New England Golf Monthly's Top 25 for 2009
#1 TIGER WOODS - Tiger Wood tops our list for 2009 as the first Sportsman to reach the one billion dollar mark in career earnings. Despite contrary reports from Tiger himself in the last week it is clear that sometime before the end of 2009 Tiger Woods will become the first in history to reach this milestone. In 13 years as a professional golfer Tiger has set a new mark for not only wins at his young age of 34 years old, but also for income from endorsements and golf course design. Despite not winning a major in 2009 Woods still won 6 times on the PGA Tour and led the Tour with a stroke average of 68.05. Tiger in his words proclaims that Golf is merely a vehicle for him to gain awareness for his charitable foundation. He has set the mark since 2002 in earnings when he overtook Formula One Driver Michael Schumacher. In 1996 he created The Tiger Woods Foundation with his dad paving the way for a lifelong legacy of giving back to society. Through his foundation Tiger has been able to reach millions of children worldwide empowering change in their lives.
Brett Quigley #2 - Brett Quigley has unmistakably been Team New England’s most solid performer in 2009. Three-second place finishes on the tour this year vaulted Brett to over $1,4000.000 in winnings. At the Deutsche Bank Championship this year we asked Brett what more could he do. He responded: I could win.
Tim Petrovic #3 - Talk about a great year Tim made 17 of 30 cuts this year and carded 10 top 25 finishes in doing so. His third place finish at Turning Stone was his best of the year earning him almost $350,000. Tim in his last three events has had two top 10 finishes.
Tom Watson #4 - Tom was the Honoree at this years 60th Francis Ouimet Banquet held in Boston on April 27th. Watson was awarded the 14th Lifelong Contribution to Golf Award by the Ouimet Fund. During his speech Tom talked of having just one more chance at a major and how much it would mean to him. He got his wish at this years British Open.
Kevin Johnson #5 - After years on the Nationwide Tour 42 year old Kevin Johnson from Plymouth, Massachusetts graduates to the PGA Tour rookie class with victories at The Rex Hospital Open and Knoxville open and 9 other top 25 finishes. Kevin finished 13th on the Nationwide Tour money list.
Fran Quinn #6 - Fran, who is from the Worcester area, has played in over 325 events on various tours. In 2009 he cracked into the PGA tour by finishing under the bubble at 25 on the money list. At age 44 he will be a rookie next year on the PGA Tour. His win at the Albertsons Boise Open in September put him in position.
James Driscoll #7 - Jim, from Brookline, Massachusetts, has been a steady performer on the tour since 2002. his 2nd place finish in Valero, Texas insured his card for 2010. With that finish Jim had the opportunity this year to play in the British Open. He is at 112 on the money list for 2009 with just a few events to play.
Anna Grzebien #8 - Anna has had a great year and currently sits at 63 on the LPGA money list at over $160,000 in earnings. In her second year on the tour she has broken out. In 18 events she made 13 cuts and carded a tie for 17th in the U.S. Women’s Open. She will have full status in 2010.
David Adamonis #9 - Truly an icon in New England golf is lost. For our youth of New England David was to golf what Bobby Orr was to hockey. He gave so many the desire to get out and play competitive golf and learn the meaning of the game. We all shall never forget.
The U. S. Challenge Cup #10 - Trevor Murphy, Mike Welch, and Kevin Silva, all alumni of the U.S. Challenge Cup, play in the 2009 U.S. Open in Beth Page on Long Island. In addition, many others Monday qualified for PGA Tour or Nationwide Tour events throughout the year.
Michael Sim #11 - With 3 wins Mike get a bye to the PGA Tour. He finished #1 on the Nationwide Tour money list and finished second in the Tour Championship. He was known to travel to Rhode Island for the Northeast Amateur and USGA Amateur Qualifiers.
Matt Paraziale # 12 - Matt, who plays out of Thorne Lea in Brocton, went on in 2009 to win the New England Amateur. The last two Bay State golfers who won the event were Mike Welch in 2003 and 2004 and James Renner in 2005.
Rob Oppenheim #13 - Rob of Andover, Ma becomes the 5th player in the 100 years of MGA history to win both the Massachusetts Open and The Massachusetts Amateur Championship.
Dan Woltman #14 - Dan suffered from the Swine Flu for three weeks prior to the Northeast Amateur and shattered the tournament record firing a 4-day total of 11 under par for the victory.
Jim Remy # 15 - For the first time in their history, The PGA of America choose New Englander Jim Remy as their President. Jim is the General Manager at Okemo Valley Golf Club in Ludlow, Vermont.
Jennifer Song #16 - Jennifer, a Business major at USC, won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship in match play at Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, Massachusetts.
Brittany Altomare #17 - Brittany, an 18-year-old graduate of Shrewsbury High School, earned a spot in the 2009 U.S. Women’s Public Links Championship and was eventually defeated by Jennifer Song, the 2009 Champion.
The U.S Amateur #18 - Matt Broome, R.I., Cameron Wilson, CT., and Peter Uihlein, MA representing New England all compete in The U.S. Amateur at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla.
Dana Harrity # 19 - Dana, who plays out of North Hamptons Abenaqui Country Club, made it to the quarter final matches of the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur in Hot Springs, Va..
Ken Green #20 - Despite a tragic car wreck in June where Ken lost his girlfriend, brother, dog, and his right leg he has vowed to return to competitive golf and is working hard to get there.
