The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta ~ August 24 & 25, 2007

Heat, humidity, and sweat - classic Deep South in summertime! Fresh off the highly successful Midwest Open, the Golden Tee LIVE Regional Championships road show visited "Hot'lanta for a little southern hospitality and the 2007 Southeast Open.

But it wasn't the heat causing the sweat. GT players had the cool concrete walls and strong air conditioning of the Westin Peachtree Plaza protecting them. But with some of the greatest talent ever assembled in one event the heat was definitely on. And every big name was sweating it out.

TWO LEGENDS

One came looking for it. The other came to defend it.

To be a legend in any sport you have to redefine it. You have to change it. You have to become something unattainable, unbeatable and larger than life. You have to be a Babe Ruth, a Michael Jordan, a Muhammed Ali.

Every sport has legends - Golden Tee is no different. Chris Eversole is - in every sense of the word - a legend. The man whose very visage graces the game is a two-time World Champion, a four-time Team USA member and two-time Player of the Year. In the Golden Tee universe, Chris Eversole is everything a Golden Tee player aspires to be.

But in recent years he claims to have slipped some. Was he still one of the best out there? Absolutely -but he was no longer the force he once was. So when he walked into the Westin, in his hometown, his mission was simple - make sure people remember how good he is.

Then there's Andy Haas. The Stow, OH native is arguably the best player in the game today. All he has to do is show up and he's the favorite to win any tournament. But despite his talent he had yet to rise to the level of an Eversole, a Steven Sobe, a Ryan Bourgeois, or a Graig Kinzler.

For Eversole and Haas, Atlanta had it all. Respect. Pride. Fame. It also featured a talent-laden field unlike any other region. It would come down to who would step up and take it. The challenge was on!

PUB CHAMPIONSHIP STRIKES MIDNIGHT FOR CINDERELLAS

Upsets. What upsets?

When it comes to the Pub Championship upsets are the name of the game. Big names fall as easily as no names in the event's closest-to-the-pin format. It's considered the great equalizer.

But not in Atlanta!

"Sick," was the only way former Team USA member Sean Gervais could describe the final four of the 2007 Southeast Pub Championship. And he should know – he was one of them!

While some big names fell early in the 82-person field, it was the lack of Cinderella’s that had everyone in shock. Champs vs. champs. Team USA members pitted against each other. Once the first three rounds were over the only players left all seemed to have the title of 'former Team USA member' attached to them.

It all started when two Regional Pub Champions from 2006, who both hail from Charlotte, had to face off against each other in round three. Paul Kovac's of Stool Pigeons knocked it close and held off Baxter Stegall of Fox & Hound to continue his chance at repeating.

Down to eight contestants, two 2006 Regional Champions faced off for a spot in the final four. Top online qualifier Andy Haas representing North Hill Arcade in Akron, OH knew the shot but couldn't get it close enough to beat Gervais playing out of Green Parrot Pub in Tampa, FL.

Gervais joined a who's who of GT players in the final four with two-time World Champion Chris Eversole of Mr. C's in Smyrna, GA, former Team USA member Will Lee of Snafu in New York City, and 2006 top online qualifier in the East Ryan McCook of Your Place in Jacksonville, FL.

In the semis, Lee and McCook made quick work of Gervais and Eversole. Eversole took home $250 for third place while Gervais pocketed $100 for fourth.

Going into the finals McCook said his strategy was simply to "hit it closer than Will Lee." This "profound" tactic worked! McCook stuck his first shot 6.22 feet away on a rainy Rustic Bridge hole #3 and walked away with the pewter mug and a $1000 check! Lee took home $500 for his effort.

"I feel fantastic," McCook said after taking the title. "I’m definitely putting this trophy on the mantle (laughs)."

Southeast Pub Championship 2007 Final Results

Congratulations Ryan McCook on Winning the Southeast Open Pub Championship!