The professionals have won nine of the previous 11 matches, including a 19-17 win last year on the Magnolia Course at Pinewild Country Club. The Ryder Cup-style competition is jointly conducted by the Carolinas Golf Association and the Carolinas PGA Section.
The pros have won the title five straight times with their only losses coming in 1995 and 2000.
Paul Simson of Raleigh, the Carolinas Amateur Player of the Year, is returning to keep his streak of having played in each of the events intact.
Professional David Thore of Reidsville birdied the final two holes to defeat Simson in the decisive match in last year’s event. Thore is not competing this year.
The professionals are led by Carolinas PGA champion Larry George of River Landing, Carolinas Open winner Scott Medlin of The Carolina and Assistants champion Gus Ulrich of Pinewild.
Other professionals competing are Steve Isley of Oak Island, Rick Morton of Jacksonville, Billy Anderson of Wilmington, Bryan Sullivan of Kitty Hawk and Jerry Haas of Winston-Salem.
Amateurs joining Simson are Mike Goodes of Reidsville, John Finster of Wake Forest, Dale Fuller of Raleigh, Danny Gurley of Chapel Hill, Graham Bannister of Raleigh, Dean Channell of Cary and Skip Taylor of Flat Rock.
Eligibility of both professionals and amateurs is based on their rankings in the CPGA and CGA.
The Tar Heel Cup format is one day of four-ball matches and one day of singles matches. It is sponsored by Golfnet Inc., the CGA handicap provider.
Pine Needles, designed by legendary architect Donald Ross, opened as an inn and golf course in 1928. It has been owned since the 1950s by the late Warren (Bullet) Bell and his wife Peggy Kirk Bell.
After an extensive renovation led by architect John Fought, Pine Needles was named “Best New Remodeled Course in America” in 2005 by Golf Digest Magazine.
Play in the four-ball matches begins at 12:30 on Monday and in singles at 7:30 on Tuesday. The public is invited.
Help the Tigers: A golf tournament benefiting the Carnivore Preservation Trust (CPT), a wildlife sanctuary in Pittsboro, will be held at The Preserve Golf Club near Chapel Hill on Friday, April 21.
The entry fee is $260 per foursome or $65 per individual and includes lunch and prizes. The format is captain’s choice, and there will be a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
The mission of CPT is to offer a unique opportunity to learn about animals and their critical importance to the quality of life on earth.
CPT rescues certain key species from the exotic animal pet trade and the entertainment industry, including tigers, leopards, servals and caracals.
For information, call (919) 542-5501. Registration forms are available at CPT or at The Preserve.
