River Hills - 9/16/2017
It was a gorgeous Saturday afternoon on the Lake Wylie on one of the toughest courses on the Charlotte schedule. PLAYOFFS.....That was the theme of the day as we had 3 flights going to extra holes in order to settle the winners.
In the Champ Flight is was Jay Barnes our 2016 National
Champion that took home first place with a
2 over par 74. Jay had a 3 shot
lead going into his 18th hole and from the Tee-shot, it appeared that Jay may
have put his lead in jeopardy. While
standing about 20 feet away in the trees on the right side of the 9th fairway,
Jay launched a high shot over the trees guarding the right side of the
fairway. From where he was, he could not
tell where the ball landed, but his playing partners who were out in the
fairway indicated that the ball came to rest about 15 feet below the hole
safely on the green. From there, he calmly
knocked in the birder to secure a 4 shot victory and the season title. Jared Autrey took home second place in a
scorecard playoff over Joe Jaspers, both players shooting 6 over 78. Rounding out the top 4 was Brian McGowan.
In the A Flight, we our first playoff of the day when John
Ervin and Chad Hagerman tied for the top spot, both players shooting 6 over par
78. It only took one hole and a 30+ foot
birdie putt from the fringe to secure the victory for John Ervin. Stephen Camillieri took home place with a
score of 80 and Don Bridges rounded out the top 4 with a score of 81.
In the B Flight, Dan Ahlers and Allen Hagen had to go one
extra hole to settle a Tie for first place.
Both players shot 85 and again, it only took one hole for Dan Ahlers to
secure his first victory on tour.
Columbia Tour member, Jim McGee took home 3rd place honor with an 86 and
Cliff Morgan rounded out the top 4 with a score of 87.
In the C Flight we had our Last playoff of the day. Jim Wittersheim and Dwight Williams from
Columbia both tied at 90 and headed back to 18 to settle the score. Again...1 hole and a birdie by Wittersheim
sealed the deal. Luke Lavorato and too
home third place with a score of 92.
Rounding out the top 4 was Michael Martin with a score of 94.
In the D Flight, it was Toby Strickland who claimed victory
with a score of 89. Eric Herman took
home second with a score of 95 and Chris Word rounded out the top 3 with a
score of 97.