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By Stan Olenik
For Hometown News
Daniel Stanley did not shoot a record setting ten-under par 62 in the final round of the 2009 Coca-Cola Spartanburg County Amateur but his three-under par 69 was good enough for his second straight championship.
The Boiling Springs High School grad once again battled Kyle Milner for the title but this year the competition was much closer. Stanley became only the sixth golfer in the history of the event to defend his title.
“There was a little difference between this year and last year,” said Stanley. “You can’t measure any other rounds against that 62. It was just one of those freak rounds. You have to go out there and play your game and see what happens,” said the champion.
Stanley shot a seven-under par 65 in the second round to take a two shot lead over Milner and the field into the final round at Woodfin Ridge. Milner was able to cut Stanley’s lead to just a shot at the turn.
“I got off to the start I wanted to and put a little pressure on him,” he said. “Last year I was playing a little defensively and he jumped all over me. This year I started strong and made three birdies in the first nine holes to stay with him,” he said.
However, the tenth hole had been a problem for Milner in the first two rounds and it proved to be trouble again in the final round. “Ten had my number. I bogeyed it all three days,” he said.
Stanley added a birdie on the twelfth hole to push his lead to three shots. Milner was forced to take a drop after his tee shot on number fourteen was unplayable and Stanley birdied the hole while Milner settled for a bogey and the defending champion opened a four shot lead.
It looked like Stanley was on his way to another blow out win when Milner rallied to cut into his lead. Milner birdied number 15 and rolled in another birdie putt from eight feet on the seventeenth hole. The two leaders went to the final hole separated by only two shots.
“I hit a lot of good shots on 15, 16 and 17. I knew I was two down but I still thought I had a chance on the last hole. I never give up,” he said.
Milner missed the fairway with his tee shot while Stanley unleashed his best drive of the day. “I killed that drive,” he said. “I’ve never hit a drive that far in my life, it was just awesome,” said Stanley.
In perfect position off the tee, Stanley’s second shot landed in the center of the green, 20 feet from the pin on the par-5 finishing hole. The defending champion narrowly missed his eagle putt but was left with a tap in birdie for the three shot victory.
“It feels great to win it both times,” said Stanley. “It took a little more patience this year. It was a good match all day, Kyle played great.” said Stanley.
Missed opportunities were the difference between finishing ahead of Stanley or second for the second year according to Milner. “I had a number in mind at the start of the round. I thought a 68 would do it but that wouldn’t have been enough. I played a better 54 holes this year than I did last year. Daniel is tough to beat here and he was just that much better today,” said a disappointed Milner.
First round leader Josh McMillan posted a five under par 67 for the best final round score and a tie for third place with Kevin Roberts. Brian Horton finished in firth place while Brad Sill took sixth place and Chip Ridley was seventh. Rounding out the top-ten was Taylor Hough in eighth place, Arran Setro in ninth and Wright Gaines, Max Fain and Austin Page all tied for tenth.
Flight winners included First Flight – Kyle Scruggs, Second Flight – Jeffery Horton, Third Flight – Johnny Jarrett, Fourth Flight – Craig Parris, Fifth Flight – Brian Dully, Sixth Flight – Todd Haney and Seventh Flight – Marlon Hillstock.
This year’s tournament included 149 golfers and proceeds from the event are contributed to The First Tee of Spartanburg.
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