Brian Pentek of Painesville won his first-ever stroke play golf title on Monday, and it was a big one to win: the 2012 Greater Cleveland Shoot-Out Championship at Fowlers Mill Golf Course on Labor Day.
Pentek, who has 26 300-games as a bowler, found a way to roll his golf ball into the hole when it mattered most on his way to his first tournament victory. Coming down the stretch, he birdied both the par-four 16th hole and the difficult par-three 17th hole back-to-back, and it looked as if he might win the tournament outright coming into the par-5 18th.
But Penteck 3-putted the 18th hole in regulation play to shoot 74, requiring a playoff with pre-tournament favorite Rob Schustrich of Windham, who will be heading to Conway Farms Golf Club in Illinois this week after qualifying for the U.S. Mid-Amateur recently.
After signing cards, the players headed to the first tee at Fowlers for the playoff. Penteck did not let the 3-putt get into his head, as he played the first playoff hole with determination against a much a more experienced Schustrich.
Pentek bombed his drive at the 420-yard 1st hole, leaving just 100-yards for his second shot.
Schustrich hit the fairway as well, but 50 yards behind Pentek. Schustrich’s approach shot on the first playoff hole landed over the green and left him a nearly impossible up and down that led to double-bogey.
Pentek hit a wedge second shot that landed 5-feet above the pin and sucked off the front edge of the green. From there, he two-putted for his par and the victory.
“It feels good to be able to compete with these guys,” Pentek remarked.
The victory earned Pentek $750.
Pentek, who has not made a skin all year in the Greater Cleveland Skins Game even though he’s made a good number of tough birdies, also had two skins on the night worth $102 each, making it a very profitable trip to Fowlers Mill.
Congratulations to Brian!
Schustrich earned $450 for his second place finish.
Finishing in third place just one-shot out of the playoff was last year’s Greater Cleveland Skins Game Champion Dave Sotka of Chardon, who fired a score of 75 worth $310.
Sam Corabi of Painesville and Mark Foss of Mayfield Heights both shot 77 to tie for the 4th spot worth $160 each.
Mark White of Cuyahoga Falls shot 79 and captured the last payoff by finishing 6th and earning $60.
The Greater Cleveland Shoot-out was originated by course owner Ed Tresger of Fairway Pines and continues today with local sponsorship funds. Bob Sotka Painting and Blonde John Ticket Sales sponsored this year’s event to generate a $1,900 purse for participants of the Greater Cleveland Skins Game.
Skin winners were Joey DiDonato with a birdie on the 1st hole, Bob Karshner with birdie skins with on both the 2nd and 5th holes, Ron Miller with a birdie on the 15th hole, Dave Sotka with birdie on number 8, and Brian Pentek with birdies on both the 16th and 17th holes. Skins were worth $102 each.
FINAL RESULTS: 2012 Greater Cleveland Shoot-Out
Fowlers Mill Golf Course, Chesterland, Ohio
Monday, September 3, 2012 | Par 72
Top Finishers
Brian Pentek 74* $750
Rob Schustrich 74 $450
Dave Sotka 75 $310
Sam Corabi 77 $160
Mark Foss 77 $160
Mark White 79 $60
Tim Cebula 80
Steve Blackburn Sr. 80
Bob Karshner 81
Mike Angie 82
Dan Predovic 82
19 players total
*won playoff
