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Brudzinski and Kelley Win International Four-Ball
Mike Kelley, TJ Brudzinski Mid-Am Champs, left<br> Chip Lutz and Chris Lange Senior Champs, right
Mike Kelley, TJ Brudzinski Mid-Am Champs, left
Chip Lutz and Chris Lange Senior Champs, right

PALM CITY, Fla. (Feb. 20, 2011) – Two Columbus, Ohio, area players, T.J. Brudzinski and Mike Kelley, long-time friends and friendly rivals but playing as teammates for the first time, won the 54th annual International Four-Ball golf tournament Sunday at The Fox Club.

Brudzinski, 49, an investment banker from Columbus, and Kelley, 46, a commercial banker from suburban Westerville, did not make a bogey in 54 holes, scoring 68-66-65—199, coming from three strokes behind the final round to win by one.

By comparison, Chris Lange of Boynton Beach and Chip Lutz of Reading, Pa., a pair of 56-year-olds, won the senior division for the second straight year with identical scores of 68-66-65—199, also coming from three back with a total two strokes higher than their winning score a year ago. They had 19 birdies and two bogeys for the distance.

The last pairing to win the senior division two years in a row was Steve Earsley of Hobe Sound and Mike Rice of Houston, Texas, in 2005-06. Neither played here this year,

“We’ve been friends for a long time and we’ve been looking for something to play in as partners,” Brudzinski said. “You can bet we’ll be back next year.”

Added Kelley, “My partner played great today. He made five birdies,” climaxed by a decisive up-and-down for birdie at the par-5 18th hole. Overall, they had four birdies Friday, six on Saturday and seven more Sunday.

The runnersup were Mark Knecht of Paducah, Ky., and Steve White of Jackson, Wyo., who closed with 68-200. They battled into contention with 63 on Saturday, the lowest score of the weekend in either flight.

Second in the senior flight were Rick Woulfe of Fort Lauderdale and Pat Tallent of Vienna, Va., the second round leaders. After closing with 69-200, “We just couldn’t make any birdies the last few holes,” Woulfe said. Woulfe won the mid-amateur division with Frank Strafaci of Davie in 1998.

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ABOUT THE International Four-Ball

Started in 1957, the International Four-Ball is one of the most prestigious amateur events in the country. The Championship includes Mid-Amateur (ages 25-54), Senior (ages 55-64) and Legends (ages 65 and up) Divisions. All divisions compete in a Four- Ball Stroke Play format which is contested over 3 days and 54 holes. This prestigious event has a rich history, with past champions such as Jack Nicklaus, Deane Beman, Dick Siderowf, Vinnie Giles, Jim Holtgrieve and Downing Gray.

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