Carolinas Sr. Four-Ball: Perry wins playoff
CHARLOTTE, NC - Final round results of the 28th North Carolina Senior Amateur Championship of the Carolinas Golf Association hosted by Myers Park Country Club in Charlotte, NC on Thursday, May 16, 2013 (6517 yards, par 36-35—71, 70.9/130).
Russ Perry, 61, of Winston-Salem, NC survived a three hole playoff with Jim Grainger of Charlotte, NC to win the North Carolina Senior Amateur Championship. Perry, the 2010 Carolinas Senior champion and Old Town Club member, played his last 23 holes in 10-under par to catch Grainger. Perry hit his 18 degree hybrid to eight feet on the par five 17th hole setting up an eagle opportunity. He canned the putt to catch Grainger heading into the final hole. Grainger made a gutty 15 foot par save to send the championship into extra holes.
In the playoff, Grainger had a couple of chances to win the championship but could not convert a birdie putt on the first playoff hole and a short par putt on the second playoff hole. Perry escaped from a terrible tee shot on the second playoff hole for a scrambling bogey. On the third playoff hole, Grainger pulled his tee shot into the water hazard that made the difference and sealed the victory for Perry.
“I had to play my best golf today to win,” Perry said. “I figured that unless Simson or someone else was making a move that it was between Jim and me.” Perry and Grainger played together in the final round. “I was dead off the tee on the second playoff hole and thought Jim had won it but golf is a funny game. He (Grainger) is a great player.”
Grainger has finished second in the last two years losing in playoffs each time.
“This one hurts,” Grainger stated. “I felt I had the championship but hats off to Russ who played incredible golf over the past 23 holes. I have won some CGA team titles but not an individual one yet.”
Six-time and defending champion Paul Simson of Raleigh, NC carded a final round 69 (210) and finished alone in third place.
The top 30 and ties are exempt into the 2014 North Carolina Senior Amateur Championship.
ABOUT THE North Carolina Senior Amateur
Must be a resident of North Carolina and a
member of a CGA member club. Maximum
handicap 9.9.
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