He's Only Just Begun
I have shown my housemate a few pointers.
Ole Miss rising junior Brice Bailey captured medalist honors at the 2005 Memphis Golf Association Amateur Championship at the Colonial Country Club on Wednesday.
With rounds of 74 and 71 on Tuesday, the Memphis native entered Wednesday's final round with a share of the lead with Zach Jaworski.
Then came five-time champion David Apperson, who fired his way into the lead with just two holes left.
Bailey, who finished runner-up in last year's MGA Amateur Championship, needed birdies on the 17th and 18th to force a tie at three-over par and a playoff with Apperson.
"It was pretty pressure-packed," Bailey said. "There were a couple of times I thought I might have been out of (contention), so to get that close made me pretty mentally tough. Plus there were about fifty family and friends around the 18th green, so it was exciting."
Indeed Bailey did birdie 17 and 18, thus creating the playoff scenario. On the third playoff hole, it was still undecided as both golfers were close to the hole with chances at par and an additional hole.
But Apperson missed his two-foot putt, and Bailey drained his four-footer, giving Bailey his first substantial amateur win and some momentum going into the State Amateur and attempts to qualify for the U.S. Amateur.
"There have been a few tournaments I thought I should have won, so it's a good feeling to get this one," Bailey said. "I think this will make it easier to win in the next few tournaments."
Bailey is expected to be one of the major contributors next season for the Rebels, who return six players with tournament experience from last season.
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