Dixon Back To Defend Chick-A-Tee Title

STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE Steven Dixon watches his shot sail to the 11th green Sunday, June 16, 2013, during the final round of the Dwight Collins Chick-A-Tee Invitational at Springdale Country Club. Dixon returns as the defending champion for the 76th Chick-A-Tee which begins today.

STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE Steven Dixon watches his shot sail to the 11th green Sunday, June 16, 2013, during the final round of the Dwight Collins Chick-A-Tee Invitational at Springdale Country Club. Dixon returns as the defending champion for the 76th Chick-A-Tee which begins today.

Friday, June 13, 2014

SPRINGDALE -- Steven Dixon is back to defend his title at the Dwight Collins Chick-A-Tee Invitational. And with a full field expected for the 76th installment of the annual Father's Days weekend tournament Dixon should be tested if he hopes to repeat.

The 54-hole tournament originated in 1938 and was previously known as the Rodeo of the Ozarks Springdale Open. Renamed in honor of the late Dwight Collins, a former Springdale Country Club golf pro, this year's field features 147 golfers and 76 club members.

Dwight Collins Chick-A-Tee Invitational

When: Today-Sunday

Where: Springdale Country Club

Defending Champion: Steven Dixon

Notable: 54-hole tournament originated in 1938. … Named in honor of late SCC golf professional Dwight Collins. … Eight past champions in this year’s field. … Total of 147 participants, including 76 Springdale Country Club members.

"It's a popular tournament," Hobbs said. "Our normal number is 144 so we're actually a few over this time."

Dixon, a regular at the Springdale CC and a past club champion, rallied from a two-stroke deficit in the final round in last year's tournament to post a two-shot victory over runner-up Kyle Fouts. He is one of eight past champions in the field this year, along with 2013 champion Icem Brewer.

Forecasts are calling for clear and sunny skies today and Saturday, with a small chance of rain on the tournament's final round Sunday. The Chick-A-Tee, like many other area events, has dealt with heavy precipitation over the past week which could affect playing conditions this weekend.

"The courses in our area have had a little winter kill on the fairway, and we've gone back and seeded those areas and some those areas became really wet with the added rainfall we've had," Hobbs said. "We'll have to determine if we're going to play the ball up or down, so the extra rainfall has caused us a few extra question marks but there's nothing we can't work around."

Players use a shotgun-style format, teeing off at both 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. today through Sunday. Following the first 36 holes, the tournament will be flighted for Sunday's final 18-hole round.

"We're expecting great weather for the weekend," Hobbs said. "So it should be a great tournament."

Sports on 06/13/2014