Lions Municipal Spring Partnership Results

After 36 holes of play two teams were tied for the lead of the Lions Municipal Spring Partnership.  Posting 14 under par for two rounds, Jamie Beaman & Matthew Perrine would meet Brian Noonan & Riley Pumphrey in a playoff.  However, due to weather delays earlier in the day, darkness was approaching.

In the playoff, both teams recorded pars on #10 and #18.  Darkness fell and the players were given the choice of returning at 7:30 A.M. Monday morning to settle the matter or, calling it a tie and declaring co-champions.  Although no one likes to leave a tournament undecided, obligations of work and school schedules prevailed and the players called it a tie.   One of them commented, “Its kind of like kissing your sister”.

Weather conditions for the day were variable and challenging.  Early tee times experienced more of the rain that swept through the area in the morning.   Later tee times experienced cooler temperatures and fresh north winds.

As the day progressed the leader board tightened and three teams emerged as the final contenders.  Besides the teams of Beaman/Perrine and Noonan/Pumphrey, Michael Cooper and Austin Cotton were in the thick of it until the final putt of regulation play.

Matthew Perrine made a 30 footer on #16 to get their team to fourteen under par and tied for the lead.  His partner, Jamie Beaman, shown here on the right, congratulated him with a handshake and big smile.

Pumphrey, shown below hitting a drive on #12, is the current club champion at Austin Country Club. He birdied 18 after driving the green and two putting to post -14 and tie for the championship.  His partner, Brian Noonan, has been winning more his share of championships in the Austin area including the 2013 Harvey Penick and the 2014 Morris Williams Spring Championship.  It’s no surprise they were in contention.

Beaman, shown here hitting a tee shot on #17, which played 185 yards into a stiff north wind, is a former Longhorn team player and recruited Perrine to contend for the championship.  Perrine plays for Westlake High School and will be headed to Auburn to play golf in the fall.

Cooper and Cotton were in contention until the end of regulation play.  However, they missed short par putts on #17 to fall to 13 under par with the downwind par four #18 to play.  Both had the length to reach the green off the tee but they failed to birdie the hole and finished in third place.

All in all it was a successful tournament with all the players renewing their friendships and celebrating another couple of rounds at Lions Municipal.

Congratulations must be given to Steve Hammond and all the staff at the course.  Their efforts to keep the competition going despite the weather allowed the players to compete.  They put in long hours from early morning until past sundown.  Thanks to all who made this tournament a success, including the players.

There are always personal stories associated with golf tournaments and this one is no exception.  And, taking an editors liberty, I will share my experience in this tournament.

I’ve played this tournament for years, just like many of the participants.  Sunday was my 66th birthday.  As the morning started, the thought crossed my mind that I would like to shoot my age.  However, my play on Saturday gave no indication that that was likely or possible.  Steve Trafton, my partner,  carried our team with a solid round on Saturday and I contributed only a few pars to post our first round 68.

Sunday our roles were reversed.  I found something on the practice tee and I played well on the front while Steve struggled.  However, I had still not made a birdie in 27 holes.  On hole number 10 all that changed.  I holed my second shot for an eagle then birdied 12, 13, and 18 to post 30 on the back nine and shoot 66 on my own ball.  Our team score was 65.  What a crazy game and what a nice birthday present.

Here are the final results of the championship flight.