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Players ready for cooler weather

By DAVE THEALL, Golf
Published January 5, 2008

It's hard to say whether the low temperatures this weekend will affect the players in the 82nd annual New Year's Invitational tournament at St. Petersburg Country Club.

Tournament veteran Mike Barbosa, who finished eighth last year with scores of 71-71-68-72 for a final 6-under 282, doesn't think the weather will affect the outcome.

"Sure, it will be windy and chilly this weekend, but most of the top players have dealt with that before," said Barbosa, who graduated from Georgia Tech in 2006 and competed with his team for an NCAA title every year he was there. "The weather will affect the scores but equally, for the most part.

"Some players do better in cold weather; it doesn't necessarily change the challenge of the tournament. Certainly, someone will figure it out."

Barbosa, who won the Cardinal (N.C.) Invitational in 2005, said playing in northwest Georgia for four years gave him considerable experience in cold weather. But more importantly, he has only played in four tournaments since August, when he entered Stetson School of Law.

"I've still practiced a lot, mostly chipping and putting, but I don't have the time now to play full rounds," said Barbosa, who turns 25 on Monday. "Those practice sessions have helped keep my skills up.

"I'm confident I can still be competitive in this prestigious tournament, which has become stronger over the past five or six years with more college players. They love the opportunity to come south in January to play on an excellent course where they will be treated well in a laid-back atmosphere with great hospitality at St. Petersburg Country Club."

Barbosa was hesitant to predict a winner, since nine of the past 10 tournament winners were college stars who went on to play professionally. However, he's aware of one precocious teenager who has already made his mark on the national junior scene.

That is Peter Uihlein of Bradenton, who has twice won the American junior golfer of the year award.

Last year, Uihlein, 18, opened with a 67, one stroke behind Jonathan Mount of Tennessee. However, the David Leadbetter Academy product followed up with a bogey-less 66 for 9-under 135 and a narrow lead over Major Manning of Augusta State, the eventual winner at 15-under 273.

Jeff Klauk of Ponta Vedra and Florida Southern set the tournament record of 21-under 267 in 2000. He turned pro later that year.

The other recent winners who have moved on to professional success in recent years include: University of Florida graduate Steve Scott (1999); Chamberlain High's Akio Sadakata (2001); University of Kentucky's John Holmes (2003); University of Indiana's Jeff Overton (2004-05); Vanderbilt's Luke List (2006); and Manning (2007).

John Corzilius of Nokomis, who won in 2002, is the last winner who hasn't turned pro. But he has something none of the other recent winners have: He has three championship trophies. He also won the event in 1993 and 1997.

All-time tournament leader Buddy Alexander, who grew up on the course when it was called Lakewood Country Club, has won the tournament six times, most recently in 1991. Alexander, the men's golf coach at the University of Florida, also has a U.S. Amateur title among his credits; he won in 1986 at Shoal Creek, Alabama, defeating Chris Kite, 4 and 3, in the final.

This year's field includes 10 players with handicaps of plus-4. They are Scott Yow and Matthew Galloway, U. of West Florida; Tyler Brown, UF; Ransom Hare, Richland College; Mike Jensen, Cal Berkeley; Alex Martin, Indiana; Phil Pettitt, Tennessee; Kyle Stough, Virginia; and Andy Winings and Ben Fuqua, Kentucky.

On Sunday morning at 9:30, they will tee off in a shotgun format from the back tees at 6,718 yards.

[Last modified January 4, 2008, 21:25:43]