Virginia Sr. Four Ball: Staley, Wallace go -10
VSGA photo
RUTHER GLEN, Va. (May 2, 2007)-- The Lynchburg tandem of Paul Staley and Donald Wallace shot an outward half score of 3-under-par 33 to post a two-shot victory as the 25th Virginia State Golf Association Senior Four-Ball Championship concluded today at Mattaponi Springs Golf Club (6,294 yards, par 36-36—72).
Severe weather delayed final round play for more than two hours. The delay started at 2:42 p.m., and play resumed at 4:56 p.m. Thus, flights one and two were reduced to a 27-hole championship (nine- hole stipulated round on the final day), while flights three through five were able to finish 36 holes. The championship was decided in 27 holes as were flights one and two. Flights three through five were decided in 36 holes.
In claiming their first VSGA Senior Four-Ball title, Staley-Wallace (98, -10) finished two shots ahead of playing partners Steve Isaacs (Richmond) and Rick Bendall (Lynchburg), who closed play at 8-under 100.
Jordan Ball (Richmond) and Dick Blackburn (Alexandria) were third overall at 7-under 101.
Both Staley-Wallace and Isaacs-Bendall opened with rounds of 7-under 65. Wallace made a 12-footer for birdie at the par-5 second hole and Staley got up and down from just off the putting surface at the par-5 sixth.
Despite a bogey at the par-4 first hole, Isaacs-Bendall responded with birdies at holes 2 and 5 as Isaacs made putts inside of 4 feet. Two under at the time of the weather delay, Staley-Wallace owned a one-shot lead over Isaacs-Bendall, who were one under at the time.
Following the delay, Staley two-putted from a difficult spot 45 feet left of the hole at the par-3 seventh hole and Bendall made a 25-footer to save par to keep them within one. However, at the par-4 eighth hole, Staley knocked a pitching wedge approach from 112 yards to 3 feet and made the ensuing birdie putt to give them a two-shot advantage. Both Isaacs and Bendall narrowly missed on their birdies putts at No. 8.
“Paul made a nice birdie at No. 8 and that was the difference,” Isaacs said.
Both tandems made par at the ninth hole. Staley-Wallace, Boonsboro Country Club members and longtime friends, won their first VSGA title in their first year teaming together.
“We would’ve liked to have gone all the way in good weather, but we’ll take it,” Staley said.
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--Story courtesy VSGA
ABOUT THE VSGA Senior Four-Ball
36-hole four-ball stroke play competition (18 holes
per
day). Open to VSGA Members who will are at least
50
years old and have an active GHIN number issued
by a
licensed VSGA Member Club in good standing.
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