Lance Lacombe, Bubba Kaiser, Brian Pope, James Lingo, and Jeff Owens all won the 2025 Smoky Mountain Regional hosted by Sequoyah National Golf Club in Cherokee, NC
The 2025 Golfweek Amateur Tour Season is in full swing, with Sequoyah National hosting the eighth Regional on May 3rd and 4th. Competitors from 25 local tours assembled to challenge the demanding course set amidst the mountains of Cherokee, North Carolina. The competition among the 123 participants was intense, and each of the five flight winners secured their place at the 2025 National Championship scheduled for this October.
Long-time Championship Flight winner David Schmidt (Charlotte, NC) set the pace on the first day with an impressive round of 69 (-3), featuring four birdies and one eagle. Defending Champion Lance Lacombe (North Central Florida) closely followed, finishing just one stroke behind with a 70 (-2), which included six birdies and one eagle. Styles Smith (Jacksonville) also made a strong showing, sitting two shots off the lead with a score of 71 (-1) that featured five birdies.
On the second day, the birdie barrage continued, with the three competitors collectively achieving 12 birdies. Ultimately, it was Lacombe’s solo eagle that proved pivotal, enabling him to successfully defend his title with a total score of 70-70-140. Schmidt finished in second place with a cumulative score of 142, while Styles secured third with a two-day total of 144. Mike Cobb (Charleston, SC) rounded out the top four with a total score of 149, earning a spot in the prize money.
In the A Flight, Bubba Kaiser (Mississippi) began the tournament with an impressive performance on Day One, recording three birdies and finishing with a two-over par 74. His closest competitor trailed by five strokes. Brian Haney (Columbus, OH) managed to secure one birdie and finished the day with a score of 79, breaking the 80 barriers.
As the A Flight field struggled on the first day, Kaiser enjoyed a comfortable lead, allowing him to play more freely on the second day. Despite valiant efforts from Angel Velazquez (Hilton Head/Savannah) and Donnie Pritt (ENC), neither could overcome Kaiser’s commanding lead. Ultimately, Kaiser maintained his position to claim the first-place prize with a final score of 159. Velazquez and Pritt finished in second and third place, respectively, while Matthew Taylor (Richmond, VA) played consistently throughout the weekend, ending in fourth with a total score of 167.
Brian Pope (Atlanta, GA) dominated the B Flight, leading wire-to-wire with scores of 78 and 87, culminating in a winning total of 165. Sean Mitchell (Charlotte, NC) made a strong push on the final day, finishing with a score of 83 and a total of 167, just two strokes behind Pope, securing second place. Shawn Cacioppo (Central NC) maintained third place with a total of 168. Following him were Robin Neverve (ENC) in fourth, Greg Smith (Atlanta, GA) in fifth, and C.J. Jackson (Central NC), who rounded out the top six and finished just within the prize money threshold.
In the C Flight, James Lingo (ENC) and Derek Wainwright (Atlanta, GA) were tied for the overnight lead, each posting a score of 88. On the second day, Lingo's single birdie and total score of 178 secured him the trophy, allowing him to maintain a lead over the advancing field. David Yi (Atlanta, GA) finished in second place with a score of 180, while Taylor Duncan (Hilton Head/Savannah) took third with a score of 183. Michael Robinson (Alabama) claimed fourth place in a scorecard playoff against Wainwright, who held on to fifth place. Chris Hall (Charleston, SC) completed the top spots, finishing sixth with a score of 188.
In the D Flight, Jeff Owens (Nashville, TN) and Pattina Martinez (ENC) secured the clubhouse lead with identical scores of 91. On the second day, Owens solidified his position, cruising to the flight championship with a commanding six-shot lead over the competition. Brandon Wynn, the points leader from Charlotte, NC, made a notable comeback on Day Two, ultimately surpassing Buddy Wynn (Charlotte, NC) to claim second place, with Buddy taking third. Jermaine Luke (Atlanta, GA) rounded out the top four, finishing with a total score of 188.
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