The 2007 “Gate” - Summer Staple an Early Christmas Present in ‘07

Exciting renovations to the Lagoon Course at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club have resulted in a one-time move of the area’s top pro-am, the Gate Petroleum PGA Invitational, to December 16-18 this year. But the re-design by renowned Jacksonville-based a chitect Bobby Weed should make the wait worthwhile and the $5,000 check to the winner, a week before Christmas, will keep interest at its traditionally high level.

The three-day tourney is unique with its intriguing mix of exclusively-local pros and elite amateurs. No one’s flying in from out of the region to steal the title, meaning the bragging rights for the winner really mean something, and the list of past champions traces the excellence of golf in Northeast Florida over the past quartercentury.

Michael Wilson, the Head Professional at the Country Club of Orange Park is expected back to defend his title (his third Gate, but first in 15 years), earned in a play off victory over his boss, CCOP General Manager Charles Raulerson. Other past champions include Jim Gilleon, Cary Splane, Ted Goin and 2006 National PGA Club Pro Champion Ron Philo, Jr.

This year’s entrants will be tested by the “new” Lagoon Course, expected to open in November. Bobby Weed has completely redesigned the layout, adding 500 yards to extend the course to well over 6,000 yards, while keeping the par at 70. Eight-to-ten feet of soil on the Lagoon Course has been completely flipped over and the new MiniVerde grass that is the same as that on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass has been installed. Weed has also created a couple of his signature “half-par” holes, short par-4s that are drivable, but risky, making the Lagoon Course an even more appealing complement to the vintage 1928 Ocean Course designed by the legendary Herbert Strong that has been updated over the years by Robert Trent Jones, and most recently by Weed in 1998. The Ocean Course is home for Ponte Vedra’s “original” island green, the picturesque par-3 ninth, which will now have a sister in the new Lagoon Course’s fifth hole.

Herb Payton and Gate Petroleum have sponsored the tourney for more than two decades at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. Expect Mr. Payton to be there to hand out the hardware, maybe clad in his Santa suit, before the Gate returns to its traditional August date in ’08. More information on playing, attending, or helping sponsor the tournament will be available in October at the Ponte Vedra Inn pro shop at (904) 273-7710.

For more information on the spectacular Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, visit www.pvresorts.com