Jeff Smith Dodges the Rain Drops for His First Victory of 2005 Season

10 September 2005 - Webster, TX - The Texas Putting Tour held its 17th event of the year at the Webster, Texas Putt-Putt. The first round saw two Houston area players jump out to an early lead Brice Bergesen fired an 11 under 25 to lead Wade Sahmel by one stroke. No other player was better than 28. The second round saw Brice and Wade both slow down. After two rounds they were tied for the lead at 16 under 56 but the field has closed in. Mike Baldoza was tied for the lead with Jeffrey Smith sitting one stroke back.

Over the front nine in the last round Jeff Smith would take over the lead but as the players neared the finish a rain started to fall. Brice had closed the gap to get back even and Mike was still close. Wade has fallen out of contention early on. Jeffrey did not finish strong and Brice had an opportunity for his fourth win of the season but two bogeys over the last four holes cost him. A heavy rain started falling just as Jeffrey finished and the other players coming down the last few holes had no opportunity to make a charge over the wet last few holes. The win was Jeffreys first on the Texas Tour this year. Brice Bergesen and Joel Baker would finish tied for second two in back of Jeffrey. State spots went to Mike Baldoza, Steve Armstrong and Byron Kirby.

The amateur division was a tight competition going into the last round four players were within three strokes of lead held by Steve Willmann. The rain that affected the Pros really played havoc in the amateur division. In the end it was Trevor Lewin who made the least bogeys coming down the stretch to win with a three round total 12 under 96. Mike Huckaby finished in second one stroke back. The state spot went to Doug Austin.

Article and scores provided by Lee Messinger.