Players hope for good weather at Greene County Open

BROCK BOYD [Order this photo]

"It ought to be a good tournament once again this year," Beard said. "There is a chance for rain but we just hope it will still be a good weekend."

Beard said as of Thursday afternoon there were around 60 golfers signed up, which is right around the average for the annual event.

"We have right around 60 so far this year. It's always about the same every year," the pro said. "The weather was pretty good last year, and it looks like we are going to have a turnout so I am hoping for good weather."

Last year there were 52 golfers who completed the two-day tournament, with Brock Boyd emerging as the overall champion. It was Boyd's first county championship, and his father, Benji, also claimed low score in the first flight. Brock mentioned his game hasn't been up to par so far this year.

"Personally I am not playing as good as what I was last year," Boyd said. "But the thing about this tournament is you just have to go out and put together two solid rounds. Whoever does that will fare well."

Beard, who is a two-time champion, said there is any number of golfers who could come out on top this year. Beard carded the low score two years ago as well as in 1992. He seemed pretty humble about his chances.

"I was fortunate to win a couple years ago," Beard said. "My expectations for myself are not all that high anymore. The field is pretty wide open with about 10 guys or so that could win."

Some of the players Beard mentioned that should be in contention would be both Brock and Benji Boyd, Tom Jones (six-time champion), Brock Anderson, Caleb Dunkerly, Jordan Bradbury, Shane Thornton, Chris Taylor as well himself.

He further mentioned that whoever displays the best mid-range to short game will also have a good chance to emerge.

"Ultimately I feel like every year it is going to come down who plays the best around the greens," Beard said. "It's going to come down to who hits the best shots from 100 yards in.

"The way I feel you also have to have a good first round, play smart and hang around in the second round and don't get overly aggressive."

Boyd also echoed the same thoughts about the importance of the first day.

"I think right around a 138 is going to be the winning score this year with the way some people are playing," Boyd said. "But it's all about Saturday and going as low as you can and holding off the competition on Sunday."

Although he is the defending champion, Boyd said he feels more relaxed going into the Open this year.

"I feel like there is no pressure 'cause I have been there before now," he said. "The monkey is off my back so to speak and if I don't win it's no big deal, I've already done that. So I feel like winning another one will be easier than winning the first."

As for the elder Boyd, he said his goal is the same as it is every year.

"I look to make the championship flight and just make the best of it," Benji said. "Some years I do and some years I don't, but that's just the game of golf. But like most years I think this year is pretty wide open."

According to Beard and both Boyds, Anderson and Taylor appear to be the two heavy favorites going into the weekend.

"If I had to pick two favorites I would have to name (Brock) Anderson and Chris (Taylor), neither have won it," Beard said. "They both are very tough but just haven't gotten over the hump yet. But there are several players in that championship flight that will be in contention."

Last year Brock Boyd defeated Taylor by one stroke (140-141) with Beard (145) and Anderson (146) finishing third and fourth respectively.

Benji Boyd won the first flight with a 36-hole total of 147, with Caleb Dunkerly carding a 153. Other flight winners were Shane Thornton (152), Brett Dunkerly (155) Keith Swihart (162), Ken French (184) and Brian Warnick (208).

Each participant can make their tee-time with any other golfer at anytime on Saturday. The field will be flighted after the first 18 holes for Sunday's final round starting at noon.

Past Greene County Championship Winners

1930 -- Percy Myers

1931 -- Sandy Taylor

1937 -- John Watkins

1938 -- Babe Brown

1939 -- Joe Potochnik

1941 -- Walter Scholl

1942 -- Bill Moore

1945 -- Robert Humphreys

1946 -- Robert Humphreys

1947 -- Bill Moore

1948 -- Bill Moore

1949 -- William Williams

1950 -- William Williams

1951 -- Kenneth Ballard

1952 -- Bob Good

1953 -- Kenneth Ballard

1954 -- Sherell Johnson Jr.

1955 -- Sherell Johnson Jr.

1956 -- Sherell Johnson Jr.

1957 -- William Williams

1958 -- Bill Pirtle

1959 -- William Williams

1960 -- Kenneth Inman

1961 -- Dave Richardson

1962 -- Bob Elkin

1963 -- Bill Gayso

1964 -- Bill Gayso

1965 -- Bill Gayso

1969 -- Ray Goddard

1970 -- Ray Goddard

1971 -- Gene Verostko

1972 -- Orville Poe

1973 -- Dick Bock

1974 -- Randy Smith

1976 -- Randy Goodman

1977 -- Randy Smith

1978 -- Joe Spinks

1979 -- Tom Jones

1980 -- Tom Jones

1981 -- Ted Bishop

1982 -- Tom Jones

1983 -- Mark Pirtle

1984 -- Jimmy Shanks

1985 -- Randy Smith

1986 -- Tom Jones

1987 -- Randy Miller

1988 -- Randy Miller

1989 -- Randy Smith

1990 -- Randy Miller

1991 -- Randy Miller

1992 -- Bart Beard

1993 -- Randy Smith

1994 -- Randy Smith

1995 -- Chad House

1996 -- Randy Smith

1997 -- Joe Spinks

1998 -- Randy Smith

1999 -- Tom Jones

2000 -- Tim Fish

2001 -- Tom Jones

2002 -- Randy Smith

2003 -- Randy Smith

2004 -- Chad House

2005 -- Troy Gilespie

2006 -- Nick Gillaspy

2007 -- Bart Beard

2008 -- Brock Boyd

10-time winner

Randy Smith -- 1974, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2003.

Six-time winner

Tom Jones -- 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1999, 2001.

Four-time winners

William Williams -- 1949, 1950, 1957, 1959.

Randy Miller -- 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991.

Three-time winners

Bill Moore -- 1942, 1947, 1948.

Sherell Johnson Jr. -- 1954, 1955, 1956

Bill Gayso -- 1963, 1964, 1965.

Two-time winners

Bart Beard -- 1992, 2007

Chad House -- 1995, 2004.

Robert Humphreys -- 1945, 1946.

Kenneth Ballard -- 1951, 1953.

Ray Goddard -- 1969, 1970.

Joe Spinks -- 1978, 1997.