Marsico Wins 72nd CGA Stroke Play

Denver – Jonathan Marsico of Green Gables CC shot 68 in the final round for a four-under-par total of 206 to earn a two-stroke victory in the 72nd CGA Stroke Play Championship at the prestigious Pinehurst Country Club. For the 26 year-old Marsico, this was his first CGA individual title and, in his words, “By far the biggest win of my career.”
 
Marsico began the day one stroke behind current CGA Junior Stroke Play champion Kory Harrell of Eisenhower GC. Harrell struggled early and Marsico played the front nine two-under to move into the lead at four-under. On the back nine he stayed steady making nine consecutive pars to hold his lead to the finish.
 
2006 champion and CU player Patrick Grady of Omni Interlocken shot 69 in the final round to finish in a three-way tie for second at 208. Also shooting 69 to finish at 208 was Jon Lindstrom of Legacy Ridge GC. Jacob Lestishen of Lone Tree GC matched the tournament’s low round, a five-under 65, to climb into the second place tie at 208. Harrell finished fifth at 209.
 
Marsico, who played high school golf at Cherry Creek HS, resumed playing competitive golf only two years ago. This was his third event of the year, having previously played in the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier at Columbine CC and the HealthONE Colorado Open where he made the cut and finished T42.
 
“It’s really an honor to have my name on the same trophy as players like Hale Irwin, Steve Jones and Brandt Jobe,” said Marsico of the coveted N.C. “Tub” Morris Trophy which will reside at his home club Green Gable CC until the 2009 CGA Stroke Play Championship.
 
The tournament was shortened to 54 holes when the third round was cancelled due to extreme weather conditions that began Friday before the second round and continued through Saturday. The Pinehurst Country Club staff was able to facilitate the conclusion of the second round by squeegee-ing the green between groups, and then worked around the clock to have the course ready for play on Sunday.

Complete scorecards can be found at www.COgolf.org..


Photos can be downloaded by clicking HERE <http://www.flickr.com/photos/cgamedia/sets/72157606746192694/> (give photo credit to the “CGA”)
 

FINAL RESULTS

Jonathan Marsico, Green Gables CC, 67-71-68--206
Patrick Grady, Omni Interlocken Resort, 67-72-69--208
Jacob Lestishen, Lone Tree GC, 73-70-65--208
Jon Lindstrom, Legacy Ridge GC, 68-71-69--208
Kory Harrell, Eisenhower GC, 65-72-72--209
Luke Symons, Valley CC, 68-71-71--210
Justin Spray, CC of Colorado, 69-72-70--211
Tom Gempel, Pinery CC, 71-70-71--212
Scott Mendelsohn, South Suburban Family SC, 70-77-65--212
Mark Hubbard, Pinehurst CC, 74-69-70--213
Danny Hahn, Inverness GC, 72-75-66--213
Tyler Bishop, Twin Peaks GC, 70-76-69--215
Steve Irwin, Lakewood CC, 68-74-73--215
Zachary Zaremba, Desert Hawk at Pueblo West, 71-72-72--215
Pat Bowe, Courses at Hyland Hills, 73-72-73--218
Chris Carlson, Highlands Ranch GC, 73-76-69--218
Darrin Hall, Lakewood CC, 71-77-70--218
James Kurtenbach, South Suburban GC, 73-73-72--218
Michael Spaulding, Lone Tree GC, 74-70-74--218
Tom Krystyn, Highlands Ranch GC, 72-73-73--218
Gunner Wiebe, Cherry Hills CC, 72-77-70--219
Ray Makloski, Pueblo CC, 73-76-70--219
Dale Syta, Deer Creek at Meadow Ranch, 77-71-71--219
David Cosel, Woodmoor Pines CC, 73-74-72--219
Brian Larson, Omni Interlocken Resort, 70-74-75--219
David Lysaught, Pinehurst CC, 74-75-71--220
Martin Prazak, Colorado GC, 69-75-76--220
Bill Fowler, Rolling Hills CC, 70-76-74--220
Kelly Crone, Deer Creek at Meadow Ranch, 75-72-73--220
Dan Kleckner, Colorado GC, 75-74-71--220
Trey Bollinger, Rolling Hills CC, 70-76-75--221
Stuart Drahota, Fort Collins CC, 73-74-74--221
Frank Fager, Black Bear GC, 75-73-73--221
Josh Berrelez, Boomerang Golf Links, 76-73-73--222
Bryan Olshock, Bear Creek GC, 75-75-73--223
Richard Lash, Haymaker GC, 75-72-76--223
Tad Willenbrock, Glenmoor CC, 74-76-75--225
Neil Metz, Flatirons GC, 75-73-77--225
Bill Werley, Pinehurst CC, 76-73-78--227
Joshua Mathis, Colorado Springs CC, 71-78-78--227
Scott Huelskamp, Columbine CC, 73-77-80--230