UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (Sept. 15, 2014) — Troy Miller drove the green at the 335-yard 17th hole, then converted the six-foot putt for an eagle-2 to give him and partner Michael Kelly a 7-under-par 36-29--65 and a two-stroke victory in the 14th Middle Atlantic Golf Association's Mid-Am Four-Ball championship at Lake Presidential Golf Club in Upper Marlboro, September 15. The site is the winners' home club and their 29 tied the event's second-lowest for the back nine, surpassed only by a 28 from Kelly and Moose Brown in 2006.
Miller, 33, whose father is a golf professional who rarely plays well at his home course, is in the same situation since he is the general manager (and architect ) of the Prince George's County course and often has too many outside distractions to focus on his game at home.
This time, on what began as a cool morning, but evolved into a warm, sunny afternoon, the 6-foot-1, 225-pound slugger -- well-known for his prodigious length off the tee -- said he had eagled the same hole recently and had a bunch of them in his background.
The two started slowly and were 1-over through No. 7, but Miller birdied the par-5 eighth and they turned even. Then it was Kelly's turn. The chief financial officer for a printing firm birdied five of the first six holes on the back (missing only the 12th), all on putts from inside 15 feet. All that remained was for Miller to launch his drive at the 17th.
The pair was in the first group off at 7:30 a.m., and it was until mid-afternoon when the last of the teams had posted scores, that the triumph was secure. It was Kelly's third title in this event with as many different partners, as he had won with Keith Abbott in 2002 and Brown, both times at Beechtree GC.
"The back is a little shorter," Kelly said of the course that was set up at 6,770 yards with a par of 72, "and more playable, although this time it was wet with no roll. Troy is monstrous off the tee and with the conditions, he probably carried that drive [at 17] about 330 yards. It hit just short of the green and rolled up to a back hole location."
Dan Hosek (Fort Belvoir) and Brenton Flynn (Laurel Hill) shot 33-34--67 and were tied by Vance Welch (Northwest Park) and Michael Wah (University of Maryland GC), 31-36--67. Wah birdied 1-2-3 and Welch took care of Nos. 5 and 9 for their 31 then pitched in the edge of the lateral water hazard left of #18 for a decisive birdie. Flynn had four birdies and Hosek, one, in their tour.
There was a tie for fourth at 68 between Bill Jenner-Kevin Ferris, Breton Bay, and Jeff Graff (RedGate)-Josh Hartman (Chevy Chase). The latter two combined for six birdies, two bogeys, while Graf-Hartman had four birdies.
Columbia CC's two-time winner Marty West (with Bobby Morris in 2004-2005) and Richard Holland produced the only other round in the 60's with a 69.
View results for Middle Atlantic Mid-Am - Senior Four-Ball
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Middle Atlantic Mid-Am - Senior Four-Ball
18-hole four-ball stroke play championship for teams of
mid-amateurs and seniors. Open to members of MAGA
member clubs.
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