Tim Jackson wins playoff at Birmingham National Invitational

May 31, 2015 | by Pete Wlodkowski of AmateurGolf.com

Birmingham National Invitational champ Tim Jackson <br>is flanked by Runner-up Patrick Christovich (left) <br>and Joseph Deraney

Tim Jackson may be an official "over 55" senior, but he played like a younger man today, posting 3-under and winning a playoff over Patrick Christovich for the title

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (May 31, 2015) — Just two weeks ago, Tim Jackson nearly beat the best pros and amateurs in his home state of Tennessee. Although he had to settle for a runner-up finish in the Tennessee State Open, it was clear to even that casual observer that Jackson, 56, is playing some of his best golf.

Today at a challenging Country Club of Birmingham West Course — that hosted the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur — Jackson posted a tournament-low score of three-under 68.

That number got the Germantown, Tenn. resident to two-under for the tournament, and was good enough to make up four strokes on 36-hole leader Patrick Christovich of New Orleans. Christovich, the No. 4 ranked Mid-Amateur in the AmateurGolf.com Mid- Amateur Rankings, had missed a lightning fast birdie putt on the 18th hole in regulation, which would have given him the win outright.

"I had that same putt last year to win," said Christovich in a phone interview. "It's one of those putts that's so fast you just have to breathe on it to get it started. Last year I knocked it 15 feet by and made the comebacker. This year, I barely missed and still had five feet left."

The two players headed out to the 18th hole, a relatively short par-four where Jackson made an unlikely birdie from the trees to win it. Forced to hit a low punch shot after missing the fairway right, Jackson was able to not only hit a deft approach shot to the green, but sink a 15-foot putt for his birdie (from the low side of the hole). Christovich had a chance to extend the playoff, but again had a downhill six-footer that he slid by the edge.

Joseph Deraney of Lexington, Ky. grabbed third place at one-under, while Craig Smith of Nashville was alone in fourth at even-par 213.

ABOUT THE BIRMINGHAM NATIONAL INVITATIONAL

The Birmingham National Invitational, called simply the "National Invitational" by the club, continues to attract a solid field of mid-am players and should see its status elevated in the AmateurGolf.com Mid- Amateur Rankings, the only rankings dedicated to golfers aged 25 and over.

Results: Birmingham National Invitational

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Tim Jackson	Germantown, TN	400	71-72-68=211
2	Patrick Christovich	New Orleans, LA	300	70-69-72=211
3	Joseph Deraney	Belden, MS	200	71-72-69=212
4	Craig Smith	Nashville, TN	200	71-69-73=213
T5	Seth Sargent	Birmingham, AL	200	69-72-73=214

View full results for Birmingham National Invitational

About the Birmingham National Invitational

Tim Jackson wins playoff at Birmingham National Invitational

This 54-hole stroke play event, formerly held the weekend after Memorial Day but moved to November in 2020, dates back to the early 1900's and is also known as the "NIT". Draws a field of national-level mid-amateurs.