Murphy Aims for a Fourth Straight Ottawa County Am Title
"Four of a kind" is a strong poker hand and it’s usually unbeatable. Some West Michigan golfers may be making the same comparisons to Kyle Murphy as he tees off this weekend, July 22-23, as the three-time defending champion at the 4th annual Ottawa County Amateur at The Meadows in Allendale. No other player has claimed the trophy since the tournament was launched in 2003. In fact, only Bob Sakocius has won an area amateur event four times in a row and he’s done it twiceâ?”winning the West Michigan Amateur from 1992-1995 and the Kent County Amateur from 1989-1992. "I do feel I have an advantage when playing The Meadows since I’ve played the course so many times," said Murphy of Kentwood. "And the Ottawa County Amateur seems to come at just the right time of the golf season for me. My game normally peaks at this time of year," said Murphy, a fifth year senior player on Grand Valley State University’s golf team.
At last year’s rain-shortened 36-hole stroke play event, Murphy fired a sizzling final round six-under par 66 to catch and tie the co-leader of the first round, Holland’s Doug Hoey. Murphy (72-66) won the title over Hoey (68-70) when he birdied the second playoff hole. "That 66 is my career best," said Murphy. "In fact, at one point I was seven-under par for the day. I double-bogied the par-three 17th hole but then finished par, eagle (ending up on the par-five first hole due to a shotgun start) to shoot 66." In addition to his familiarity with the course, Murphy also says he has matured as a player. "Looking back at the past three years, I can see where I’ve improved in the mental aspects of the game. I have a better sense of knowing when to be aggressive and when to play safe on certain holes."
In the Senior division (50 years of age and over) of the tournament, Grand Rapids’ Steve Basinski took home the title with a two round total of 147 (75-72.)
Notable area players set to play so far in this year’s event– which is NOT restricted by residency– besides Murphy and Hoey include reigning West Michigan Amateur champion Bob Sakocius of Grand Rapids, Zeeland’s Tommy Yamoaka (who tied for second in the recent Kent County Amateur), ’05 Grand Rapids City Champion Eric Atsma of Caledonia, Mike Zoerhoff and Vaughn Stevens, both of Grand Rapids.
Entry is $80 and is limited to the first 120 golfers with a USGA Handicap Index of 8.0. Available online at www.gvsu.edu/meadows, entries are accepted only at The Meadows golf shop in Allendale. A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Newspapers in Education Fund of the Holland Sentinel, a presenting sponsor, as well as the GVSU Scholarship fund.
"I very pleased how the quality of the field has grown over the past few years," said Terry Sack, General Manager of The Meadows. "And having such worthy causes â?”the NIE and the Scholarship Fundsâ?”benefiting from the tournament will make it especially worthwhile."
An official tournament on the West Michigan/Grand Rapids Golf Association calendar, Ottawa County Amateur entrants are eligible for "All-City Points" based upon their finish in the 2006 event.
Located on the campus of Grand Valley State University in Allendale, The Meadows GC was designed by award-winning course architect Dr. Michael Hurdzan and opened in 1994. The 7,034-yard championship course has hosted five NCAA golf championships and will host the 2007 NCAA Division II Men’s Finals next May.
For more information, contact The Meadows at 616-895-1000.
Contact:
Terry Moore
All About Golf
616-247-1931
tmoore@usxc.net
Tom Cleary
All About Golf
616-915-4267
tjcleary@aol.com
