Ron Dobosz, superintendent at Ludlow Country Club in Ludlow, Mass., will represent golf course superintendents nationwide during the 2006 BASF People vs. the Pros golf tournament. He will have a chance to compete head-to-head against professional golfer Retief Goosen and win $50,000 for his favorite charity.
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Playing with his handicap of 2, Dobosz’ net beat out over 30 participating superintendents from the GCSA of New England during the 2006 BASF People vs. the Pros regional qualifier tournament held on July 10 at the Juniper Hills Golf Course in Northboro, Mass.
Dobosz will now go on to compete against approximately 300 other amateur qualifiers for a chance to play with his handicap against a professional golfer.
"I’m extremely excited to visit Pinehurst," Dobosz says. "I will be practicing a lot before the tournament to prepare.”
“This is our third year sponsoring these regional events and the national tournament," says Dr. Toni Bucci, business manager for BASF Professional Turf and Ornamentals. "It’s an honor to help provide a national platform to highlight the professional dedication of golf course superintendents.”
Additionally, at every regional superintendent tournament, BASF will donate $2,000 to the hosting GCSA chapter to help support their education fund.
The 2006 People vs. the Pros national tournament allows two amateurs—one in a 50-and-over division and one in a 49-and-under division—to compete head-to-head against a PGA pro in an 18-hole stroke-play match. The winner in each division, be it pro or amateur, will win $50,000 for the charity of their choice.
The 2006 championship event is scheduled for Aug.18 - 22 at Pinehurst Resort. The top amateurs with the lowest net scores from the three-day, 54-hole handicapped stroke-play event tournament will compete against either Retief Goosen (49-and-under) or Gary McCord (50-and-over) on Pinehurst No. 8 for the top charity prize.
Last year, professional golfers Justin Leonard and Ben Crenshaw defeated their amateur challengers at Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, Texas.
Pinehurst No. 8 opened in 1996 to commemorate Pinehurst's centennial year. The course, designed by Tom Fazio, incorporates signature Donald Ross features that include dips and swales around the greens, sloping greens and false fronts. As the site of the PGA Club Pro Championship in 1997 and 1998, it is a proven, championship course that challenges all who play it.
In addition to the grand prize tournament, BASF Professional Turf and Ornamentals will host the third annual BASF Superintendent’s Cup, where the top two golf course superintendents (who do not qualify to play against a pro), will compete in head-to-head match play for a $10,000 cash prize and $10,000 worth of BASF products for their home course. The runner-up will receive a $5,000 cash prize.
Rafael Martinez, superintendent at the Via Verde Country Club in San Dimas, Calif., defeated Greg Wiles of The Links at Echo Springs in Johnstown, Ohio, in the second annual Superintendent’s Cup championship at Barton Creek’s 2005 People vs. the Pros tournament.
For more information on the 2006 BASF People vs. the Pros at Pinehurst, visit www.peoplevsthepros.com. For more information on BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals, visit www.turffacts.com.