Tyler, TX

TYLER, TX (April 2, 2006)--David Ward and Randy Lance closed with a 6-under 66, the low round of the day, to win the Hollytree Azalea Invitational by one shot over second-round leaders Jeff Lee and Mark Rogala. Ward and Lance enjoyed the first-round lead after shooting a 64, only to fall back with a 72 in round two. Playing two groups ahead of Lee and Rogala, Ward and Lance were able to post a 202 (-14) total and watch as the final groups were unable to force a playoff.

Lee and Rogala closed with a 71 for a 203 total, while the teams of Mike Chism/Robby Skinner and Aaron Hickman/Scott Taylor each shot final-round 69's for matching 204 totals, finishing tied for third. Malcolm Holland and Shawn Westacott finished 5th with a 70 for a 205 total.

Hollytree Country Club showed its teeth on Sunday, with only 20 of the 53 teams breaking par in the two-man best ball format. Apart from the 66 by the winning team, the teams of Ryan Hill/Steve Bodenheimer, John Beatty/Kurt Devlin, and David Leachman/Sam Manning had the next lowest rounds at 4-under 68.

Among past champions, Paul Manziel/Trevor Hyde (2004) and Ryan Hill/Steve Bodenheimer (1996) tied for 6th at 209, Brad Jones/Jacky Lee (2005) tied for 21st at 213, and David Jones/Gary Krueger (1998) tied for 25th at 215.

Final results from the Hollytree Azalea Invitational, played at Hollytree Country Club in Tyler, TX, March 31-April 2, 2006: