Georgia Narrowly Wins Southeastern Challenge Matches
Georgia couldn't have written a better ending. With two-year bragging rights on the line Rick Cloninger of Dacula held his team's fate in his hands. Luckily the 1999 Player of the Year came through and the Georgia team came away with their first victory in ten years at the Southeastern Challenge Matches held at Idle Hour Club in Macon October 21-22.
Georgia started the day with a 2 1/2 point lead over the other twelve man teams from Florida and Alabama. They had played well yesterday in four-ball play winning five of their six matches. Georgia tied with Florida and Alabama in the afternoon foursome matches. Today's format was three-ball play. In this format the golfers played individually against two players from the other teams. For each player there was a possible two points to be won since they were simultaneously playing a match against both players.
Florida fought back in this format actually winning the day by 1 point over Georgia. But the overall championship came down to the last match left on the course. Cloninger was paired with Claud Cooper of Birmingham, AL and Joe Alfieri of Lutz, FL needing to win at least one point to tie Florida for the championship. He came to the par 3 18th hole I Up on Alfieri and All Square with Cooper. Cloninger made par and Alfieri missed his birdie chance to halve the point. Cooper then three-putted, giving Georgia the winning point. Cooper had closed out Alfieri in their match on the 17th hole.
The totals for the championship were Georgia 25 1/2, Florida 24 '1/2, and Alabama 13. These matches have been contested since 1989. They have been held eight times now having been suspended in 1992 and 1993. The matches switched to a biennial format in 1996. Florida had previously won the last four matches held. This was Georgia's second win having won in 1990. The matches will next be held in 2002 in Alabama.
