While most of the field had trouble holding the 140 yard 17th hole Sunday under gusting winds, Davis, a freshman recruit of the Indiana Hoosiers Golf Team, had an excellent tee shot to the open side of the green, leaving himself a 25 foot putt for birdie. Meanwhile, three-time champion Andy Roderique of Frankfort, IL had his shot bound over the green, from where he chipped up, and faced a six-footer for par. Davis then drained his putt while Roderique missed his, and they were all square.
On the 18th, Davis played a solid, low 80 yard tee shot through gusting crosswinds, stopping 30 feet away, just on the back fringe. Roderique then had trouble, hitting into the bunker short and left of the hole, pitching out to six feet past the green, and then chipping to two feet for bogey. Davis was able to calmly two putt to become the ZTO’s 37th champion and win his first Zigfield Troy straw hat.
Davis’ 1-under-par total of 107 was well off the 36-hole tournament record of 101, but was well played under windy and steamy conditions over the July 1st weekend.
Davis also led a Hoosier sweep of the tournament’s three divisions this year. Aldo Buffone, 72 of Scherrerville, had a huge eight stroke win in the Super Senior division, while former ZTO champion Rick Grassel of Chesterton had a four stroke win in the Senior division.
Will Troy of Naperville had the only hole-in-one during this year’s play, acing the 115 yard 11th hole on Saturday.
Editor's Note: Article by Zigfield Troy Golf
“Bombers” need not apply. This is one tournament where precision iron accuracy and a sharp chipping and putting game are essential. Welcome to the famous Zigfield Troy Open, one of the premier Par- 3 golf tournaments in America.
The Par-3 tournament honors course founder Zigfield Troy and is one of the few Par-3 events anywhere that is run like a PGA Tour event or other professional tournaments. Golfers’ names are announced on the first tee prior to tee off. A huge scoreboard highlights everyone’s name, score for each round, plus totals and the round’s leaders – all done in handsome professional calligraphy.