Gwinnett Daily Post

Among Adam Littleton's career goals was the desire to be a head golf professional by the age of 30.

The 1992 Berkmar graduate got the chance earlier this year when he took over in March as head pro at Nicklaus Golf Club at Birch River, a semi-private club in Dahlonega. A longtime employee with ClubCorp, the company that owns the Nicklaus club, he was promoted from his previous job as a first assistant pro at another ClubCorp property, Lawrenceville's Northwood Country Club.

Littleton also worked five years at the Trophy Club of Apalachee and had a brief stint at the Trophy Club of Gwinnett before joining Northwood, where he also served an interim head pro for roughly a year.

However, his first true head pro job came this year with the opportunity at Nicklaus Golf Club at Birch River.

"To work at a Nicklaus signature course was attractive and staying with ClubCorp was really nice," Littleton said. "This facility hosts BellSouth Classic qualifying, which also was attractive. We have a great practice facility here and I love teaching. That's why I got into the golf business was to teach."

In slightly more than four months at his new club, Littleton already has started a junior clinic with a championship next week. Those students will return once a week for clinics during the school year. He also started a nine-hole ladies golf association with a group of women golfers at the club.

Although he has plenty of golf experience to his credit, Littleton said most people in Gwinnett still remember him as a wrestler. A two-time county and region champion, he was the Class AAAA state runner-up as a senior, when he lost to Parkview's Brent Shiver. Shiver, a three-time state champion, was the only wrestler to beat Littleton, who went on to wrestle at Anderson College (S.C.) his final two seasons.

From there, he got into the golf business and eventually returned to Northwood, where he started his golf career with lessons as a 10-year-old. While he enjoyed his time at Northwood, he couldn't pass up the head pro job at the Nicklaus facility.

The only problem with his new job is the drive.

Littleton still commutes from Winder because his house there hasn't sold. When it sells, he plans to move between Dahlonega and Collins Hill High School, where his wife, Andrea, is a teacher. The couple's first child, Anderson, was born last December.

Walsh second in GSGA Junior Sectional Challenge

Jack Walsh of Lawrenceville finished second in the 12- and 13-year-old division of the Georgia State Golf Association Junior Sectional Challenge Match. Walsh, competing for the Northeast section, shot 75 and 73 to finish a stroke behind age group champion John Gordon.

Sugar Hill hosts Member-Guest

Richard and Shannon Evans won the Sugar Hill Golf Association's Member-Guest Tournament in the gross division with a thrilling five-hole playoff victory over Stafford French and Chris Carr. Larry and Buckey Jenkins won the net title over runner-ups Barry Pugh and Keith Mitchell.

Locals fare well on AGA Tour

Three golfers from the Gwinnett area posted top-two finishes in an Amateur Golfers Association Tour stop at Chateau Elan Golf Club. Braselton's Gary Adams shot 76 to win Flight Two and Suwanee's Greg Andrews' 79 was good for first in Flight Three. Robby King of Lawrenceville was second in Flight Six with an 86.

Golfing Gwinnett is a weekly column that highlights golf in the area and welcomes contributions from courses and individuals. To be included in the column, fax information to (770) 339-8081 or e-mail to will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com.