Greenwood’s Justin Wenger defeated a field of 120 after firing an impressive 2-under-par 70 and defeating Ryan Ford in a three-hole playoff at Sultan’s Run in Jasper.
Always visually intimidating combined with today’s wet conditions, the course played difficult but Wenger was able to keep the ball in play and consistently set himself up for birdies.
“I hit a lot of fairways and mostly teed off with my 5-wood today,” Wenger said. “My goal was to keep it in play and not using driver very often allowed me to do so.”
Wenger began the day with his only bogey and completed his round with three birdies coming on the par 5, 6th hole, the par 4, 8th, and the par 4, 14th.
“I don’t think I’ve won a tournament since college, so this feels great,” Wenger said. “I’ve been trying to get back into competing more lately and it means so much to do well in a field with such good players.”
Ford from Sarah Shank GC had a similar round to Wenger with a lone bogey on the par 4, 3rd hole and three birdies coming on the par 3, 2nd, the par 4, 14th, and the par 4, 17th. Ford was a short missed birdie putt away on 18 from winning outright.
After two playoff holes, Ford and Wenger headed back to the par 4, 1st. Ford pulled his approach shot left of the green and failed to get up-and-down for par, leaving Wenger with an easy two-putt for the win.
This is the second year in a row that an amateur has won this event.
Ford’s round earned him low PGA Professional honors. A group of three players tied for third including Adam Marshall from the French Lick Resort – Valley Links Course, Jeff Marsh of Deer Track GC (Fort Wayne) and amateur Tracy Miller from Bremen with 1-under-par 71s.
Today’s event also marked the beginning of a new sponsor relationship for the Indiana PGA with title sponsor the Dubois County Visitor’s Center & Tourism Commission. Staff from the Visitor’s Center spent the day at the golf course and greeted players as they teed off.
“We are excited to have had the opportunity to host the Southern Open and showcase our beautiful golf course, Sultan’s Run,” said Kevin Manley, the Executive Director at Dubois County.
Long time Indiana PGA partner Mobile ProShop also supported the event for a second straight year.