News >> Harmon Outduels Peffley In Playoff

The 2010 Crystal Lake Open
Presented by 640 WGST
Hampton, GA
 
Hampton, GA (April 25, 2010)…Former Michigan State golfer Matt Harmon outlasted Blaine Peffley on the first playoff hole Sunday to capture his third career NGA Hooters Tour title at the Crystal Lake Open at Crystal Lake Golf and Country Club. (Pictured left to right, Tournament Director Jeff Harlow, Champion Matt Harmon and head proffessional Chris Busbee)
 
Both Harmon and Peffley started the third and final round trailing second round leader Will Claxton by two strokes but Harmon was the one that started off like the hare in the race making four birdies over his first eight holes to turn at twelve-under par while Peffley, the former Maryland Terrapin, started slowly like the tortoise with two birdies and bogey over his first nine holes to get to nine-under par.
 
The tournament committee shortened the tournament to fifty-four holes after heavy rains and thunderstorms swept through the Atlanta, Georgia area on Saturday setting up a race for the title on Sunday.
 
The roles reversed on the back nine though as Peffley found lightning in a bottle and made three birdies and an eagle to get to fourteen-under par 202 first. Playing in the group directly behind Peffley, Harmon entered the 54th hole trailing by one needing a birdie to force the playoff. Harmon hit a perfect drive on the par 5 18th hole but missed a five wood that left him in front of the greenside bunker with a difficult pitch to a tucked hole location.
 
After hitting his pitch shot fifteen feet past the hole, Harmon calmly drained the putt for birdie and then he and Peffley headed back to the par five 18th hole for a sudden death playoff.
 
On the first playoff hole both golfers found the fairway with their drives. Harmon was the first to hit and smoked his five-wood to about ten feet for eagle, while Peffley found the front greenside bunker with his second. (Peffley pictured right)
 
“On the 54th hole I hit a great drive and set myself up with a great spot to go at the green in two but I hit a terrible five-wood was just short,” said the twenty-five year old Harmon. “In the playoff, I had the same exact situation and lucky for me the wind helped my five-wood reach the green.”
 
After Peffley blasted out of the bunker to nine feet, Harmon two putted for his birdie and had to wait to see if Peffley could force another playoff hole. Peffley’s putt danced over the hole and instead of dropping in for four, rolled past giving Harmon the victory.
 
“I was sure he made the putt and was expecting to head back to the tee for another hole,” said Harmon. “The ball seemed to roll over air and for some reason didn’t drop in.”
 
Harmon collected $31,650 for his third career NGA Hooters Tour title, while Peffley settled for $16,847 for his first runner-up of the season.
 
With his win, Harmon also takes the early lead in the Race For The Fort Smith Classic Exemption given to the NGA Hooters Tour member that accumulates the most money in the four events in April and May.
 
Richmond, Virginia’s Jay Woodson matched the low round of the tournament Sunday with a seven-under par 65 and joined former US Deaf Champion golfer Kevin Hall in a tie for third place at thirteen-under par. Hall a former Big Ten champion from Ohio State carded a four-under par 68 Sunday to have his best career finish on the NGA Hooters Tour. (Kevin Hall and father left and Jay Woodson pictured right)
Newnan’s Matt Lawson headed up the local contention in the Crystal Lake Open after he carded a three round total of even par 216.
The NGA Hooters Tour heads to McCormick, South Carolina next week for the Savannah Lakes Village Classic at the Monticello Course at Savannah Lakes Village. This will be the eighth straight year the NGA Hooters Tour has visited the beautiful Monticello Course.
HOOTS: The NGA Hooters Tour would like to thank head professional Chris Busbee and all of his staff for helping run a smooth event even though the weather didn’t cooperate. The tour would also like to thank head superintendant Paul Britt and his staff for giving our players an immaculate course to play on each day and for putting in the extra time to get the course ready for the final round after heavy storms hit the Atlanta area on Saturday.