McElroy Pine Hill champ
- Updated: September 13, 2015
UPDATED Wins fifth club crown, first since 2010; Griffin wins Jr. club championship
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
Jay McElroy shot rounds of 68 and 67, opened a six-shot lead at the turn Sunday and, riding with special motivation throughout the weekend, won the Pine Hill Country Club club championship for the fifth time.
His two-day total of 9-under-par 135 was three shots clear of Jonathan Pate and five ahead of Adrian Geeting.
It his first club championship title since 2010 and ended a four-year reign of Josh Poole.
McElroy, a 32-year-old shipping clerk for Southwire, was 5-under through eight holes, but his lead was only one with three holes to play. He took a two-shot lead into the final hole.
“I kept telling myself to win this one for JT, my little boy,” McElroy said. “So, if I had to say, this one was special.”
He also drew strength and inspiration from the appearances of dad Garry, Phil Griguhn and first-round playing partner Terry Cobb in the gallery throughout the final round.
Pate shot a final-round 66, playing holes 6 through 12 in 6-under. Geeting shot 66 in the first round.
During the final round, Rickey Hurst scored his first-ever hole-in-one. He aced No. 4 from 164 yards with a 5-iron.
Nate Griffin won the Junior club championship, shooting rounds of 79 and 77. Kenny Okins won the 13-and-under division by six shots after a final-round 89.
SHARPS UPDATE: Rob Davie defeated Benji Turley 2 up in the second round of The Sharps match play tournament Sunday at Cider Ridge.
PINE HILL JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
14-and-over
Nathan Griffin 79-77–156
Colmen Hayes 82-84–166
Cameron McCareeth 84-83–167
Josh Davis 94-86–180
Andrew Miller 100-85–185
Brady Brasser 100-95–195
13-and-under
Kenny Okins 102-89–191
Wesley Jenkins 96-101–197
Gage Miller 100-106–206
Bailey Webb 111-98–209
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