Eagle Creek’s Jeremy Martin won the Northern Kentucky Golf Association’s Men’s Amateur played at Lassing Pointe. Martin shot a six under (70-66 – 136) to edge out defending champion Chris Morris (70-67 – 137) by one stroke. For full story and photos go to kypost.com. Also go to Grant County News.
Jeremy Martin congratulated by his dad (and caddy) Todd. Photo courtesy of kypost.com and John Lachmann.
Zach Wright finished fourth in second flight. For all scores and photos from the NKY Men’s Amateur, go to Northern Kentucky Golf Association.
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Story from the Kentucky Enquirer:
Martin on winning end of friendly rivalry
by Cedric K. Brown
Kentucky Enquirer
July 10, 2009
Jeremy Martin and Chris Morris added another chapter to their budding rivalry this week in the northern Kentucky Amateur Championship tournament at Lassing Point.
It all began with Martin was a junior at Grant County and Morris a senior at Mason County. Thursday’s thrilling 36-hole final round of the tournament’s championship flight did nothing but add more fuel for the opponents, who share respect for each other.
‘We had fun together. Chris is a great guy, ” Martin said Thursday. “A lot of hard work paid off for me today. It just feels good to finally win one.”
Their rivalry goes back to 2006, when the two faced off in high school in the Ninth Region tournament, which Morris won by a slim margin over second-place Martin.
Jeremy Martin receives Men's Amateur championship trophy from Bob Schultz. Photo courtesy of kypost.com and John Lachmann.
Thursday’s round was back-and-forth between Morris and Martin, who both stood at 3 under par entering what would be the decisive hole, the 525-yard, par-5 15th. Morris made par and Martin shot an eagle, thanks to his approach shot from 225 yards out that dropped about 2 feet from the cup.
The eagle putt gave Martin a two-stroke advantage he wouldn’t relinquish.
“(The 15th hole) started with a good drive I had right down the middle,” Martin said. ” The match really turned after I made eagle there. Things just started going my way.”
But the battle was far from over at 15. There was no quit in Morris.
Throught the 34th ant 35th holes, Morris remained two shots behind Martin to stay within striking distance of the leader.
On the par-4 36th, Morris used a 6-iron to drop his second shot from 183 yards out to within 3 feet of the cup, which led to a birdie putt. Unforunately for Morris,Martin dropped his approach shot about 10 feet from the hole, setting him up for the championship-winning par putt.
Morris finished the day at 5-under-par 137.
“I had to make birdie, I knew that,” Morris said. “But I also knew that chances were slim for him to make a bogey on that hole. I never wanted to hope that would make bogey, but I knew it was a possibility. All I could do was take care of my end.”
Martin sinks key eagle putt on 15. Photo courtesy of kypost.com and John Lachmann.
Martin, a sophomore at Northern Kentucky University, and Morris also shared in co-medalist honors in Monday’s qualifying round. Because Morris won the tournament last year, he automatically earned the top seed in the championship flight, leaving Martin at No. 2.
The other two golfers completing in the final foursome were third-seeded Jason Fryia and No. 6 Eric Fuldner, who both finished at even-par 141.
Fuldner suffered a double bogey nt he par-3 25th hole and never was able to recover.
Fryia’s trouble came when he made bogey on both the 32nd and 33rd holes, putting him at 2 over par.
Martin’s victory was sweet for him because it came on the 41st birthday of his father and caddy, Todd Martin.
“I hadn’t gotten him anything yet for his birthday, so I told him I would get this (championship) for it,” Jeremy said. ” He knows my game probably better thatn I do. Having him there and knowing he’s behind me is very calming.”
Jeff Pectol took home the trophy for the first flight.
Pectol seeeded 17th, won the flight by shooting a 70 over 18 holes.
I had a rough qualifying round, but I came back and won both of my matches (Tuesday and Wednesday) pretty handily,” Pectol said. “I thought I was going to have a hard time with it today, but I pulled myself together and made a few good putts, stayed steady, and it was a good feeling.”
Pectol, who also played in the tournament last year, is alreaedy geared up to tee off next year and hopefully to take a shot at the championship flight.
“I wish I would have been in the championship flight today,” Pectol said. “This is definitely motivation.”
Mark Krahe finished second in the first flight with a score of 72, followed by Shannon Hundemer with a 75.
Doug Taulbee won the tournament’s second flight by shooting a 76. Russell Daniels and Justin Jolly rounded out the top three by shhoing scores of 77.
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