"Can you believe it?” Brad Adamonis asked after claiming his first win in 120 Nationwide Tour starts.
Adamonis carded eight straight pars in a playoff to claim victory Sunday at the WNB Golf Classic in Midland, TX. Adamonis vaulted to 30th on the Nationwide Tour money list with his win.
It was also the first win by an official Nickent staff player. The other 21 previous wins Nickent has been a part of over the last three seasons all came from players who were not endorsed to play Nickent products. (Nickent inked 20 PGA, LPGA and Nationwide contracts for 2007, the first time the company has formed their own professional staff.)
"This was is really big for us because Brad is our guy," said Josh Trivett. "It is our third straight week with a win and our 9th win of the season. This one was special because usually when we are part of a win, we can’t use the player’s name or picture. Hundreds of professionals use our clubs because they love the performance, but it is really great to have the champion hoist a trophy dressed head to toe in Nickent gear."
With three tournaments remaining on the Nationwide Tour schedule, the Miami (Ohio) University graduate could find himself inside THE 25 and earn his 2008 PGA TOUR card. Currently, six players who play Nickent products are in THE 25. Other Nickent staff players Scott Gardiner (#33), Vance Veazey (#34) and Jeff Klauk (#39) are looking to play their way onto the PGA Tour in the last few events.
Always looking for an edge, Gardiner put a Nickent 3DX Tour Square Driver into play this week, helping him to 25th in driving distance and 26th in driving accuracy. It is the second Nickent driver to be put into play on the Nationwide Tour this year.
"I don’t care — any way I can get a win is great," Adamonis said. "I just kept on grinding. That’s kind of the way I’ve always played my game. I just hung in there and finally I got a break in my career. The last three holes in regulation, I was very nervous. It’s tremendous for me to get a win because I won’t be as nervous, and I can play some better golf."
Adamonis credited his win to some advice from his good friend and fellow Nickent staff player Erik Compton. Two weeks ago, Compton, who had a heart transplant when he was 13 years old, wasn’t feeling well after playing golf at his home course in Miami. After driving to a nearby hospital, he collapsed in the waiting room, where it was discovered that he suffered from a heart attack.
"I’ve been lucky to have Erik as a friend since I started playing out here," Adamonis said. "Every time I play golf with Erik, he helps me out and gives me great advice. He always tells me that I have the game and that I should never back down, even when I’m not playing my best. Today was definitely one of those days. Erik’s situation puts things into perspective. Here I am lucky enough to be healthy out here playing golf, and he is in a hospital. He keeps such a great attitude. It is pretty inspiring. His message is I should never back down, even when I’m not playing my best. Sunday was definitely one of those days."
Erik’s positive message helped Brad overcome 8 grueling playoff holes, matching the second-longest playoff in Nationwide Tour history. After entering the playoff with 3 other players, including Nickent staffer Vance Veazey, the tournament was decided when the player who matched Brad shot for shot for 7 holes missed a 5-footer that would have continued the playoff.
"Things haven’t always gone very well for me,” he said."But I kept on fighting it, trying to be positive. I am always trying to improve. It has been a grind. You know, that wasn’t the best golf I’ve ever played.”
Contact:
Jon Claffey
Director of Product Marketing
Nickent Golf
"King of Hybrids"
19888 Quiroz Court
City of Industry, CA 91789
888-NICKENT
909-569-6858
909-569-6859 FAX
JCLAFFEY@NICKENTGOLF.COM
Covering the business of golf!
