EASTERN OPEN

After seven months of anticipation, Golden Tee diehards from Michigan to Maine were given their chance to shine in the final round of the Golden Tee LIVE Regional Championships - the Golden Tee Eastern Open.

The beautiful Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY - just north of Syracuse - set the background for what was predicted to be the most competitive event of the Regional tour. Marking the conclusion of the Regional Championships and the 2006 tournament schedule, the Eastern Open was more than a tournament, but a celebration of good people, good times and amazing Golden Tee action!  ■
 

A RIVALRY FOR THE AGES

Another dramatic chapter was added to the famous rivalry history books on November 18th, 2006 as The Ohio State University Buckeyes battled the Michigan University Wolverines in a bout for a shot at the title in what was heralded as the biggest football game in NCAA history.

500 miles northeast of Ohio Stadium a different score was to be settled between those very same states, only with a smooth plastic trackball in hand, instead of a cold, leather football.

Michigan vs. Ohio to finally settle the score: Who is “Best in the East”?

Since the dawn of Golden Tee tournaments, these two states have cultivated some of the most talented and driven Golden Tee players in the game. Ohio with storied names like Dean Liakakos, Steven Tirey, Sonu Khatri and Andy Haas, and Michigan with their superstars like Jason Matkovich, Jeff McClellan, Nate Schomberg, and Paul Kovacs - these players and countless more combined to form a star-studded cast more impressive than any other region of the country.

And finally a stage was set where these titans of the trackball could battle for their home state pride along side their Golden Tee comrades from the remainder of the eastern region. So while the eyes of everyone throughout Michigan and Ohio were glued to their televisions as their colleges battled for the title, their most-talented barroom gamers honored the rivalry and settled a score of their own - Golden Tee style. ■


TEAM USA SHOOTOUT: AN EASTERN WAR FOR THE "WORLDS"

A roster spot on Golden Tee Team USA is one of the most coveted honors in the game.  4 players have already been named to the squad; Chris Eversole for being the reigning World Champion, along side Midwest region winner Matt Estepp, Western winner Rod Critchlow and Southern winner Chris Litzinger, with one more regional roster spot available for the Eastern Team USA winner.

With IT yet to announce their plans for the remaining 11 Team USA spots coming into the Eastern Open, players readied for the final Team USA shootout with the utmost focus and determination.

Impressively, ten players out of the sixteen man field have been a part of Team USA before, making the concentration of talent in the Eastern Shootout more potent than in other regions.

Round one of the Shootout came with a handful of byes due to some players who were unable to attend the event.  The lucky dogs to receive the free passes included Andy Haas, Dean Utt, Dean Liakakos, Jason Matkovich and Will Lee.  Not everyone could be so lucky, as Steven Tirey defeated home state player Stu Fox, Ohioan Sonu Khatri beat Michigan star Paul Kovacs and Jeff McClellan defeated his hometown pal, Ryan VanManen.

Round two saw all former Team USA players moving on to compete for a return trip to the Worlds.  The biggest match of the round came in two of the game’s most famous names Jason Matkovich and Dean Liakakos as Jason defeated the 5-time Player of the Year in a close match.  In addition Andy Haas defeated Dean Utt to advance to round three along with Steven Tirey who beat his Ohio pal Sonu Khatri.  Finally, Will Lee’s efforts to represent New York State were ended by one of the game’s top players, Jeff McClellan.

The semi-finals gave spectators the first glimpse of the Ohio - Michigan rivalry as four of the states' best faced one another for a chance to advance.  After a hard-fought match, McClellan bested Tirey to move on to the final round.  At the same time, Ohioan Andy Haas defeated Jason Matkovich in front of an excited crowd on the big screen. 

Two of the best players in the country and good friends Andy Haas - originally of Stow, OH - met Jeff McClellan - of Grand Rapids, MI - keeping the rivalry alive in the final round of the tournament.  The duo was neck-and-neck on Palm Springs as the crowd watched every swing on the big screen in awe.  Then on the 9^th hole, known as the "playground hole", Jeff fell on some unfortunate luck that gave Andy the lead and ultimately the win!  Andy Haas, a clear favorite coming into the event, defeated Jeff McClellan to win the Eastern Team USA Shootout and take the 5^th roster spot on Golden Tee’s Team USA!

In a post match interview the now three-time Team USA member said, "Wow, this is great!  This was a lot of fun and I can't wait to be on the team again this year.  I'm really looking forward to it!" he added. ■
 

Congratulations Andy Haas on Winning the Eastern Team USA Shootout!
Gary asks Jeff McClellan, "What went wrong out there?"	Jeff McClellan VS. Andy Haas	This could be the beginning of a great day for Andy Haas!