Tim Jackson continues to simply put win
(TN Golf Association Photo)
LEBANON, TN (August 18, 2017) - Three of the four semifinalist that started play Friday morning had already won the Tennessee Senior Match Play Championship. Danny Green was the only semifinalist still searching for his first Match Play Championship. Green looked to be on his way to the finals when he knocked his approach on No. 5 to gimmie range, already two-up. Instead of going three-up, Tim Jackson made a 15-foot birdie-putt to halve the whole.
That putt changed the momentum of the semifinal. The 2015 Senior Match Play champion went on to win holes No. 7-12 to go from two-up to three-down. Jackson made his fifth consecutive birdie on No. 12, but Green matched the birdie to stay three-down. Green birdied No. 13 to get within two, but that would be as close as the former US Mid-Amateur champion got. Jackson won Nos. 14-15 to win the match 4&3.
In the other semifinal, defending champion Bob Rice led a back and forth affair by two at the turn. Rice got to three-up with a win on No. 10. His opponent, Buzz Fly, fought back winning the next two to cut his deficit to one-down. Rice won No. 15 to regain a two-up lead and eventually closed out the match 2&1, giving himself the opportunity to defend his title.
In the championship match, Jackson jumped out to an early lead with a birdie on No. 1. Rice leveled the match by winning No. 3. From there, the past two champions played neck and neck until Jackson won No. 7 to take a one-up lead. Three holes later Jackson doubled his lead after winning No. 11. Yet again, three holes later Jackson won No. 15 to take a three-up lead. Jackson made a three-foot par putt on No. 16 to win 3&2.
The Senior Amateur Match Play Championship is Jackson’s 19th state championship. “Bob is a great competitor and it was an honor to play him and I am fortunate to win,” Jackson said, trophy in hand.
SUPER SENIOR DIVISION
The inaugural Super Senior Match Play Championship ended in anticlimactic fashion. Dr. Neil Spitalny, the No. 2 seed, was unable to compete Friday morning, forcing him to concede to match to Ed Link. This is Link’s first state championship and caps off a special week at Five Oaks Golf & Country Club that included a hole-in-one.
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ABOUT THE
Tennessee Senior Match Play
Open to male senior amateurs who are members of
the
Tennessee Golf Association. Check the entry form for handicap requirements. Format consists
of
36 holes of stroke play followed by a cut to the low
16
for match play.
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