Seventy-one teams converged on Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Nov. 6 – 8 but only one emerged victorious: the southern California team led by Andy Means of AA Equipment was crowned winner of the John Deere World Championship.
The 22nd annual championship consisted of three rounds of golf and a shootout. Teams were divided into nine flights, based on handicaps, with the winner of each flight advancing to the shoot-out where a closest to the pin contest determined the overall champions. Players from around the world participated in the event, including representatives from the United States, Canada, Sweden, United Kingdom, Argentina, Norway, Switzerland, South Korea and Czech Republic.
“For more than two decades, this tournament has been a great way to bring together golf course management staff and John Deere personnel from all over the world,” said Cory Niehaus, tournament director. “For three days, we’re pleased our customers, distributors and staff can swap stories, renew relationships, engage in friendly competition and of course, play great golf thanks to our host Grande Dunes and its developers Burroughs and Chapin.”
With a score of 157 and closest-to-the-pin at 6’3”, the winning team included Means, Montclair, Calif.; Mike Snyder, Sun Lakes Country Club, Banning, Calif.; Ian Sturge, Hidden Valley Golf Club, Norco, Calif.; and Ron Benedict, The Newport Beach Country Club, Calif.