From the PGA Tour Media Guide:
First top-10 finish of the year came at the $1-million Nationwide Tour Players Cup, where he was T10. Followed that with a T8 the next week at the Price Cutter Charity Championship. Two-week effort moved him from No. 92 to No. 55 on the money list. Finished solo fifth at the Albertsons Boise Open. Followed that a week later at the Oregon Classic with his first career title. Shared the first-round lead and held a three-stroke edge after 54 holes. A back-and-forth battle with runner-up Bubba Dickerson saw the lead increase to five on the back nine before a three-shot swing at the par-5 15th cut the margin to one. Three solid pars down the stretch resulted in a two-shot win. First-place check vaulted him from No. 53 to No. 19 on the money list. Shared the lead with D.A. Points into the final round of the Miccosukee Championship. Watched Points hole out for eagle from the fairway on the 72nd hole then holed his 12-foot birdie putt to force the playoff, which Points won with a birdie on the first extra hole. Runner-up finish saw him jump 10 spots, to No. 12 on the money list and secure his 2009 PGA TOUR card.
Matt – I just wanted to congratulate you on the great finish at Quail Hollow. I live just south of San Francisco and grew up in the Sacramento area and remember reading about you in all the NCGA events. Recently I found out that my mom is good friends with your mom, through Beverly Ott. Beverly is my Godmother and has been a close friend of my family’s for as long as I can remember. Anyway, I guess Beverly, my mom, and your mom all went on a vacation together last year…..small world. I also wanted to mention that I’m a member at The Olympic Club in San Francisco and would love to have you come play, whenever your schedule permits. As a touring pro, I’m sure you have no problems getting on private courses on your own, but I thought you might want someone to play with instead of going it alone. With the US Open coming in 2012, they are almost finished with some changes to the Lake Course (tournament course), which will re-open on June 1. Maybe sometime after that, you can find some time to play? I would love to get you out there. Again, congrats on the good week and good luck at the Players Championship.
First off keep it up! I’ve been watching the Memorial and you’re doing great! I’m pulling for you. I was watching Golf Central and they where talking about how you started at an ameteur golfer in Northern California. Did you by chance go to Woodcreek High School in Roseville, near Sacramento? There was a guy named John Bettencourt in the class ahead of me and I thought he had a couple of younger brothers. Anyways curiosity got the better of me and I had to ask. Your playing amazing on a course that may be harder than those played for a Major. Keep it up!
Very Respectfully,
-Matthew Fox
Morro Bay, Ca
Matt, please give me a call at Marina High School, I have some news about Jim.
You must be close to a break through win. Keep up the good play, stay focused and stick to whatever you’re doing. Ride the hot streak of growing confidence and enjoy your just rewards for all the effort and stick-with-it-ness over the years.
We follow your career from N. Cal with great pride (I’m in Alamo, Contra Costa County). You make us proud of the great golf heritage in California, from O’Meara to Woods to Bettencourt.
If you DO break through at the Deere, have a great time at Turnberry – golf over there is the best experience a golfer could have.
Matt-
Thanks for the great time at the Kresge’s Krew Pro Am. It was one of the highlights of my life. Let me know if you need some dental help…I’m your guy. Good luck with the rest of your season. I’ll be following your results. If you still need some photogratphy for the new pad, let me know. My girl does some great work.