Charlotte local Johns Eades
(CGA Photo)
CHARLOTTE, NC (April 23, 2017) - Charlotte local
Johns Eades overcame a six shot deficit in driving
rain and wind to earn his first CGA title at the 37th
Carolinas Mid-Amateur. As the field struggled in the
difficult conditions, the 34-year-old's one-under 71
was the only round under par Sunday at Providence
Country Club in Charlotte, N.C.
After playing 36 holes in seven-under-par,
leader Thomas Todd, III was unable to capitalize on
a five shot advantage to begin the day. A final round
82 dropped him into a fifth place finish. "It was a
humbling experience," said the Laurens, S.C. native.
"I missed a three-foot birdie putt on the first hole
and couldn't get it going after that."
Play was delayed nearly an hour in the late
morning for lightning in the area. It was during that
break in action that Eades first checked the
leaderboard. When he saw Todd was already four-
over, he knew he had a chance. "I thought if I could
post something under par, it might be enough with
today's tough conditions," Eades recalled.
"My par-3 game saved me today," said Eades.
"I made birdies on three of the five out there." A
five-iron to two feet for birdie on No. 11 kick started
his back nine charge. A six-iron for a five-foot birdie
put Eades at three-under for the championship.
Despite a closing bogey, Eades' championship total
of two-under 214 secured a two-shot victory.
Representative of most mid-amateurs, Eades
balances work, family and golf. President of his own
leadership development company, LearnLoft, Eades
also has two children under five at home. "When you
get to be a mid-am and you don't play a lot of golf,
you rely on the work you put in the years prior,"
said the former Maryland Terrapin golfer. "Now you
think your way around the course."
This victory validated Eades' belief in his ability.
"I felt like my game is good enough to win on the
mid-amateur circuit. This is a good stepping stone
for me."
Reigning North Carolina Mid-Amateur champion
Greg Earnhardt of Greensboro, N.C. held a share of
the lead thru six holes, but four bogeys on the back
nine erased his chances of holding both mid-
amateur titles. He finished tied for second with Brett
Boner of Charlotte, N.C. at even-par 216.
View results for Carolinas Mid-Amateur
ABOUT THE Carolinas Mid-Amateur
The Carolinas Mid-Amateur Championship format is
54 holes of
stroke play. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the low
60 scores and
ties. Entry is open to any male golfer who has
reached his 30th
birthday, is a legal resident of North or South
Carolina, is a
member in good standing of a club which is a
member of the
Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) and has a current
USGA Handicap
Index® at a member club that does not exceed 7.4.
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