Joel Baker
Earns First Win of 2004 in a Playoff in Longview,
TX
16 May 2004 - Longview, TX - The Longview
course was playing exceptionally tough with only one player able to
break 6-under more than once in the three rounds. It also seemed to
playing favorites as in every round one or two players dominated the
scoring. The first round saw
Mike Baldoza
blaze to an opening round 12 under 24 and only
Joel Baker
able to stay close as 10 under 26. The second round belonged to
Wade Sahmel.
His 13 under 23 was better by seven than any other player. It was Joel
Baker's turn to dominate during the last round his 10 under 26 was
better by four than any other player. After all the dust had settled it
was Joel and Wade tied at 25 under 83 five clear of third place Mike
Baldoza. The question now was, was it Wades' turn again to go low at
Longview. The answer was no, Joel dominated the playoff making 11 of the
first 13 holes and had closed out the match by the 15th hole. This was
Joel's first win of the year and he also received a state spot.
Additional spots went to Wade Sahmel and Mike Baldoza in match play
competition. Wade also earned a spot in the World Match Play event to be
held in Richmond, VA in July.
It was looking like the
Dave Blalock
show in the amateur division after two rounds. Dave's first two rounds
of 29 and 28 gave him a four-stroke lead over
Kenny Beck and
no other player was within six. Kenny came on strong over the opening
nine with a 6 under and closed to within two of Dave going to the last
nine. Kenny played a solid last nine at 3 under and Dave faltered
shooting an even par over the last nine giving Kenny the win. This was
Kenny first win of the year and he also claimed a state spot. Additional
spots went to Dave Blalock and
Mike Huckaby
in match play competition.
Article and scores
provided by Lee Messinger.
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