SCOTTSDALE, AZ (April 17, 2010) -- Brian Kreps rolled in a 28-footer on the 54th hole to break out of a four-way tie for first at 10-under par, and win the Whisper Rock Invitational. Kreps and his partner Jonathan Marsico shot 68 on the day, tying them for low round. Ed Cuff, Jr. and Mike Rowley were playing with Kreps and Marsico and had a slightly shorter birdie putt that just missed and finished at 10-under par. In the group right behind, Jim Strickland and Joe Bendetti had a chance to tie for the lead, but failed when Strickland’s chip shot lipped out for birdie. And the final bullet was dodged when overnight co-leaders, Jeb Blacketer and Cooper Johnson missed an 18-footer for birdie on their final hole.
In the Senior Division, it was a two-horse race between past champions. 2008 Champions Bert Atkinson and Stuart Fred birdied Nos. 2, 3, and 4 to cut the five-shot overnight lead to two. But, defending champions Balatti and Haag birdied five of the next six holes to extend the lead back to six and never looked back, capturing their second straight title. Both teams shot 64, the low round of the day. Balatti and Haag’s three-round total of 23-under par (193) set a new tournament record, breaking Atkinson and Fred’s previous mark of 18-under par.
Final results from the Whisper Rock National Invitational follow:
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Mid-Amateur Division (Courses/Yardages: Lower/7203, Upper/7288, Lower/7253)
Senior Division (Courses/Yardages: Upper/6921, Lower/6828, Lower/6772)
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