Bo Hayes
(Alabama Golf Association)

Hayes watched as Jones, the 15-seed, took a 2 up lead after three holes before settling in. The rising Jacksonville State senior evened the match with wins on Nos. 4 and 5 and then took his first lead on the 7th.

The two would seesaw back and forth until Hayes won the 14th and 15th holes to take the lead for good, 2 up. Jones did win No. 16 to move within 1 down but a halve on No. 17 and a win on the 18th closed out the title tilt for Hayes.

“It feels great. It was a long week, especially with all the rain delays and waiting around,” Hayes told the Alabama Golf Association. “It was a lot of golf in a few days, but it feels so good to get it done.”

Hayes reached the finals thanks to a hard fought 2&1 win in the semifinals against top-seed Matt Johnson earlier in they day. Johnson, a former Troy golfer, led 1 up through 11 holes before Hayes won the 13th, 14th and 16th holes to claim the match.

Jones bested six-seed Steven Groover 1 up in the semis to move on to the finals. After 10 holes, Jones held a 3 up lead and from there, he was able to hold on against the former Auburn Tiger.

-The Alabama Golf Association contributed to this story

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