Jeff Jamieson (Credit: Carolinas Golf Assoc.)
The final round of the North Carolina Senior Amateur was a stressful endeavor for Jeff Jamieson. After navigating the Croasdaile Country Club in a slick 3-under par the first two rounds, a 78 nearly lost him the championship.
The day started with Jamieson in complete control with a four shot lead over his playing partners
Sherrill Britt and
Steve Harwell. Jamieson's round started auspiciously with a birdie on the first hole followed by three pars. It was clear that Harwell was up for a chase though, as he opened his round with birdies on the first and second holes.
“I love this golf course, it is truly one of my favorite courses,” said Jamieson after this round. “I have played here twice in the Durham Senior and came in second both times so I kind of knew how to play it. I love the greens and normally I putt really well on them, so that is what was clicking for me for the first two rounds.”
However, Jamieson bogeyed seven of his next eight holes, including five straight dropped shots on holes 5-9. In the blink of an eye, Harwell's 34 helped him make up six shots on the front nine and pulled into a tie for the lead with the staggering Jamieson.
Sherrill Britt was trying to keep pace, but, Like Jamieson, he shot a 40.
“When I made the turn I was thinking about something I heard from Nick Faldo on TV,” said Jamieson. “He said even though you played badly, you are still tied for the lead with nine holes left to go and who wouldn’t give any amount of money out here to be in that position. So I started thinking about how many guys here would love to be in this position and that gave me a positive mindset for the back-nine.”
As is the lesson in many golf tournaments, it's not over until it's over. After Jamieson bogeyed holes 11 and 12, Harwell found himself in the lead by one shot with just six holes remaining. A birdie on the 15th for Harwell wasn't enough to negate double bogeys on the 14th and 17th holes. He closed with a 39 on the back.
The most steady back nine was turned in by Britt, who made two birdies and two bogeys en route to a 36, leaving him two shots behind Jamieson.
As for the winner Jamieson, he was able to steady himself after that run of bogeys from holes 5-12 and played the final six holes in even par. He birdied the 15th hole. A bogey on 17 burned a bit of insurance, but he was able to make par on 18 and secure the victory.
The scores throughout the three rounds were proof of how challenging the course was playing. There were only four rounds under par and Jamieson's opening 69 was the only round in the 60s. It proved a pivotal opening round to grant him the breathing space he needed for an exciting final round win.
“It feels absolutely fabulous to win today,” said Jamieson. “I kept thinking, what do you have to do to breakthrough, and while I am still trying to figure that out, I know that I am getting closer and closer to being able to contend with these guys regularly.”
Sounds like Jeff Jamieson might have found a recipe for success.
View results for North Carolina Senior Amateur
ABOUT THE North Carolina Senior Amateur
Must be a resident of North Carolina and a
member of a CGA member club. Maximum
handicap 9.9.
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