AUSTIN, Texas (Oct. 7, 2012) -- Play at the 2012 Harvey Penick Invitational has been completed. Ryan Murphy of Austin shot a final-round 69 to win by one shot over Andrew Lawson of Dallas and by two over Kevin Watford of Franklin, TN.
Joe Sanders of Incline Village, NV entered the final round with a one-shot lead, but it was Watford who forged ahead with a 3-under 33 on the outward nine. Murphy, who is the assistant golf coach at the University of Texas, was seven shots back at the turn, but four birdies later found himself alone in the lead heading to the difficult par-4 18th. A pulled tee shot left a 200+ yard approach shot over the canyon to the green, but Murphy was able to find land short right of the green, then get up and down making a six-footer for par. Andrew Lawson, who eagled the 17th to briefly take the lead before Murphy caught him, bogeyed the final hole and finished one behind. It was then up to Watford, who had lost four shots and needed to birdie the 18th to force a playoff, but his approach from the fairway bunker found the canyon and Murphy was the winner.
In the Senior Division, Jeff New of The Woodlands, TX started the day as the only player under par, but went triple-double on the 7th and 8th holes to surrender the lead to 2010 HPI champion Larry Nunez of Austin, who turned at even for the day and +2 for the tournament. But New rebounded with birdies at 9, 12 and 13 to regain the lead as Nunez faded, and held on to win by one shot over Chuck Ellenwood of San Antonio, who closed with a 70. Nunez finished third, three shots back.
Thanks to all players who participated in the tournament this year. Thanks also to Bobby Stringer, course superintendent who worked so hard to bring the golf course to championship condition.
And a special thanks to Tinsley Penick, Harvey's son and former longtime professional at Austin Country Club whose presence this week was appreciated by all. For daily prizes, Tinsley signed and presented copies of Harvey Penick's Little Red Book: 20th Anniversary Edition to any player shooting the low round in his division, and to any player making an eagle during the course of the tournament. Daily prize winners were:
Low Round, Mid-Amateurs:Andrew Lawson 69 (Round 1), Steve Irwin 70 (Round 2), Ryan Murphy 69 (Round 3)
Low Round, Seniors:Larry Nunez 71 (Round 1), Wayne Smith and Jim Myers 70 (Round 2), Hunter Nelson 69 (Round 3)
Eagles, Mid-Amateurs:Kody King, #15 (Round 1), Gene Black #7 (Round 2), Dean Clapp #15 (Round 2), Brent Brockermeyer #3 (Round 3), Andrew Lawson #17 (Round 3)
Eagles, Seniors:Larry Nunez, #17 (Round 1), Mike Rice, #10 (Round 2), Jarratt Jones #12 (Round 3)
ABOUT THE
Harvey Penick Invitational
54-hole stroke play invitational that has
quickly become one of the premier
amateur
events in the region. Mid-Am and Senior
Divisions.
The tournament honors the late Harvey
Penick,
the renowned golf teacher who had an
82-year
association with Austin Country Club.
Penick, a
Texas native, began his career at the age
of
eight as a caddy at Austin Country Club,
became the assistant pro there at
thirteen,
and was elevated to head professional in
1923
upon graduation from high school. In 1971
he
was named Professional Emeritus when
his son,
Tinsley, succeeded him as Head
Professional.
Harvey Penick taught golf for seven
decades
and coached the University of Texas golf
team
for 33 years. Among those whom he
taught to
"take dead aim" were Ed White, Betty
Jameson, Morris Williams Jr., Betsy Rawls,
Mickey Wright, Kathy Whitworth, Tom Kite,
Ben Crenshaw, and Sandra Palmer.
Visit www.harveypenickinvitational.com for complete
tournament information.
View Complete Tournament Information