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In terms of the talent it brings to town each year, the Carpet Capital Collegiate Classic remains one of the biggest annual events for the area’s sports scene. Every year the Classic offers us a chance to see some of the nation’s top college golfers in our own backyard, doing what they do best at The Farm Golf Club in Rocky Face.
However, it often seems to remain under the radar in terms of spectators, which is too bad. If you have any interest in golf at all, this is a great chance to see some great competition — and the roster of former competitors is stocked with players who have gone on to make a name for themselves in the pro game. So while you may not know much about some of the golfers you’ll see this week, you could look back one day and say you saw them on their way to the big time.
My own favorite moment from the Classic illustrates how, while these guys are no doubt serious about the competition, they still know how to have fun while on the course. In 2005, I was walking the cart path on No. 18 toward the clubhouse — its veranda is a great place to park yourself and watch golfers try to handle the often tough pin positions on that tricky green, by the way — as Georgia State’s Joel Sjoholm was coming up the fairway.
I can’t recall if it was Saturday or Sunday of the three-day event, but the Panthers were in contention for the title, which they eventually claimed with a one-stroke victory over Florida. Sjoholm was in contention among individuals, too, after a crazy, up-and-down first round in which he made 40 on the front nine, then rallied with a 29 coming in that still stands as the tourney record for the back nine. After two rounds, he and teammate Mark Haastrup — then a freshman, he went on to win the title by two strokes — were tied for second and a shot back of Georgia’s Chris Kirk.
Anyway, I had talked to Sjoholm for a few minutes the day before, interviewing him about his solid round, whichever day it was. (He shot a 69 in each of the first two rounds, so he was happy both days.) I look over to see Sjoholm coming up the fairway, and he sees me and apparently recognizes me.
“Hey,” he says, waving. “How’s it going?”
How’s it going? I’m doing fine. I’m just watching. You’re in the middle of trying to win an individual and team title at one of the nation’s toughest college golf tournaments.
But that was Sjoholm, and that’s the approachable atmosphere you can often expect at the Classic. It’s a great chance for parents to show their kids what tournament golf is like without having to fork over money for tickets at a PGA Tour event, and a great chance to see The Farm if you’ve never had the chance.
That year’s tournament also is notable because the event was moved from its traditional date of the second weekend in September to the first weekend in November for 2005. The reason? The Farm hosted the USGA Senior Amateur that year close to when the tourney would have been held and needed to shift.
The result was a chance to see one of the prettiest parts of the county during one of the prettiest parts of the year. Pleasant weather and the fall colors bursting on the ridge behind the course made for a beautiful backdrop that weekend. I don’t think we stand a chance of the leaves changing between now and Friday, but maybe it’s not too much to hope for a second weekend in a row of weather that reminds us we’ll eventually be enjoying fall.
The tourney runs from Friday to Sunday. Do yourself a favor and go see some great college golf.
Besides that, what’s going on? Glad you asked:
• With a lot of youth in the lineup, Dalton High’s softball team has had some struggles early this season. But the Lady Catamounts have managed to keep things even in Region 7-3A play — they’re 2-2 as this week begins — and have a very winnable game on Tuesday at Cedartown, which is 7-6 overall, but 1-3 in region play.
But it’s on Thursday the Lady Cats are at home and will try to upset Heritage-Catoosa (12-2 overall, 4-0 7-3A), which is ranked No. 2 in the latest Ga.PrepCountry.com Class 3A coaches poll. A victory like that would go a long way toward building the young Lady Cats’ confidence. First pitch is at 5:55 p.m.
• Dalton and Bagley’s middle school football teams are already off and running, but Gladden and the Whitfield County middle schools will get their first look at this year’s teams with a jamboree on Saturday at Northwest Whitfield. This will be their preview to league competition that begins a week from Thursday.
• Peak Fitness is inviting members and guests to get their holiday workout in today and help someone in need at the same time.
There are more details in the Local Sports Calendar on page 32, but the facility is offering you the chance to burn a few calories and help raise funds for Joey Jones, the U.S. Marine who was injured last month in Afghanistan.
Marty Kirkland is Sports Editor of The Daily Citizen. Got something you’d like him to highlight in “What’s Going On?” Write to him at martykirkland@daltoncitizen.com.
