Matt Gourgeot wins Spirit of America in a playoff

DECATUR, AL (July 10, 2016) -- It took four holes but in the end Matt Gourgeot was able to outlast Neil Gannaway in a four hole playoff and win the Spirit of America at Burningtree Country Club. Both players finished even-par for the week. Gourgeot, the 36-hole leader, reached the playoff after rounds of 71-74-70-69. On the final day Gourgeot started slowly and was 3-over for the day after 12 holes, 4-over for the tournament before turning his around over the course of the last six holes. Gourgeot got things going with a birdie on No. 14 and then followed that up with an eagle on the par-5 16th. With two holes remaining Gourgeot birdied the 17th to reach even-par for the week and conclude a 4-under in four hole stretch. Neil Gannaway who recently finished his collegiate career at Tennessee Tech where he played golf and football carded rounds of 73-69-72-70 during the week. Gannaway tallied four birdies and two bogeys during his 2-under final round. Will Thrash (Huntingdon) was third at 1-over, 54-hole leader Michael Peter (North Alabama) faltered on the final day before finishing fourth at 3-over while Blake Messer (Auburn) rounded out the top-5 by totaling a 4-over score.