Yoder wins Greystone Invitational

29 Jun 2009
see also: Greystone Country Club
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Chris Megginson photo

story courtesy Shelby County Reporter

HOOVER (June 28, 2009) — Despite shooting three-over par in the final round Sunday, University of Central Missouri golfer Justin Yoder took a one-stroke victory at the ninth-annual Greystone Invitational.

A first-time visitor to Greystone's Founders' Course, Yoder shot a 69 in the first two rounds of the tournament to move to six-under par entering the final 36 holes of play. Justin Yoder holds the Greystone Invitational trophy on the 18th green.

"I normally try to do pretty well without playing a course before. I expect to go out there and win every time," he said.

Yoder's lead shrunk the next two rounds, shooting two-over par on Saturday. by the time he reached hole No. 17 Sunday he sat tied with Chris Rockwell of Maryland. Rockwell, a Vanderbilt University golfer, bogeyed the whole to move to even par, while Yoder hit par to maintain a one-stroke lead as he approached the 18th green.

His approach shot on the par 5 hole, shot long of the pin and spun onto the green.

"I knew I had to stick it in there close to at least give myself an opportunity to get a two-putt par and win," Yoder said. "I just left it out to the right of the pin so I wouldn’t risk going left and going into the water."

Two putts later, Yoder was champion.

"It’s a big win. It’s probably one of the bigger tournaments, player size, that I’ve played in," said Yoder, who was named the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Golfer of the Year in the spring.

McCuen Elmore of Clemson University shot a 71 Sunday, as the only golfer below par for the final round. Michael Osborn's 68 on Saturday was the low score for the tournament.

Glenn Northcutt of Auburn tied for second with Rockwell, while Jake Greer of North Shelby County was fourth and former Spain Park golfer Trey Del Greco finished tied for 10th.

ABOUT THE Greystone Invitational

72-hole tournament, cut to the low 60 plus ties after 36 holes. Committee accepts the lowest 124 applicants based on USGA index signed by a golf professional. Greystone CC slope is 146 and the rating 74.1. It was designed by Rees Jones in 2000. The Legacy Course is a magnificent test of golf. Out of state players are encouraged to apply.