BEAUMONT, TX (May 3, 2009)--Russell Helson, a recent graduate of Lamar University, held off a charge by defending champion Owen Joyner of The Woodlands to win the Tyrrell Garth Invitational at Beaumont Country Club.

Helson, who caddies on the Nationwide Tour for Martin Piller, started the final round four shots ahead of Joyner, and five ahead of Giles Kibbe of Beaumont and David Pocknall of Katy. A steady even-par 71 was just enough to hold off Joyner, who closed with a 67 including a birdie on #18 that forced Helson to make a short putt for the win.

The tournament is played in honor of Tyrrell Garth Jr., one of the state's most accomplished amateur golfers, and the pride of Beaumont. In addition to winning Beaumont Country Club championships at age 14 and age 54, Garth was also the youngest player ever to qualify for the U.S. Open when he competed at Colonial Country Club in 1941 as a 15-year-old.

Top finishers in the Tyrrell Garth Invitational, played May 1-3, 2009 at Beaumont Country Club:

Place	Player		Rd1	Rd2	Rd3		Total
1	Russell Helson, Georgetown, TX		69	72	71		212
2	Owen Joyner, The Woodlands, TX		72	74	67		213
3	Giles Kibbe, Beaumont, TX		77	69	70		216
4	David Pocknall, Katy, TX		74	71	72		217
5	Chris Brauner, Austin, TX		74	76	68		218
6	Eddie Grace, Beaumont, TX		74	74	71		219
T7	Austin Williams, Beaumont, TX		77	73	72		222
T7	Charles Jabbia, Beaumont, TX		74	76	72		222
T7	Hunter Nelson, Houston, TX		72	75	75		222
T10	Chris Davis, Beaumont, TX		77	74	75		226
T10	Blanton Hansen, League City, TX		75	75	76		226
T10	John Pierce, San Antonio, TX		74	74	78		226
13	Bob Kearney, Houston, TX		80	74	73		227
14	Jeff New, The Woodlands, TX		78	77	73		228

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