2007 Regions Cup to feature 2 majors, expanded matches

There's nothing wrong with the Regions Cup amateur golf tournament series.

Yes, the numbers were down in some tournaments this season, but the overall quality of play was excellent, thanks in part to newcomers Jamie Felder and Eric Ledford, the top two players in the regular division.

The senior division also welcomed two strong players to the 50-over set in Kenny Larry and Glen Hurt.

Regions Cup executive director Brooks Blackburn thought there was more excitement surrounding the spring/summer series than there has been for some time.

So why is it being overhauled for 2007?

"Because you always want to get better," said Blackburn, who is the Midland Valley Country Club head pro.

Indeed, the changes for 2007 - some of which are still being worked out - will only make the nine-tournament series more attractive to amateur golfers.

In fact, it might bring back some former regulars to play a full schedule and encourage top amateurs who don't participate to give it a shot.

The changes show Regions Bank's continued commitment to the nine-tournament amateur tournament series which runs from May through late August.

Regions Bank, which took over as the title sponsor in 1999 of what had been the Cadillac Cup, plans to do it up right for 2007.

And not coincidently, 2007 happens to be the 20th anniversary of the series.

"We're just trying to do something that might create a little more interest," said Regions Bank Chairman Boone Knox, who came up with the new ideas.

They include:

- Two of the tournaments will become major championships.

- The expansion of the season-ending Regions Cup Matches from two days to three so it can follow the format of the professional Ryder Cup Matches.

Unlike those matches, which are held biennially and rotate between America and in Europe, the Regions Cup Matches will stay at Thomson's Belle Meade Country Club. The matches pit the top players from Georgia against those from South Carolina.

"It will be just like the Ryder Cup, except they won't have to fly across the country. All they have to do is go cross the bridge," Knox said, referring to members of the South Carolina team.

The Camellia Classic and the Orville White Cup have been designated as the two major championship. The Camellia tournament, at Belle Meade, is annually held midway through the season. The Orville White Cup, at Graniteville's Midland Valley Country Club, will be the final event of 2007.

Those dates are important because of the weight the majors will carry. Regions Cup points, which go to top 20 finishers in the regular division and the top 10 in the senior division, will be doubled for the majors. Instead of earning 75 points for a regular-division win, the major champs will earn 150, and on down the line. Senior winners will earn 100 points instead of the normal 50.

The points determine the makeup of the Georgia and South Carolina teams that square off in the Regions Cup Matches at the end of the season.

Also, the regular division and senior division winner of the majors will receive the maximum payout in gift certificates allowed by the U.S. Golf Association. This year that is $750, or more than double the average gift certificate payout in a Regions Cup event.

"I think it's going to be fantastic," said North Augusta senior golfer Lance Jones, who has played in a record 14 consecutive Regions Cup Matches. "I think it's going to increase the competition and the play during the year. It's good timing to do something new and add a little more excitement to it."

No one is more excited about the expansion of the Regions Cup Matches than Knox.

"We're going to a complete Ryder Cup format, just like they do," he said.

That means 36 holes of team play on both Friday and Saturday, and 18-hole singles matches Sunday.

"The Ryder Cup is so popular and everybody loves the idea, the best I can tell," Knox said. "We've got all these good players here together, why not copy it?"

If it duplicates the Ryder Cup, then the scoring format will have to change. Currently, there are 3 points available in each Regions Cup Match - 1 for winning the front nine, 1 for winning the back nien and 1 for winning the overall 18. In the Ryder Cup, each match is worth 1 point, to the team that wins the overall match.

Also, because of the extra day, the Regions Cup Matches dates are expected to change. They are annually played the second weekend of September, which is when the Georgia-South Carolina football game is held.

"More than anything, it's working out the details," Blackburn said.

After Knox made the announcement of the format change to the matches, local Regions Bank president Jimmy Rigsby wondered if the six seniors on the respective teams would be up to playing 36 holes in each of the first two days.

His fears were quickly eased.

"Five rounds in three days is a piece of cake," said Senior Player of the Year Chuck Withers.

"All these guys are in good shape, and we're riding (golf carts). I don't see that being a problem. You don't see any seniors out of shape out here."

Said fellow senior Larry: "It's not even worth talking about. We're ready to do it."

It appears there will be two differences between the Ryder Cup and Regions Cup Matches. The Ryder Cup has 12 players and Regions Cup will continue with 14 (eight in the regular division and six seniors).

Another difference is in the first two days of team play in the Ryder Cup, four players sit out each session. All 14 will be play each session of the Regions Cup under the new format.

Knox clearly enjoys supporting amateur golf through the Regions Cup. He doesn't even have a contract with the series, which costs Regions Bank more than $5,000 a year to put on the matches.

"We just agreed to do it," Knox said. "And as long as I'm living, we'll keep doing it. If Regions doesn't want to do it, then I'll do it."