News >> Smith Electrifies Touchstone Energy Open

The Touchstone Energy Open
Presented by Brook Valley CC and Michelob Ultra
Brook Valley CC
June 22-25, 2006
 
Greenville, NC (June 25, 2006)…Justin Smith (Franklin, PA) fired a one-under par 71 in Sunday’s final round of the Touchstone Energy Open over the 6821 yard, par 72 Brook Valley Country Club to capture his second career Hooters Tour title.
 
“I was hitting the ball really well this week and I had a couple of good breaks early in the week,” said the soon to be twenty-four year old Smith. “I played solid today and never gave those guys (Wittenberg and Claxton) a chance to get any momentum; I did what I needed to do to win.”
 
“Tomorrow’s my birthday and this win is just an early present to myself,” said an ecstatic Smith after his round.
                                                                                                                
The former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher fired rounds of 70-65-66-71 for a four day total of sixteen-under par 272 and a convincing six stroke victory over Casey Wittenberg (Memphis, TN). Wittenberg finished the event at ten-under par 278.
 
Will Claxton (Auburn, AL) finished all alone in third place at nine-under par 279 for the week.
 
Derek Brown (Walnut Cove) headed up the North Carolina contingent in The Touchstone Energy Open after firing a four day total of two-under par 286, while Chapel Hill’s Jake Reeves finished at five-over par 293 for the week.
 
Justin Smith collects a career best $31,359 for winning his second career title, while Wittenberg earned $15,669 for his second place finish.  
 
“I was able to prove that I belong out here with my win last year, but the win today proves to me that if I play to my ability I can probably win any given week out here.”
 
The Hooters Tour takes two weeks off before swinging back into action July 10-16 in Haughton, Louisiana for the Olde Oaks Classic.