Gene Black and Scott Matheson Capture Muny Spring Partnership in Playoff

Scott Matheson hit an 8 iron out of a divot to 8 feet and then sunk the putt on the first hole of a playoff to capture the 2012 Lions Municipal Spring Partnership Championship. 

Matheson and Gene Black were tied with Steffan Schmiedling and Chris Causey at the end of regulation play at 18 under par for 36 holes.  That's good golf. 

Both teams started the day behind the leaders but fired low rounds to outdistance their rivals.  With the wind down from the previous day and the greens in good shape, the course was available for good scoring.  Black and Matheson shot 60 while Schmiedling and Causey posted 59.  The 59 included a torrid 8 under on the front nine, which included two eagles and four birdies. 

Schmiedling and Causey

The competition tightend up in the last few holes of play with holes 17 and 18 being pivotal.  Going into the 17th hole, Schmiedling and Causey were -19 for the tournament.  However, errant tee shots eventually led to a team bogey on the hole.  In the group behind, Black and Matheson arrived at the 17th at -17, one shot behind.  Neither of their tee shots found the green, with Matheson left and Black just off the surface to the right.  Matheson's chip trickled over the green leaving about 20 feet for par and Black's chip ran by and above the hole leaving a seven foot downhill right breaker, which he holed for par after Matheson missed.

Moving to the 18th, neither Schmiedling or Causey could find the fairway off the tee and both played punch shots to the green with Causey having a 20 footer for birdie and Schmiedling making par.  When Causey missed his birdie putt the stage was set for Black and Matheson to catch the leaders on the short par four 18th. 

Matheson's tee shot was short right on hard pan and he failed to reach the green on his second shot.  Meanwhile, the long hitting Black drove the ball to the middle of the green about 30 left of the right hand pin, leaving a downgrain putt for the win.  The putt stopped about six inches short of the hole and Black tapped in for the birdie and to tie the leader in the clubhouse.

Waiting for the playoff, Matheson was lamenting how he had left his partner to do the heavy lifting on 17 and 18.  Black reminded him of some critical putts he had made during the earlier part of the round.  So, it was fitting that Matheson produced the tournament winning birdie on the first hole of the playoff.  It does take a partnership to win this tournament.  Congratulations to both Gene Black and Scott Matheson for their fine play.

Although things were a little different with the tournament founder Lloyd Morrison absent from Lions, Beth Cleckler and crew did a great job of running the tournament and carrying on the Spring Partnership tradition.  After all, it was at Muny and it is always fun to renew friendships and enjoy the great weather the players were blessed with during the tournament. 

As is typical of the tournament, the golf was enjoyed by young and old alike.   Bentley Cotton was following her older brother Austin, who was partnering with Michael Cooper for the first time,  and she enjoyed being behind the wheel of the golf cart.  Family and friends were following the lead groups over the final few holes and the competitors who where finished enjoyed visiting with each other and watching the drama unfold. 

Shown here with his girlfriend, Johnny Ormand relaxes while watching play at the 18th green unfold.

The final results are below. Congratulations to the winners and to all who participated and help make the tournament a success.  Link here to the tournament photo album.