Even-par earns Greg Cesarek Arizona Short Course title
Greg Cesarek
(Facebook Photo)
LITCHFIELD PARK, AZ (January 8, 2017) -- With five holes remaining in the final round of the Arizona Short Course first round co-leader Greg Cesarek was 3-over and seemingly fading out of the title picture. However, nobody relayed that message to Cesarek and instead of folding he started rolling in putts.
The first birdie during the closing stretch of the Wigwam Golf Club's par-66 5,020 yard Patriot Course came on No. 14 and then another followed on the 16th. Now tied for the lead with two holes remaining Cesarek kept the peddle to the mettle as he produced the walk off winning birdie on the 18th hole.
Cesarek was forced to dig himself out of a hole late due to a disappointing 3-over through 13 holes start. On the front nine Cesarek birdied only once and bogeyed twice while also carding a double-bogey.
Michael Martin finished 1-over and in second place after starting the day one off the lead. Martin birdied the 14th hole to get back to 1-over but he couldn't find another birdie over the last four holes.
Conner Burdick, Jackson Whisenhunt, Ted Neville, Blaine Staggs and first round co-leader Adam Walicki shared third at 2-over. Defending champion and the final member of the first round leading trio James Russo ended up tied for ninth at 5-over.
ROUND ONE RECAP
With the first round of the Arizona Short Course in the books a trio of players share the lead at the Wigwam Golf Club's par-66 5,020 yard Patriot Course.
Included atop the leaderboard is defending champion James Russo. After winning in a playoff last year, Russo will be faced with another duel this year. Teeing off on the 11th hole, Russo birdied the 12th and then 16-18 consecutively before falling back to even-par with two bogeys and a double-bogey throughout the rest of his day.
Greg Cesarek reached the lead thanks to some early fireworks. Playing alongside Russo, Cesarek started his day with an 11th hole eagle two. Two birdies followed but also four bogeys.
The final member of the lead group is Adam Walicki who birdied three times and bogeyed once while also double-bogeying. Walicki's birdies came on the 3rd, 8th and 16th holes.
Six players are one shot back at 1-over in a tie for fourth and another half dozen players are only three behind at 3-over.
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ABOUT THE Arizona Short Course
36-hole stroke play championship with a max field size
of 100 players all competing in one division at gross. All
players must have an active membership with an AGA
Member Club in order to participate.
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