News

Michael Wog II set to defend Publinks title

Michael Wog II of Scottsdale, the 2009 Arizona Golf Association Player of the Year, is set to defend his title at the Arizona Publinks Championship to be held at Randolph North Golf Course in Tucson March 5 – 7. He will be joined by 143 elite amateur golfers in the state in the first AGA major championship of the year. The format for the Championship will be 54 holes of individual stroke play at gross with a cut after 36 holes to the low 60 + ties. 
“I was really excited when I found out that the Publinks was going to return to Randolph North.” Wog said. “I love the golf course layout and it just seems to really fit my eye and game. I would love to go out and have a repeat performance like I did last year, but I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself to do so.” Other top players scheduled to compete including 10-time AGA Player of the Year Ken Kellaney of Phoenix, a two-time past champion, Chris Kessler of Scottsdale, who was second last year in AGA Performance Points, Patrick Geare of Tucson, who was fourth in AGA Performance Points and the 2009 Masters Player of the Year and the Senior Player of the Year Frank Ellenburg of Chandler. Other past champions in the field include two-time winner Steve Dallas of Mesa, a two-time past champion and Robin McCool of Bethlehem, Penn., who captured the title in 2004. Being a past champion and Player of the Year provides extra motivation for the 27-year-old Wog. “As the Player of the Year, I feel like I should contend in every tournament I play,” he said. “I’ve continued to improve this offseason and I’m excited for this year. I know that I may have some off days or weeks, but I definitely think that what I’m working on is taking me in the right direction.” For Geare, a longtime resident of Tucson, who grew up and learned to play golf at Randolph, the course holds a special fondness for him and it doesn’t hurt that his game is in good shape. “Last year I was very pleased with how the season turned out,” he said. “I have enjoyed playing the course for many years so knowledge of the course won’t be a problem. In past Publinks I haven’t played very well and I am hoping to improve this year.” It’s not just the players who will be bringing their best game to the tee. The staff at Randolph has been busy ensuring the course will be a good test of golf. “It’s a good golf course and the city of Tucson should be given a lot of credit because they put a lot of effort in getting it ready for this tournament,” Geare added. “I played the Roy Tatum Best Ball tournament last weekend and the course was in excellent shape and I’m sure it will continue to be in great shape this coming weekend.”