Georgia Tech #ProJackets Golf Report

THE FLATS – Seth Reeves returns to the PGA Tour for the first time since 2019, joining four other Yellow Jackets in the 2021-22 PGA Tour season opener … Korn Ferry Tour qualifying school begins this week … Andy Ogletree returns to action after five months off due to hip surgery … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.

*****

FIVE JACKETS IN ACTION AS NEW PGA TOUR SEASON BEGINS

Seth Reeves, who finished 18^th on the Korn Ferry Tour regular-season points list in 2020-21, will play his first PGA Tour event since 2019 as a card-carrying member when he tees it up Thursday at the Fortinet Championship in Napa, Calif.

The Johns Creek, Ga., native rallied from eight strokes back to win the 2020 Pinnacle Bank Championship, and recorded a solo third and T3 to secure his second trip to the PGA Tour. In his first season in 2019, he played 25 events, made 11 cuts and posted one top-10, finishing 188^th n FedEx Cup points.

For Vincent Whaley, it will be as if he never left the PGA Tour. The 26-year-old from Alpharetta, Ga., finished No. 140 in FedEx Cup points in the 2020-21 season, missing the playoffs and forcing him to participate in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. He ensured his return to the PGA TOUR with top-10s in the first two Finals events.

Also competing this week are veteran PGA Tour members Chesson Hadley, Matt Kuchar and Cameron Tringale. All qualified for the FedEx Cup playoffs last year, Hadley grabbing the 125^th and final spot.

Stewart Cink, who won this event last October when it was known at the Safeway Open, launching a stellar season which saw him qualify for the Tour Championship for the first time since 2009, will not return to defend his title because …

So glad for new sponsor @FortinetChamp, but scheduling shifted the event back one week, to same weekend as my son Connor’s wedding. So, I won’t be able to play as “defending champ.” But…can’t wait for many more events in #Napa!

— Stewart Cink (@stewartcink) September 7, 2021

*****

SCHNIEDERJANS, PETEFISH COME UP SHORT ON FORME TOUR

Luke Schniederjans and Chris Petefish both missed the cut last weekend at the Forme Tour Championship, the final event of the 2021 schedule, and came up short last week in earning status on the Korn Ferry Tour. The top player on the tour’s points list following the event received full exempt status on the Korn Ferry Tour for 2022, while players No. 2-5 received partial status. Players finishing 6 through 10 are allowed to skip the first and second stages of the Korn Ferry Tour qualifying tournament, which begins this week.

Schniederjans dropped to No. 11 on the points list, while Petefish finished 54^th. Both players retain status on the Forme Tour and Mackenzie Tour for 2022. Both players will no doubt attempt to make it to the Korn Ferry Tour through qualifying.

The first stage of qualifying begins this week at two sites, and former Yellow Jacket Drew Czuchry is in the field at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta, Ga.

Forme Tour leaderboard

*****

OGLETREE RETURNS TO ACTION IN G-PRO EVENT

Andy Ogletree, the 2019 U.S. Amateur champion who has been out of action since April after having surgery to repair a labrum tear in his hip, will be back in competition for the first time this week at the Gaston Championship, a GPro Tour event in Gastonia, N.C., Tuesday through Thursday.

Ogletree was the low amateur (T34 overall) at the COVID-delayed 2020 Masters and tied for 46^th at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in the spring. He missed the cut in three subsequent PGA Tour events before stepping away to treat his hip.

He’ll be joined there by James Clark, who tied for 26^th place last week at the High Point (N.C.) Open.

*****

UPCOMING EVENTS

• PGA Tour:  Fortinet Championship • September 16-19, 2021 • Silverado Resort and Spa • Napa, Calif. • Purse: $7,000,000 • FedEx Cup points: 500
• Korn Ferry Tour:  Korn Ferry Tour qualifying, first stage events • September 14-17, 2021 • two sites
• PGA Tour Champions:  Sanford International • September 17-19, 2021 • Minnehaha Country Club • Sioux Falls, S.D. • Purse: $1,800,000
• Forme Tour:  2021 schedule completed
• All Pro Tour:  Oakwing Championship • October 18-20, 2021 • Oakwing Golf Club • Alexandria, La. • Purse: $48,000
• G Pro Tour:  Gaston Championship • September 14-16 • Gaston Country Club • Gastonia, N.C.
• SwingThought Tour:  ST43 Blacksburg Country Club • September 14-16, 2021 • Blacksburg Country Club • Blacksburg, Va.

.

#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

City of Atlanta electrified this evening, perhaps in celebration of the likes of @GTGolf alums @Vincewhaley @seth_reeves securing @PGATOUR return. #KornFerryCommute pic.twitter.com/BrNYnev3PD

— Kevin Prise (@PGATOURKevin) September 8, 2021

Great day for a great cause. @BGCA_Clubs changing lives every day. Quail is always a treat. Tom Fazio and Terrell Owens co-hosted. How about that for golf and charity bringing people together! pic.twitter.com/ZuHMMakKc0

— Roberto Castro (@cicioCASTRO) September 13, 2021

Make sure to catch The Charlie Rymer Golf Show tonight, featuring Hugh Royer as well the unbelievable wakeboarding skills of @GregJrNorman! We know what you’re thinking: “@CharlieRymerPGA on a wakeboard? I can’t imagine that.”#CharlieRymerGolfShow #MyrtleBeachGolf pic.twitter.com/RcxpVgiATQ

— Myrtle Beach Golf (@MyrtleBeachGolf) September 13, 2021

ICYMI: @CharlieRymerPGA caught up with his good pal, Hank Haney on this week’s Balls in the Air episode. Listen here ➡️ https://t.co/mivADA8Gpl. #MyrtleBeachGolf #BallsInTheAir pic.twitter.com/ORQwzJSvIJ

— Myrtle Beach Golf (@MyrtleBeachGolf) September 12, 2021