Sets New Medal
Play Record
Freeman Captures Elton Davis Classic
by Bill Kirby
The Fayetteville Times
Burlington, N.C. - 27
July 1975 - Daryl
Freeman, a 16-year veteran of the Professional Putters Association
national tour and a former national champion, captured the first "Elton
Davis Memorial Putting Classic," July 27th, establishing a world record
67 for the 54-hole tournament.
Freeman, of Bristol, Tenn., rolled in
43-holes-in-one, scored a two stroke victory over Eddie Lovett and
earned a qualifying berth in the 1976 World Putting Championship. This
occurred as PPA professionals and amateurs paid tribute to the late
putting star from the city who died November 16th.
Davis, who gained prominence as a member of the
Amateur Putters Association, played as a professional from 1973 until
his death. PPA dignitaries and players assembled at the graveside one
hour prior to the scheduled noon tee off and later at the Burlington
curse where memorial services were held. A rendition of a bronze plaque
was presented to the Davis family. The plaque will rest underneath the
national flag pole between the sixth and thirteenth holes on Course No.
1.
Freeman, trailing first-round leader Gary Benfield
by three strokes, opened with a 24, 12 under-par. He quickly asserted
himself with a 21 on the next trip around the well manicured layout. Pro
par for the Burlington layout is rated 27 by the PPA.
That left Freeman, 29, with a one shot advantage
over Lovett, of Roanoke, Virginia, and Gary Miller, the reigning World
Putting Champion from Atlanta, Georgia.
Freeman fashioned his second consecutive perfect
nine en route to a closing 22, the first place check of $175 and the
world record. That mark of 68 was previously held by Jay Gammon, Mike
Sherrill and Lovett. Lovett had tied the record a day earlier winning
the $500 North Carolina Open.
Lovett finished with a final round 23, while
Miller, winner of $50,000, in the World Putting Championship at
Columbus, Ohio in June, could do no better than 26.
Host professional Bobby Gilmore fighting
desperately to win the event along with Wilbur Hildebrand and several
other pros who were close friends with Davis, was third at 70.
Bobby Davis, no relation to Elton, won the Amateur
Putters Association division with an 82 over the difficult No. 2 course.
Bill Cox was second at 83 along with Ricky Ludwick.
Tournament recap and scores from the
Putt-Putt World, Fall 1975.
Elton Davis Classic - Professional Division
(Burlington, N.C. - 27 July 1975)