At Wakefield Plantation, the 2017 Rex Hospital Open was another resounding success.
Conrad earned his first Web.com Tour title by beating hometown favorite Chesson Hadley with a par in strong rain on the first hole of a playoff. Shindler closed with a 4-under 67 to match Hadley at 15-under 269.
The 29-year-old former Texas A&M player earned $117,000 to jump from 50th to fifth on the money list with $152,528 in his rookie season. The top 25 at the end of the regular season earn their PGA Tour cards. Hadley — a Raleigh native and the 2013 tournament winner who was born at UNC REX Hospital, and his wife had both of their kids there — earned $70,200 and moved up to No. 18 with $101,632.
This was the 30th playing of the Rex Open and the 13th consecutive year at Wakefield Plantation. Any Web.com event takes a tremendous amount of effort to make it a successful tournament. Wakefield Director of Golf Josh Points shares highlights of the event.
For starters, Points notes that Wakefield Plantation Superintendent Todd Lawrence and his staff did an amazing job preparing the course and making the field one of the strongest of the year on the Web.com Tour.
“We know that we run a great event because of the number of PGA Tour players that play,” says Points. “That number will be the highest of any Web event this year. They come to Wakefield because the condition of the course is as good, if not better, than most on the PGA Tour.”
Points says the effort starts with Tournament Director Brian Krusoe, who has helped turn “The Boardwalk” during the event into one of Raleigh’s most family-friendly environments. “The face painting, bounce houses, snow cones, and food trucks are such a great part of the event that gives every family an opportunity to introduce golf to young kids.”
Because of attractions like these, many players bring their families to the event — which is not typical on the Web.com Tour, where funds tend to be tight. “I was impressed and proud to see players with their parents, wives, and children,” says Points. “Players want their families to enjoy a great week, too.”
At the end of the day, the volunteers are the backbone of the event.
“It’s great to see members like Helen Lundie working 100-hour weeks to make the event a success,” says Points. “Christine Perkins does an awesome job arranging player housing, which is one of the key reasons our event is special. The number of members that open their homes and form lasting relationships with players is something we are all proud of.”
Points said he loses track of all the compliments he receives from players, tournament partners at Rex, and the staff of the PGA Tour. Jim Duncan, Web.com Tour vice president of rules, competition, and administration, gave The Rex Open one of the best compliments imaginable.
“He said, ‘Coming to this event feels like coming home in many ways,’” recalls Points. “We have a young club, and the Rex Hospital Open helps us create history.”