Howard Clendenin of Seville tuned up for his trip to Alabama and the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship next week by tuning up the field at the Akron District Golf Association’s Golfer of the Year Tournament over the three courses of Firestone Country Club this past weekend.
With an opening day 69 Friday on the West Course and some solid ball striking on the North on Saturday and the South Course on Sunday, Clendenin romped to a five-shot victory over Aaron Crewse and by seven over defending champion Don Padgett III.
It was Clendenin’s first Golfer of the Year appearance, and it was a strong one. Given how well Clendenin played throughout, the outcome in Sunday’s final round in the Championship Division came as no surprise.
But it was a totally unexpected shift of fortune in the Senior Division.
Mark Thomas of Jackson Township began Sunday’s final round at Firestone South with a commanding seven stroke lead.
But a tough final round 81 against a big rally of 73 by Nick Lambos turned into a one shot victory for the Canton resident.
It came down to the final hole too, as Thomas’ birdie putt on 18 dipped down into the cup for just a second before running past the edge of the hole.
Lambos still had a 5-footer for bogey at that point, and a birdie make by Thomas would have really added some pressure. But Lambos ran in his downhill putt right into the heart for a one shot victory.
See more from the ADGA GOY Photo Gallery from Sunday’s South Course action here.
The weather could not have been better for all three days of the GOY Tournament, making the event just that much more special; thanks to Firestone Country Club for hosting the ADGA.
The players offer a big tip-of-the-cap to Directors Tim Davis and Dave Chapple for all of their hard work not only on this event, but throughout a long tournament golf season. The effort is very much appreciated.
Thanks to TireSource for their sponsorship of the Golfer of the Year Tournament, and to FootJoy (Joe Lombardi), Titleist (Mark Wise) and the people at Golf Galaxy for the merchandise and prizes given to players at the event. And finally, thanks to Nick Lambos for three day’s worth of closest-to-the-pin KFC gift certificate prizes on two holes each day for each division.
Here’s looking forward to a great 2014 ADGA season next spring!
FINAL RESULTS:
Akron District Golf Association
2013 Golfer of the Year Tournament
Firestone Country Club, Akron Ohio
West / North / South Courses
September 27 – 29, 2013
Championship Division
Howard Clendenin – 69-73-76 = 218 – $500
Aaron Crewse – 71-74-78 = 223 – $450
Don Padgett III – 68-78-79 = 225 – $400
Ty Kovach – 74-76-78 = 228 – $350
Chris Plute – 72-76-81 = 229 – $300
Anthony Yacovazzi – 71-75-84 = 230 – $250
Dean Cutlip – 74-76-81 = 231 – $215
Rob Schustrich – 84-71-76 = 231 – $215
Bobby Spino – 79-72-81 = 232 – $90
Kurt Peterson – 81-76-75 = 232 – $90
Dave Trier – 82-74-78 = 234
Quinn Parker – 76-83-78 = 237
Brian Vincelette – 78-78-85 = 241
Mike Lower – 80-87-74 = 241
Mike Simpson – 81-82-79 = 242
Matt Kloetzer – 86-82-75 = 243
Al Freeman – 75-78-91 = 244
Dan Marr – 81-79-84 = 244
Patrick Osbourn – 77-88-81 = 246
Russ Rybka – 78-87-88 = 253
Joe Strawinski – 80-82-92 = 254
Bruce Bailey – 83-90-94 = 267
Mike Armour – 91-96-83 = 270
Mike Snodgrass – NC-81-WD = WD
Sean Waters – NC-79-WD = WD
Tommy Li – 84-79-WD = WD
RD3 SKINS: $30 ea
Patrick Osbourn #2 Eagle, #13 Birdie
Mike Lower #5 Birdie, #10 Birdie
Anthony Yacovazzi #6 Birdie
Don Padgett III #14 Birdie
Al Freeman #15 Birdie
Russ Rybka #18 Birdie
Senior Division
Nick Lambos – 69-77-73 = 219 – $500
Mark Thomas – 69-70-81 = 220 – $450
Sam Spino – 72-77-77 = 226 – $400
Tim Davis – 78-72-77 = 227 – $350
Jim Cea – 75-75-79 = 229 – $300
Dave Cutlip – 75-74-81 = 230 – $240
Larry Lahnan – 80-75-75 = 230 – $240
Ron Bell – 75-77-79 = 231 -$200
Joe Hedrick – 75-75-82 = 232 – $90
Tom Skidmore – 78-75-79 = 232 – $90
Bill Downing – 75-75-83 = 233
Tom Seever – 73-85-75 = 233
Randy Skorman – 76-75-83 = 234
Fred Miller – 76-78-82 = 236
Joel Recht – 79-80-77 = 236
Fred Martin – 82-82-73 = 237
Jim Tarter – 81-79-77 = 237
Tom Stack – 81-77-83 = 241
Ed Marsinek – 85-79-79 = 243
Steve Wilson – 78-77-88 = 243
Jim Niskanen – 80-86-82 = 248
Tom Markham – 85-77-88 = 250
Dave Woodrum – 84-81-86 = 251
Mark Ciccarello – 78-78-95 = 251
Larry Zimmerman – 80-85-87 = 252
Tom Thompson – 85-85-84 = 254
Terry Szwast – 87-90-79 = 256
Raul Mendoza – 90-84-92 = 266
Bill Stemple – NC-85-86 = NC
RD3 SENIOR SKINS: $48 ea
Tom Seever #8 Birdie, #10 Birdie, #14 Eagle
Nick Lambos #11 Birdie
Fred Miller #15 Birdie
