Defending champion of the PGA Professionals division, Dave
Pugh, defended his title at the Pepsi Indiana Golf Championships at Rock Hollow
Wednesday. His 69-69=138 put him six shots in front of runner-up Ivan Foster.
“I made some putts and got lucky,” said Pugh. “That was really the only thing
that has been holding me back, so my son and I put a practice putting area in
my basement.” Working with his 11-year-old son Luke paid off. “It’s so hard to
win out here, but I’m starting to get more comfortable and feel like I belong
out here,” said Pugh. The win wraps up the season for Pugh on a high note. He
will take a break from the golf course in the winter to build a home and return
to the course in May.
The Pepsi Championships do signal the end of the season for
most players in Indiana, but for some it is just the beginning. Champion in the
Senior Amateur division, Ron Carter, will spend the fall and winter bouncing
around the country competing in national events. His winter schedule includes Charleston,
San Antonio, Chattanooga, and three weeks in Florida. “It’s a good way to end
the year in Indiana,” he said. In preparation for this week, he took ten days
off to rest. “I think this win is a culmination of the time off. It makes you
really want to play more,” Carter explained. His 68-68=136 was the tournament
low.
In the Senior Professional division, Scott Steger pulled
through with a final round 69 to add to his 73 and beat out Brian Sears by one
shot. Scott Pieri won the Amateur division with 69-71=140.
Players were invited to the Pepsi Championships based on points earned during the 2009 IGA-PGA and USGA season.