By STEVE WILLIAMS

Winston-Salem native Mark Slawter has been named Canadian Tour International Rookie of the Year.

Slawter, winner of the Eagle Creek Classic in Ottawa Aug. 19, finished fifth on the Canadian Tour Order of Merit with $63,065. Aaron Barber of Orlando was at the top of the list with $75,337.

Slawter, a former N.C. State standout, played in 11 events, made nine cuts and had four top-ten finishes. His 70.05 stroke average ranked 10th best on the Canadian Tour.

A couple other N.C. players fared well on the Canadian Tour in 2001. Patrick Moore of Cornelius was 16th with $37,915 and Chris Greenwood of Valdese was 17th with $34,151.

The top 80 players from the 2001 Order of Merit are exempt for 2002.

It wasn’t a good year for Scott Newton of High Point, however. After finishing 46th on the Order of Merit in 2000, he slipped to 141st. In 11 events, he picked up just $1,875.

The Canadian Tour will continue its expansion to the United States in 2002 with six early-season events. After a swing through Texas and Arizona for two events each, the Tour will return for the second straight year to Barefoot Resort at North Myrtle Beach. Tournaments will be played at the Norman Course April 25-28 and the Dye Course May 2-5.

Brian Sharp of Winston-Salem and Elliott Gealy of Salisbury both finished in the top 25 on the money and points lists for the NGA Tour for the 2001 season.

Sharp made 16 cuts in 19 events and won $37,270 for 21st place on the money list. He was 22nd in points.

Gealy picked up $35,912 by making 18 cuts in 20 events. He was 24th in money and 17th in points.

Two other area players finished among the top 100, ensuring their status for the 2002 Tour, sponsored primarily by Hooters. Nick Biesecker of Lexington made nine cuts in 20 tries and won $14,486 (59th on the money list) and Ryan Gioffre of Greensboro played in 12 tournaments, made six cuts and won $13,122. He ranked 62nd.

Wynn Solle, a 44-year-old resident of Pinehurst defeated Michael Carlisle of Aiken, S.C. on the first playoff hole with a par to win the 21st Mid-Amateur Championship of the Carolinas Golf Association at Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, S.C.

The event, played Sept. 15-16, was shortened to two rounds in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Both Solle (72-70) and Carlisle (76-66) finished at 142.

The best Triad finisher was Logan Jackson of Winston-Salem at 145 (74-71) for a tie for sixth.

Keith Decker of Martinsville was a key contributor to the Virginia team that finished second in the 4th USGA Men’s State Team Championship Sept. 23-25 at the par 72 Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.

Counting the best two scores from a three-man team in each round of the 54-hole event, Virginia finished at 434, two shots behind Minnesota, which finished at even par 432.

Decker shot 70, 73 and 76. His score counted the first two days as he teamed with Scottsville’s David Passerel and Appomattox native Faber Jamerson.

The North Carolina team consisting of Cary’s Mitch Adams, Concord’s Keith Harris and Mocksville’s Kem Rogers finished 35th among the 52 teams, shooting 462. Harris was low man for N.C. with 227 (79-71-77).

Minnesota also won the USGA Women’s Team event, played at Woodhill CC in Wayzata, Minn. The home state squad had a 449 total.

Virginia was eighth and North Carolina tied for 10^th in the 45-team event.

Brenda Corrie Kuehn, Patty Moore and Shannon Ogg made up the N.C. threesome.

Tot Hill Farm will play host to the second annual "Best of the Best" event Friday, Nov. 9.

The one-day, 18-hole tournament will feature the top 40 finishers from this year’s Asheboro City Amateur.

Charlie Richburg of Sophia won the inaugural event in 2000, shooting a three-over-par 75 and finishing a shot ahead of Tony Concutelli and Rob Elliott. Concutelli won the City Am earlier this year.

The Women’s Public Course Golf Association wrapped up a successful season Oct. 10 with its year-end tournament at Bryan Park.

The group, featuring players from Cedarcrest, Bryan Park, Tanglewood, Wilshire, Jamestown Park, Longview, Pine Knolls, Lexington and Oak Hollow, played five tournaments during the summer leading up to the finale at Bryan Park.

Results of the year-end tournament can be found in the Scoreboard.

The WPCGA began in 1993 to promote women’s golf in the Piedmont and provide coordination for competitions. The 2002 season will be launched with an organizational meeting in February. New public courses are welcome to join. Alma Barrier, recruiting chairman, can be reached at 336-854-2955 or almabarrie@aol.com.