California superintendent takes top prize at PvP event

Austin, Texas – Ben Crenshaw and Justin Leonard drew attention at the People vs. the Pros event at Barton Creek Resort in Austin, Texas, Sept. 12. But teeing off in front of the pros were Rafael Martinez and Greg Wiles in the Superintendent’s Cup presented by BASF. Martinez won the match-play event. It ended on the 15th hole of the Fazio Foothills Course with Martinez up four holes with three to play. Martinez, superintendent at the 18-hole Via Verde Country Club in San Dimas, Calif., won $10,000 and $10,000 of BASF product for one year. Wiles, superintendent at the Links of Echo Springs in Johnstown, Ohio, won $5,000 for his second-place finish.

Rafael Martinez lines up a putt en route to winning the 2005 Superintendent's Cup.

This was Martinez’s first time playing in a People vs. the Pros event and Wiles’ second year in a row playing in the event.

The day before the Superintendent’s Cup, it rained heavily for the better part of the day, eliminating a third round of golf for the amateurs. Despite the rain, Martinez says the course was in good shape and was pretty dry.

Factoring in handicaps, Martinez teed off four strokes behind Wiles, but he eventually gained ground. The match was even after the first six holes. Then it was all Martinez from there. He was up one hole after eight and up three holes after the 10th. After the 14th hole, he was up four holes – making the match dormie.

Martinez and Wiles say the course was difficult to walk, which affected their games, however, the overcast day helped a bit.

Wiles’ strategy was the bump-and-run style of play.

“I’m a superintendent, I don’t do this,” Wiles says. “I play about six times a year. It’s a hard course to walk. It took a toll on me. I wish I was in better shape.”

Greg Wiles battled the weather and fatique, but managed to take home $5,000 for a second-place finish.

Wiles, who had struggled with testicular cancer in the mid-90s, is still trying to regain his weight and shape as a result of his previous chemotherapy treatments.

But before the Superintendent’s Cup could be played, Martinez had to play against Matt Curl, superintendent at the nine-hole Indian Creek Country Club in Fairbury, Ill., in a three-hole (16th, 17th and 18th) playoff on the same course.

Curl, who was playing in his first People vs. the Pros tournament, made par on the 16th hole, but Martinez made a birdie by chipping in from the approach over a water feature.

“I had butterflies in my stomach before the playoff,” he says. “So it was a big relief to have that chip in. The day was going in my direction.”

After the 16th hole, they both bogied the 17th, which is a par three, and both made par on the 18th. Curl, who has a four handicap, won $2,500 for coming in third place.

“The greens were tricky, but I was able to adjust,” he says.

After the first two days of scoring, Wiles entered the Superintendent’s Cup with a net score of 147 after shooting a net 81 on the first day and a net 66 on the second day. Curl and Martinez finished tied for second after the first two days with a net score of 153. Martinez shot net scores of 77 and 76, while Curl shot nets scored of 78 and 75.

Matt Curl lost in a three-hole playoff before the finals to eventual champion Rafael Martinez.

Wiles and Martinez were grateful for the opportunity to be part of the event.
“I’m thankful, I’m here,” Wiles says. “It’s a fantastic experience. You can’t beat it.”

“I love golf, I love to play,” Martinez says. “The service of everybody was great. BASF was a great host.”

Asked what Wiles will do with the money, he says his winnings will be spent on furniture and remodeling his home. Asked what Martinez will do with the $10,000 he won, he says: “Ask my wife.”