Skinns wins Dothan Classic with ease

David Skinns says he doesn’t check out the scoreboard during his round, preferring to stay focused on his game and not worry about what he can’t control.

However, just a peek over his shoulder at his playing partners during his final round on Sunday gave him a clear picture of the victory ahead.
As Shawn Stefani of Baytown, Texas, and Kurt Barnes of Australia struggled with their worst rounds of the tournament, Skinns cruised ahead to win the Dothan Classic on the NGA Hooters Tour by six strokes.

Skinns, a former University of Tennessee standout from Lincoln, England, shot a final round 69 for a four-day 270 to win the tournament and earn a check worth $33,566.

Skinns is the current money leader on the Hooters Tour. He was the lone golfer to shoot in the 60s each day on the par 72 course, coming in with scores of 66-68-67-69.

“I just played really well all week,” Skinns said. “I started off with a good day Thursday and kept it going.”

Skinns made birdie on five holes on the front nine (2,3,4,7,8) to virtually put it away before the turn. His only blemish on the front nine was three-putting on No. 9.

“Once you get into the back nine, you can feel where you stand as a player without looking at the scoreboard,” Skinn said.

“But you still never know. Someone could have been 7-under for all I knew.”

But he did know the two players closest to him when the day began were struggling.

Stefani, two strokes off the lead after Saturday, shot a 75 on Sunday to finish in a three-way tie for fourth. Barnes, three strokes back when the day began, also shot a 75 to finish tied with three others for seventh.

Todd Bailey of Spanish Fort, a four-time Alabama Open champ, shot a 69 on Sunday to finish in a tie for second with Christian Ries of Columbus, Ga., who fired a final round 70 in finishing at 276. They each earned a check of $13,970.

Tyrone Mordt of Arlington, Texas, and Jeff Corr of Longwood, Fla., joined Stefani in fourth at 278. Casey Crain of Carriere, Miss., shot the low score of the day at 66 in finishing at 279.