Chattanooga Classic Gives Gilbert Sponsor's Exemption

Gibby Gilbert III, Director of Golf at Valleybrook Golf Club and a former Nationwide Tour player, has been granted a sponsor’s exemption to play in the Chattanooga Classic.

The Chattanooga Classic will be played May 10-13 at Black Creek Club.

Gilbert was the leading money winner on the US Pro Golf Tour last year after winning its season-closing US Pro Golf Tour Championship in Las Vegas.

Gilbert played the Nationwide Tour in 1997, 1999 and 2000. His best season was 1999 when he had two third-place finishes and placed among the Top 50 on the money list.

A native of Chattanooga, Gilbert was an all-SEC player at the University of Tennessee. His father, Gibby Gilbert Jr., played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.

“I appreciate the opportunity to play in my hometown,” Gilbert said. “I like Black Creek. I’ve had a lot of low scores there.”

A lot of low scores last year prompted Gilbert into returning to playing fulltime in 2007. He will be played several tournaments on the US Pro Golf Tour and the Hooters Tour.

Gilbert will also be trying to Monday qualify for a few Nationwide Tour events and will be seeking a sponsor’s exemption in the Knoxville Open.

“Our committee felt Gibby deserved the exemption,” said Sam Woolwine, tournament manager. “He grew up in Chattanooga, lives here now, and he played great last year. He earned the exemption.”

He has not played fulltime in over five years and has recently been running the golf operation at Valleybrook, a course that he is leasing.

“I really played well last year,” he said. “I went to this putting system and it’s been working for me. One thing that hurt me in the past was my putting. I really putted well last year.”

Gilbert played in seven US Pro Golf Tour events last year, winning two and finishing second in another.

He was that tour’s leading money winner with $260,470. He won the season-closing event at Badlands Golf Club in Las Vegas, finishing 12 under par to win by five shots. He also won the Global Media Fund Classic at his home course of Valleybrook.