Marucci/McCoy Win Southern Intl. Four Ball

14 Jan 2005
see also: International Four-Ball Championship, Ohoopee Match Club
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West Palm Beach, Florida (January 13, 2005) - Two was the magic number for Mike McCoy in the 71st Southern International Four-Ball Championship Friday at Emerald Dunes Golf Club. McCoy, five-time Iowa amateur of the year, scored an eagle two, two days in a row, on hole No. 2.

After knocking in a wedge on the 408-yard hole in Thursday's third round, he duplicated the feat in Friday's finale to kick start his and partner Buddy Marucci's 3-stroke victory in the featured Mid-Am division. McCoy and Marucci, a two-time Walker Cupper, closed with a 6-under-par, better-ball 66 for a 263 total.

"We played great and really teamed well," beamed McCoy, an insurance exec in Des Moines. "Buddy is a great putter. The eagles are fun. I've had it go the other way, but it's nice when it goes your way."

Former Walker Cuppers Trip Kuehne and Danny Green put pressure on the winners, pulling within a stroke until suffering a bogey 5 at the 15th hole to fall two behind. McCoy made it three when he canned a sweeping, 60-foot birdie putt on the next hole.

Defending champs Steve Johnson of Chattanooga and Jeff Knox of Augusta opened the day two back, but failed to mount a charge and finished six back tied for third.

In the Seniors division, Steve Earsley of Stuart and Mike Rice of Houston let the title slip away when Earsley missed a 4-foot par saver on the final hole. That dropped them into a tie with Russ Berkoben of Perrysburg OH and Dan Smith of Naples and the two teams were declared co-champions when a heavy thunderstorm just as play was ending left the course unplayable.

Players from 26 states and the District of Columbia competed in the storied Southern Golf Association event.

Scores from the third round of the 71st Southern International 4-Ball Jan. 13, played at the par-72, 6,957-yard Emerald Dunes Golf Club:

Mid-Amateur Division (6957 yards)	Scores	Total
Buddy Marucci, Malvern PA and Mike McCoy, West Des Moines IA	66-64-67-66	263
Danny Green, Jackson TN and Trip Kuehne, Dallas	65-67-68-66	266
Steve Johnson, Chattanooga and Jeff Knox, Augusta	65-65-69-70	269
Mike McDermott, Havertown PA and Pat Tallent, Vienna VA	68-65-69-67	269
Duke Delcher, Bluffton SC and Bill Hadden, Manchester Village VT	67-68-70-65	270
Jack Hall, Macon GA and David Noll, Dalton GA	65-68-70-68	271
Randy Nichols, Connersville IN and Skip Runnels, Richmond IN	66-70-69-67	272
Alan Fadel, Toledo and Eoghan O'Connell, Juno Beach FL	67-65-68-72	272
Mike Cline, Carmel IN and Chris Sekella, Baltimore	67-67-73-67	274
Gene Elliot, W. Des Moines IA and Robert Gerwin, Cincinnati	71-69-70-64	274
Dan Crockett, Nashville and Trey Lewis, Hendersonville TN	66-69-70-70	275

Senior Division (6,535 yards)	Scores	Total
Steve Earsley, Stuart FL and Mike Rice, Houston	65-66-66-71	268
Russ Berkoben, Perrysburg OH and Dan Smith, Naples	68-67-66-67	268
William Boles, Wilson NC and Marty West, Rockville MD	70-65-67-69	271
Alan Foster, Manlius FL and Bill Ploeger, Columbus GA	68-69-71-67	275

ABOUT THE International Four-Ball

Started in 1957, the International Four-Ball is one of the most prestigious amateur events in the country. The Championship includes Mid-Amateur (ages 25-54), Senior (ages 55-64) and Legends (ages 65 and up) Divisions. All divisions compete in a Four- Ball Stroke Play format which is contested over 3 days and 54 holes. This prestigious event has a rich history, with past champions such as Jack Nicklaus, Deane Beman, Dick Siderowf, Vinnie Giles, Jim Holtgrieve and Downing Gray.