Regular Division champions were, from left, Ryder Pierce and Zane Penney
photo by Contributed
After entering Sunday’s final round of the Moccasin Bend City Four-Ball with a two-shot lead in the Regular Division Championship Flight, Ryder Pierce and Zane Penney knew they would need a repeat performance of their opening round 60 in order to contend for the title.
The duo accomplished that feat to perfection, but it did not happen without a challenge from the defending champions.
Last year’s winners Keoni Vidrine and Wes Spillers eagled the final hole to cap a furious finish that saw them shoot 6-under over their final five holes to secure the clubhouse lead at 23-under after compiling a score of 58 on Sunday.
Suddenly finding themselves trailing by one shot, Pierce and Penney were two groups behind Vidrine and Spillers knowing what was needed in order to claim the championship. They responded with a birdie at No. 17 to pull even, then birdied the par-5 18th to close with a winning score of 24-under after posting their second straight round of 60.
Pierce and Penney made the turn in 29, but three straight pars to open their inward nine opened the door for their pursuers. But five birdies over their final six holes enabled the winning side to complete the one-shot victory as they amassed 12 birdies.
Spillers and Vidrine closed both of their nines on Sunday with eagles that led to shooting 29 on both sides at Moccasin Bend after accumulating ten birdies and six pars on the day.
Josh Coley and Parker Gray, who won the 1st Flight title at 21-under, combined for an impressive 58 on Sunday that featured three eagles to finish third overall. Chris Wells and Chip Thomas were fourth overall at 20-under with consecutive rounds of 62.
Five pairings finished at 17-under including Mason Bankston and Hayden Hunneke along with Ramsey Kimbrough and Matt Crowder in the Championship Flight, while three teams in the 1st Flight equaled that mark in Jeff Greeson/Gavin Greeson, Allen Swetman/Drew Linkous, and PJ Shields/Chase Cole.
Mike Dunn and Ryan Cox won the 2nd Flight in a scorecard playoff after finishing tied with Ed Clendenen and Jeremy Loftis at 12-under. Aaron Frizzell and Josh Height claimed the 3rd Flight with a 13-under total, and Duke Dang and Peter Ko won the 4th Flight with a final score of 5-under.
Bankston, Cook Win Senior Crown
Greg Bankston and Doug Cook posted a final round 62 to win the Senior Division Championship Flight by four shots with a total of 22-under
An eagle at No. 9 highlighted their round that also featured nine birdies, enabling the duo to maintain their advantage after entering the day with a two-shot lead when they opened with a 60 on Saturday.
Doug Darr and Rocky Sutherland finished second at 18-under after shooting 64 thanks to an eagle at 18, two shots ahead of Brent Henley and Shonn Weldon in third place at 16-under.
Henley and his brother, Kip, had won the last three Senior crowns, but Kip was unavailable as he was in South Dakota caddying for Brian Gay on the PGA Tour Champions.
Johnny Pierce and Jimmy Pierce were named winners for the 1st Flight after finishing in a tie at 13-under with Tim Saunders and Jeff Ott. Mark Guhne and Billy Weathers shot 11-under to win the 2nd Flight by two strokes.
Ivan Riden and Brian Ghormley tied with Joe Markham and Gary Davis at 8-under for 3rd Flight honors, and Ronnie Siniard and Mike Mixson captured the 4th Flight crown by one shot by finishing at even par.
For complete results, go to Moccasin Bend City Four-Ball.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com
Greg Bankston, left, and Doug Cook claimed the Senior title
photo by Contributed