A tough opening round on The Mountain Course at La Quinta Resort wasn't enough to derail the hopes and competitiveness of PGA WEST Member Brian White during the recent Golf Channel Amateur Tour National Championship.
The tournament, featuring 800 participants, was held on all Resort Courses of PGA WEST and The La Quinta Resort Mountain Course earlier this month. Players qualified for participation in the national finals by accumulating points during monthly events held in the Palm Springs area and other regions of the U.S. during this past year.
Playing in his second GCAT Championship, White found himself in 36th place in the "Senior Hogan" Flight (8-12 index) after day one. Struggles on the par three holes of the Pete Dye
Course held him back in the standings.
White was the only Member of PGA WEST playing in the event. The 10-year Club Member followed up his opening round with scores of 80, 80 and 81 on The Greg Norman and Nicklaus Tournament Courses to climb in the standings and finish in 8th place, an excellent turnaround.
While his goal was to win the "Senior Hogan" flight on his home courses, Brian was pleased with his comeback success and final position. He also felt pride, as a PGA WEST Member, as fellow participants commented on our properties. "I met and competed with players from all over the United States and Puerto Rico," he said. "Everyone I played with commented on how beautiful the courses were and what a great place La Quinta must be to live in."
White, who was the top senior on the Palm Springs Golf Channel "tour" last year, looks forward to having another shot at winning his flight, should the Amateur Tour Championship return to PGA WEST in the future. Here's hoping his third time is the charm that propels him to the top in the competition. Congratulations to Brain on all his golf achievements!
