NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (Aug. 21, 2012) -- Dyer’s Terry Werner captured the IGA Senior Amateur Championship in a two-hole sudden death playoff where he defeated Fort Wayne’s John Zitkovic at Harbour Trees Golf Club. Werner, playing two groups behind the leaders today, snuck in a two-under par 69, surprising the field with a one-under par tournament finish.
“Once I got it to three-under par for the day I felt like I had a chance,” said Werner. “I had one small hiccup on the back nine, putting myself back at two-under, but for the most part I felt really comfortable with where I stood,” he added.
Meanwhile, Zitkovic got off to a very impressive start this morning, with four birdies in his opening five holes, to get to six-under par for the tournament. Zitkovic looked unbeatable and steady throughout the day until his bogey on the par 3, 8th hole combined with a double bogey on the par 4, 9th hole, bringing him back to three-under par for the tournament.
“I got off to a great start,” said Zitkovic. “I was hitting it close and making a lot of putts,” he added.
Heading into the par 3, 18th hole, Zitkovic still had a one shot lead over Werner, who was in the clubhouse at one-under par.
Zitkovic pulled his iron shot left of the green, giving himself little green to work with, and what looked like it would be an almost impossible up-and-down. He hit a good chip, but could not get it to stop any closer than twelve feet, which he was left with for par and for the win. He missed his putt just to the right of the hole, tying Werner, and forcing a playoff.
On the first playoff hole, the par 4, 1st, Werner hit his tee shot right down the middle of the fairway, and almost thirty yards past Zitkovic, who was just in the right rough. Zitkovic proceeded to miss the green, long and left, and failed to get up-and-down for par, opening the door for Werner. Werner hit his birdie putt eight feet past the hole, and also failed to convert par, so he and Zitkovic headed to the par 4, 9th, the second playoff hole.
Both players hit their tee shots in the fairway on 9, but Zitkovic missed the green left on his approach shot, once again putting himself in a tricky position. Werner hit his approach to ten feet, and had a good look at birdie. Zitkovic failed to get up-and-down and Werner easily two-putted for par, which was enough for the win.
“It feels awesome,” said Werner. “I’ve been close before so it feels good to finally get one,” he added.
Werner’s round consisted of three birdies, coming on holes 2, 3, and 7. His lone bogey came on the par 4, 14th.
“Terry is a very strong player,” said Zitkovic. “It is certainly no shame losing to him,” he added.
Brazil’s Alan Buell took the title in the Super Senior Amateur Championship, after firing a two-day five-over par 147 at Harbour Trees Golf Club.
The Super Senior Amateur is open to players ages 65 and older.
View results for Indiana Senior Amateur
ABOUT THE Indiana Senior Amateur
36-hole stroke play championship for seniors (age
55+)
and super seniors (65+). Must be affiliated with an
IGA-PGA Member club and possess a current IGA-
PGA
BlueGolf handicap index of 14.0 or less.
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