In dramatic fashion, Dave Sotka of Chardon made a great saving par on the second sudden death playoff hole at Madison Country Club to win the 2014 Greater Cleveland Shoot-Out.
There was some solid play on Labor Day Monday as Sotka and Phil Bojc of Mentor both posted even par rounds of 71. So it was on to a playoff.
On the par four first playoff hole, Sotka hit the fairway but Bojc pushed it right behind the trees. Sotka hit first onto the green leaving himself a 15 foot birdie putt. Bojc then lifted his second shot over the trees to find the left side of the green. Both players made par.
On the 415-yard par four 2nd playoff hole, Bojc took a risk with the creek 270 yards off the tee by hitting driver but easily cleared the hazard leaving himself just 92 yards from the green from the middle of the fairway. Sotka hit a hybrid club to layup but pushed it right. Fortunately for Sotka, his ball ended up in the 3rd fairway leaving himself a shot at the green from 192 yards away. Bojc hit his 2nd shot on the green but about 30 foot above the hole. Sotka hit a great second shot over the trees to just off the right edge of the green. Sotka chipped up to about 6 feet. Bojc’s first putt ended up 5 feet short leaving himself a tricky downhill putt for par. Sotka made his putt and Bojc missed giving Sotka the victory.
This was Sotka’s first Greater Cleveland Shoot-Out victory.
Finishing in third place with a 72 was last year’s champion Steve Blackburn Jr. of Willowick with a one over score of 72. Rob Schustrich of Windham grabbed fourth with a 74 and Jarrod Dixon of Ashtabula and Steve Blackburn Sr. of Lyndhurst tied for 5th with 75’s.
John Niedzialek, Tournament Director notes, “The event originated at Fairway Pines Golf Course in 1993 by the late Ed Tresger and is carried on today. It features sponsorship funds which makes this one of the best one-day payouts for amateur golfers in the area. A big thanks for Madison Country Club for the course being in great shape and offering our players special rates for the tournament.”
FINAL RESULTS – Top Scores:
2014 Greater Cleveland Shoot-Out Championship
Madison Country Club, Madison OH
Monday, September 1, 2014
2nd Phil Bojc, Mentor 71 $405
3rd Steve Blackburn Jr., Willowick 72 $255
4th Rob Shustrich, Windham 73 $205
5th Jarrod Dixon, Ashtabula 75 $90
5th Steve Blackburn Sr.’ Lyndhurst 75 $90
7th Paul Kish, Painesville Twp. 76
8th Brian Perkins, Hambden Twp. 77
9th Bill Spear, Munson Twp. 79
9th Joey DiDonato, Olmsted Falls 79
11th Robert Karshner, Painesville 80
