News >> Ellis Wins Playoff Over Hendrix
The Chattahoochee Hospice Classic
Overlook Golf Links
August 12-15, 2010
LaGrange, GA (August 15, 2010)…Former Mississippi golfer Kyle Ellis outlasted Matt Hendrix on the first playoff hole Sunday to capture his first career NGA Hooters Tour title at The Chattahoochee Hospice Classic at Overlook Golf Links.
Ellis began the day at thirteen-under par trailing third round leaders Hendrix and Grant Leaver (Centerville, TN) by two strokes. The former Ole Miss golfer started off slow on Sunday making five pars and bogey over his first six holes but was able to get his round going with back to back birdies on holes seven and eight to make the turn at one-under par 34.
“The golf course was playing different today whether it was the rain overnight or the wind direction today and I just wanted to pace myself and make a few birdies here and there and try not to make mistakes that would cost me,” said the twenty-six year old Ellis. “I have been playing well all year and just needed a few breaks to go my way and today luckily they did with a lengthy birdie on seven and a chip in for birdie on number eight.”
While Ellis was struggling to begin his final round, former Clemson University
All-American Hendrix was starting off consistent with two birdies and seven pars on his opening nine to move to seventeen-under par and in the driver’s seat to capture his first title.
All-American Hendrix was starting off consistent with two birdies and seven pars on his opening nine to move to seventeen-under par and in the driver’s seat to capture his first title.
The roles reversed on the back nine though as Hendrix was unable to capitalize on chances and made eight pars and a lone bogey to finish at sixteen-under par 268. While Hendrix was struggling in the group behind him, Ellis was continuing his solid play and entered the final hole needing a birdie to tie Hendrix at sixteen-under. Ellis stuck his approach shot to ten feet and then calmly sank the putt to post a three-under par 68 and a four day total of sixteen-under par 268. After Hendrix knocked in a three foot par putt on the 18th hole, the pair headed back to eighteen tee for a sudden death playoff.
On the first playoff hole both golfers found the fairway with their drives. Hendrix was the first to hit and left his approach short of the hole about thirty feet, while Ellis was aggressive and had his approach roll past the hole and end it up in the rough about eight feet behind the hole. Hendrix was aggressive with his first putt and rolled it by the hole eight feet, while Ellis flubbed his chip and left himself about six feet for par. After Hendrix missed his par attempt, Ellis drained his par putt for his first win.
“He (Hendrix) ran his putt by the hole on his first attempt and after I missed by third shot we both had difficult par saves,” said Ellis. “I had my buddy Scott Tashie help me read the line and I confidently drained it for the win.”
“This win is definitely a confidence booster for me going into the final three events of the season and also going into PGA Tour Q-school in the fall.”
Ellis collects $30,000 for his first career NGA Hooters Tour title, while Hendrix takes home $15,901 for his runner-up finish.
Michael Welch (Quincy, MA) and David Skinns (Lincoln, England) finished tied for third one stroke out of the playoff at fifteen-under 269. Welch carded a seven-under par 64 vaulting up the leaderboard fifteen spots while Skinns carded a four-under par 67. The pair will take home $9,851 for their third place finishes.
LaGrange’s Taylor Hall posted a five over par 76 and finished at one over par 285, while Overlook Golf Links owner Grant Cagle finished at six over par 290 thanks to a two over par 73 on Sunday.
With his T-53 finish Sunday, Russell Knox (Scotland) captured the Race For The Knoxville Nationwide Exemption. The Race For The Knoxville Exemption was given to the NGA Hooters Tour member that accumulated the most points in the Auburn, AL; Tunica, MS; and LaGrange, GA events. Knox was able to hold off Grant Leaver by a mere 55 points.
The NGA Hooters Tour will take a week off before swinging back into action August 23-29 in Hawkinsville, Georgia for the ComSouth Classic at Southern Hills Golf Club.
HOOTS: The NGA Hooters Tour would like to thank Director of Golf Rob Witherington, Head professional Bobby Sabia, owner Grant Cagle and all of their staffs for all their help this week. Without the help of the golf staff and volunteers this event wouldn’t have run so smoothly each day. The tour would also like to thank head superintendant Zack Ogles and his staff for their help this week as well.
