05 Aug 2017 at 13:32 | Published by: PatPenguin | Views: 16532 | News search

Kevin Lacey  (Photo by PPA Website)

Editor's Note: This article first appeared on the Professional Putters Association (PPA) page. It has been re-printed here with permission.

Richmond, VA. – Two-time PPA National Champion, and reigning National Champion, Kevin Lacey of Cincinnati, Ohio successfully defended his {PPA or Putt Putt} Eastern Open Championship title on Sunday. Kevin Lacey won his first National Championship in Richmond in 2008. Sunday’s win, with an eight-round total score of 200, or eighty-eight under par, is Lacey’s eighth in national major events.

First day play opened to wet and rainy conditions. Light rain fell throughout the day testing the patience and will of competitors. Jeff Spainhour of Chesapeake, VA rose to the challenge opening up a four-stroke lead after the first four rounds of play.

Second day play began with first day leader Spainhour in command with a four-round total of 96, forty-eight under par. An opening round 31 by Spainhour left the door open for a host of players to move into contention. Five players tied for the lead at 127 after five rounds, including four former PPA National champions Greg Ward (27) of Loganville, GA, Jay Klapper (26), of Chamblee, GA Lacey (24), and Tony Varnadore (24), of Rock Hill, SC.

Also moving into contention after the fifth round and just two strokes behind at 129 were Greg Newport (26), Hebron, KY and Mike Johnson (24), Burlington, NC. Terry Phillips (27), Stanley, NC moved three strokes off the pace at 130, and four players closing in at 131 were; Robert Johnson (27) of Loganville, GA, Mike Flavin (27) Knoxville, TN, William Kirby, Jr. (25) Fayetteville, NC and Thomas Rawles (25) Portsmouth, VA.

Round six saw a plethora of low scores with Ward leading the charge and taking the lead by acing the first thirteen holes before bogeying the difficult 14th. Ward finished the round at 23 which was matched by Lacey. The two vaulted into a first place tie at 66 under par, 150. Keeping pace with a 23 of his own was Mike Johnson who moved into a tie for third with Jay Klapper (25) at 152. Spainhour, Varnadore, Phillips and Newport remained in striking position at 154 along with Kirby at 155.

In the penultimate round Lacey fashioned a 25 for a seven round total of 175 to take a one stroke lead over Mike Johnson (24) at 176. Ward was two back and the ever dangerous Newport just three back. Klapper at 179, Varnadore (26), Kirby (25) and Rawles (24) all at 180 tried to keep pace.

Newport surged into a one stroke lead in the final round with a perfect 9 on the front nine while Lacey could only manage a five under 13 on the outward nine. Mike Johnson kept pace with Lacey on the front. Playing one group behind Newport, Lacey went to work on the more difficult back nine and fashioned a six-under 12 for a final round 25 and an eight-round total of 200. Lacey stepped to the tee on the eighteenth hole knowing he only needed a par 2 for a repeat victory. He calmly aced the final hole for a two stroke win. Newport (24-202) finished in second and the trio of Mike Johnson (28-204), Ward (27-204) and Klapper (25-204) tied for third.

For his efforts Lacey won the top prize of $1200.00 and coming off of his 2016 National Championship solidified his position as the top player in the game today. Gracious in victory Lacey said, “I don’t know what to say, I’m honored to win, hats off to Newport and all the other players who really played great.”

In the APA division Scott Anderson of Gloucester, VA fired a final round 22 to come from nine strokes down after round six to force a playoff with Zach Martin of Bristol, TN. Anderson needed an ace and got it on the final hole to force the playoff. In the eighteenth hole of the playoff, Martin aced to force sudden death. After 144 holes of regulation play and 18 holes in a playoff the two remained tied. The pair continued in a sudden death playoff with Anderson winning on the third hole of sudden death when Martin’s ace shot lipped out.

A special thanks to Gary Hinshaw, and his staff, for their hospitality and competition-ready course.

See link below for complete scores.

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