With eight birdies this afternoon, Fort Wayne’s Jon Balyeat grabbed
his first ever Indiana PGA Section win at the Monticello Open at Tippecanoe
CC. Balyeat’s 6-under-par 66 finish was
just enough for a one shot victory over Ivan Foster of Bridgewater GC, Brett
Melton of the Country Club of Old Vincennes, and Bill Schumaker of Crooked Lake
GC.
“I really played solid today,” said Balyeat, an Assistant
Professional at Sycamore Hills GC. “I
hit the ball well and I made putts when I needed to. Everything just clicked today.”
Balyeat has been a part of the Indiana Section PGA for the
past six years and says he feels honored to finally get a win under his belt.
“After being a part of the Indiana Section for six years,
this has always been the goal,” Balyeat said.
“There are so many great players in this section and it is tough to win
an event. I have worked really hard this
past year and this win really means so much to me.
After finishing in a tie for third at the Indiana PGA Assistant
Championship last year, Balyeat qualified for 37th Callaway Golf PGA Assistant
National Championship which was held at PGA Golf Club (Wanamaker Course) in
Port St. Lucie, Florida last October. Balyeat
says this win definitely gives him confidence as he prepares to qualify for the
National event again this year.
“Anytime you can get a win, it kind of makes you feel like
you can do it again,” Balyeat said. “I
am really looking forward to the Assistant Championship and hope I can perform
well on a larger stage and once again qualify for the National event. I also qualified for the State Open last week
so this win definitely gives me momentum moving forward.”
There was a four-way tie for fourth place this afternoon
between Michael Ahlers of Pine Valley CC, Brian Brodell of Birck Boilermaker
GC, Andrew Havill of Carmel, and Justin Imel of Donald Ross GC.