Jaimie Voegeli (Golf Oklahoma)

Voegeli’s good friend Tyler Hunt was on the other side of the bracket and blew a 1 up lead on the 18th hole in the semifinal match. Losing the first playoff hole, Hunt gave way to Norman, Oklahoma native Charlie Jackson.

Hopping into Voegeli’s cart, the duo navigated their way through the Patriot Golf Club, gaining a 3 up advantage through just seven holes.

“Tyler really is the reason I’m here,” Voegeli told Golf Oklahoma. “He got me started playing again.”

Although down three early, Jackson fought back. Getting it back down to a one-hole lead, Jackson could not stop the putting clinic Voegeli was putting on.

Being 2 up with just five holes left, Voegeli’s marathon of two rounds a day for three days finally began to wear on him. Walking off the 13th green, Voegeli told Hunt how tired he was.

“He [Hunt] told me I wasn’t tired and just needed to make one good swing,” remarked Voegeli.

He made more than just one good swing. With 270 yards into the par-5 15th, Voegeli and Hunt ran through their options. Instead of laying up, the duo decided to trust a 20-year-old 3 wood, a club that is older than Voegeli’s opponent who is heading to Abilene Christian next month. Executing the shot to near perfection, Voegeli cleaned up a two-putt for birdie and extended his lead to 3 up with three to go.

After Jackson delayed his win on 16, Voegeli took the crown on 17 with a birdie to win 3&1.

“I certainly didn’t expect to win this, but I’ve been playing really well leading up to it and I thought if I just stick to my game plan and execute one shot at a time, I would have a chance to beat anybody,” Voegeli said. “It sounds cliché, but that’s the mindset I had in all six matches.

“I’m really grateful to Tyler for jumping in and helping me out. I know he was disappointed not to be in the finals. He’s a great friend and really the reason I’m playing golf today.”

Voegeli is now one for one in Oklahoma’s top amateur event, having never played in it before.