Rusty Strawn (Left) and Jim Doing (Reynolds Senior Photo)
There was no lack of drama at the Reynolds Senior Invitational at Reynolds Lake Oconee and Great Waters in Eatonton, Ga.
After 54 holes, a four-man playoff was needed to determine the winner.
The first and final round was played at Great Waters, and the second round was played at The Oconee.
When it was all said and done, a birdie on the second playoff hole, No. 11, was all Jim Doing needed to secure the win.
"It was a great week," Doing said. "This was my first time coming down for an invitational-type thing."
The retired professor at Wisconsin played in the event because wanted to play in more national events to earn World Amateur Golf Ranking points.
Doing shot a final round 3-under 69 to make the playoff after starting the day five shots back of the 36-hole leader Jack Hall. Hall shot a final round 2-over 74 to give some hope to the rest of the field.
"My goal today was just to play my best and try to go low," Doing said. "Try to birdie every hole."
Doing added, "I played great. I felt like all three days, I hit the ball well. I putted well. The greens were fast, and the downhill putts were really fast."
Doing made a three-footer for birdie on No. 17 to get to 2-under total and lipped out a birdie putt on No. 18.
Doing, Hall, Ronnie Clark, and Robert Funk made up the playoff, all of them finishing at 2-under.
In the playoff, all of the golfers made par on the first playoff hole, No. 10.
However, Doing drove the ball into the fairway bunker and had to punch it out. He had 125 yards into the green and put his approach shot to four feet to save par.
Then on the second playoff hole, No. 11, Doing threw a dart to two feet and made the putt to make a birdie and win the Invite.
"It was a privilege to play," Doing said. "These courses are great."
Doing shot rounds of 71-74-69 to finish 2-under.
Marcus Beck won the Super Senior Division at 2-under by one shot, Robert Dewitt won the Legends Division at 7-over by six shots, and Don Marsh won the Grand Master Division at 4-over.
ABOUT THE Reynolds Senior Invitational
Formerly known as the Geranium Senior Invitational,
this is a 54-hole stroke play tournament
for national seniors with four divisions: Senior, Super
Senior, Legend and Grand Master.
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