Joe Cielak Loses, then Wins, the Montana Mid-Amateur

8/20/2017 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Joe Cielak (right) wins the 2017 Montana State Mid-Am<br>(Jerek Wolcott/MontanaSports.com photo)

Joe Cielak loses a two-shot lead on the final hole, then rebounds in a playoff at Green Meadow Country Club

HELENA, MT (August 19, 2017) – Libby’s Joe Cielak defeated Ross Bartell of Great Falls in a one-hole playoff at the 31st Montana State Mid-Amateur Championship at Green Meadow Country Club on Saturday. Cielak shot a 4-under-par 67 on Saturday, forcing a tie with Bartell after the tournament’s three rounds. The Libby native hit six birdies, three each on the front and back nine. His bogey on No. 18, coupled with Bartell’s birdie, forced the playoff. The duo headed back to the par-4 No. 1 hole and were deadlocked on the green with par attempts looming. Officials were forced to measure the distances to the hole, with Cielak shooting first. His seven-foot putt for par sunk and Bartell couldn’t match. It was a wild finish to the 31st mid-am tournament, where Helena golfers Parker Heller and Brady Kirkeby each held leads in the first two rounds. Kirkeby, the Helena city champ, finished third while Heller, a former mid-amateur champion, placed fifth. Defending champion Mark Mance of Whitefish earned a fourth-place finish in the tournament. - Richie Melby, MontanaSports.com

About the Montana Mid-Amateur

54-hole stroke play championship run by the Montana State Golf Assocaition. Must be a legal resident of Montana, a current member of the Montana State Golf Association, and have a maximum established handicap index of 15.0.

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