Archives for August 2014

A four week long Derby Festival City Invitational concluded Sunday with Rone’s pre-play -2, standing 4 shots clear of the competition. Both Fetter and Tindall stepped to 18th tee tied for the clubhouse lead, only to hang dualing dogballs and finish tied for second.  No one else entered the equation, allowing Cummins to sneak into the top 5 in solo 4th, with Buzell and Herp tying for 5th.

The peanut gallery will call it a historic implosion for Fetter, but the drive on 18 just fell into trouble and the miracle shot was not available this day. Too many missed short putts, but a solid round overall and the Srixon PGA Tour ball lasted all 18 holes. Of course the missed from 18″ putt on 18 hurt, but it was nice to see Tindall miss the EXACT SAME putt just minutes later to force the tie. Tindall must have played a fine front nine, taking the West in just 39 strokes. But a 9 on 1 East set the tone for a disastrous back nine, limping in with 54.

And no one else contended. The Quail rough was down right nasty and the rain brought no joy. Rone wins his second tourney of the year, and the points at the top of the Season Standings must be getting tight. One more event left in regular season play.

Hat’s off to Mitch for a well played round. For all the gibberish nonsense talk of “oh, Fetter he choked”, (although truth be told, I stank it up on the back nine), it was Gibson’s consistent play that wore me down. I was one swing away from being even par after the first 5 holes, and could easily have been 3 or 4 up, but Mitch just trodded along, making putts and saving pars to match. By the time he staked his hybrid on the Par3 #4 East, and then drained the putt for birdie, the match had decidely turned in his favor.

…so, it’s the end of an epic run to the semi-finals for Fetter. Good luck to Powell and Gibson in the finals.