Low scores predicted for Lilac Invitational
The field won’t be as large as he once envisioned, but John Durgan still expects some great golf and ridiculously low scores to surface when the 47th annual Lilac Invitational kicks off its four-day run this morning at The Fairways at West Terrace golf course.
“I’m a little disappointed we didn’t get a few more golfers, especially in the professional division,” admitted Durgan, who serves as president of the Lilac Association and golf operations director at The Fairways. “But, hey, we’re still going to have a great tournament and a lot of fun.”
Durgan, whose late father, Joe, founded the tournament, had hoped to have at least 120 competitors for this year’s edition of the region’s only 72-hole tournament. Instead, only about 100 have signed up, which means the payoffs – in the pro division, at least – won’t be as lucrative as first hoped.
“Thanks to our sponsors, though, we’re still going to be able to pay the winner $5,000,” Durgan said, adding that Cassel Promotions has stepped up to serve as title sponsor of this year’s Lilac.
The field of professionals will number about 30, with five of those competing in the senior division.
Defending champion Jason Boyd, who shot a record-low score of 29-under-par 259 to win last year’s event, will not be back to defend his title. But several members of the California-based A.G. Spanos Tour, including Troy Kelly and last year’s Lilac runner-up, Conner Robbins, will be on hand to test the 6,408-yard, par-72 layout at The Fairways.
“Troy Kelly is probably the hottest golfer in the field right now,” Durgan said of the 27-year-old Kelly, a Lilac regular, who picked up a check for $45,000 after winning the $250,000 A.G. Spanos California Open less than two weeks ago. “But there are several others capable of shooting some low, low scores.”
Among them are Spanos Tour veterans John Cook and Tom Robillard, along with former champion Storm Gleim and local professionals Pete Sisich and Todd Pence.
According to Durgan, the golf course is in near-perfect condition.
“The feedback we’re getting is that the course is in great shape – especially the greens, which aren’t lightning fast, but very, very smooth,” he said. “The greens aren’t soft, but they’re not really firm either, so I know these guys will be throwing darts at the pins out there.”
Durgan said he has heard some criticism about the general lack of a rough at The Fairways, but noted they let it grow for last year’s Lilac, and “the big sticks lit it up, anyway.”
“My philosophy is to let them shoot the best round of their life – everybody, for four days,” Durgan added. “That’s what I want to see. I think its fun to watch these guys shoot lights out.”
Tee times for today’s opening round will start at 7 a.m. and run through 1 p.m. A field of approximately 70 amateurs will compete in four flights ranging from scratch golfers to 18-handicappers.
The traditional barbecue will be held following Saturday’s third round, with the final round of competition scheduled for Sunday.