CONCORD, NH (August 10, 2016) -- It was quite the 36-hole New Hampshire Stroke Play final day for Michael Martel at Beaver Meadow Golf Club. Martel began the day 1-over and trailing by a stroke before surging in the final round with a 7-under 65 to tie for the lead at 6-under, setting up a third hole playoff victory over Damon Salo.
The playoff holes were No. 10 and 18 and after both players made par on each hole they returned to the 10th for a second time. Both players missed the green with their second shots; Salo in the rough and Martel in the bunker. From their Martel was able to get up and down for the winning par.
Martel began Wednesday with a mundane even-par 72 before catching fire during the afternoon fourth round. The round began with five front nine birdies on Nos. 1, 3, 5, 6 and 8 to turn in 5-under 31. The strong play continued on the back nine but birdies were a bit more difficult to come by.
Martel birdied the 10th and 12th holes but also bogeyed Nos. 11, 14 and 15 to fall off the pace a bit. The run of bogeys didn't waver Martel's confidence as he finished with three consecutive birdies to finish 6-under and in a playoff with Damon Salo.
Salo made quite the recovery as he was able to recover from a 7-over 79 first round that included four double-bogeys, three straight to conclude his round. From there Salo rebounded thanks to tallies of 67-65 before wrapping up with a 1-under 71.
Bryant's Ryan Tombs was third and one shot out of the playoff at 5-under. Jim Cilley and 36-hole leader Cam Salo were tied for fourth at 2-under.
Michael Martel claims New Hampshire Stroke Play in Playoff
Michael Martel shoots final round 7-under 65 to reach playoff and then wins in third extra hole