Michael McDermott Wins the 2017 Crump Cup

PINE VALLEY, NJ (September 24, 2017) - Michael McDermott (Bryn Mawr, PA) won the 93rd Crump Memorial Tournament at Pine Valley Golf Club, defeating Bill Williamson (Cincinnati, OH) 1 up in the final.

It was the second Crump Cup title for McDermott, having previously won in 2012.

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“I guess there is something about Pine Valley and Crump week that makes this week more special than all the others for me,” said the winner McDermott, when asked what it is about this tournament that brings out the best in him. “I guess a little home course knowledge doesn't hurt either.”

When the day started, four players were still alive in the championship match play flight. In the first semifinal match, McDermott defeated Jamie Miller (Silver Creek, NY) 2&1.

Williamson's road to the championship couldn't have been more difficult, having to face three past Crump Cup champions and the reigning U.S. Mid-Amateur champion.

Williamson, who had the low round on day one of stroke play qualifying, started match play by beating Walker Cupper and U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Stewart Hagestad (Newport Beach, CA) 4&2, and then taking out the defending champion Jeff Knox (Atlanta, GA) 6&4.

That momentum continued in his Sunday morning semifinal, as he eliminated two-time Crump Cup champion Michael Muehr (Potomac Falls, VA) 2 up.

Against McDermott, Williamson was within one hole of his first Crump Cup title, holding a 1 up lead in the 17th fairway. But to the treacherous back-right pin on the short par four, McDermott hit the shot of the tournament, holing out with an audacious 125-yard 52-degree wedge shot that squared the match and flipped the momentum heading to the long par four 18th.

According to McDermott, it was a do-or-die shot, knowing "the match was over" if he were to hit it over the green.

On the 18th, a par was good enough for McDermott to win the hole and the match.

John McClure, Senior Crump Cup champion (USGA photo)

In the Senior Division, John McClure (Austin, TX) defeated Randy Haag (Orinda, CA) on the 19th hole. Haag actually had a six-foot putt for the win on the 18th hole but could not convert, and when he found the trees on the 19th, McClure played safely and made a bogey which was good enough to close out the match. McClure, who was the stroke play medalist by four shots, beat Bob Kain (Cleveland, OH) in the morning 3&2 to reach the final.

In the other morning semifinal, Haag squared off against Gene Elliott (W. Des Moines, IA) in a matchup of former Crump Cup champions looking to add the Senior title. Haag won the Crump Cup in 2000 and 2002, and Elliott won in 2013. In a surprisingly one-sided match, Haag won 5&4.

>> CRUMP CUP FINAL MATCH PLAY RESULTS

Sunday Match Play Notes: The Pine Valley gates opened up to the public to watch the final matches, and while most followed the championship final match between Michael McDermott and Bill Williamson, there were four other matches on the course: the McClure/Haag senior final, the second and third flight match play finals, and the senior second flight match play final.

Fortunately for the spectators, there was plenty of golf to watch, as all five matches went at least 17 holes, four went to the 18th, and two went to the 19th.

Todd Mitchell (Bloomington, IL) won the Second Flight 2&1 over Dan Horner (Sandy, UT).

William Smith (Newville, PA) won the Third Flight 1 up over Rob Couture (Dallas, TX).

George "Buddy" Marucci (Palm Beach, FL), a former U.S. Senior Amateur champion who is probably better known for finishing runner-up to Tiger Woods in the 1995 U.S. Amateur, won the Senior Second Flight over Jeff Burda (Modesto, CA) on the 19th hole.