BANGS — Adam Arnett is $500 richer today.
The 26-year-old amateur golfer from Columbus took home first place in the 2011 Ohio Public Golf Association Mid-Amateur Tournament at Chapel Hill on Sunday.
Sunday’s downturn of the weather didn’t shake Arnett. He stayed consistent, shooting an even par 36-36-72 on the final day of the two-day tournament.
“I think I hit pars from No. 4 on,” Arnett said. “It ended up being enough. Sometimes, par works.”
Arnett (69-72—141) finished 3-under par for the tournament, one of only two players to finish under par.
The final round saw temperatures around 30 degrees cooler than Saturday’s opening round. Howard resident Mark Hunnicut held the lead after Saturday’s round at 5-under. He maintained the lead late on Sunday, until hitting three bogeys in the final four holes. He ended the tournament at 1-under, two strokes from the lead.
“I hit a double-bogey on 14, then I just kind of hobbled in,” Hunnicut said. “I was leading by one until I (hit those three bogeys.) That kind of put a damper on my victory.”
The cold, wet weather made the greens unpredictable. It also made it virtually impossible to use a wood in the longer-than-usual grass in the rough. That didn’t stop some golfers, who went for a daring approach.
“You can’t do that here,” Arnett said, “especially with the downhill (greens). You chip it too hard, and the ball just keeps going and going and going. It’s all about being patient.”
Also playing in the final foursome were Doug Savage from Mount Vernon and Nick Bly from Columbus. Savage, the former Mount Vernon High School baseball coach, finished tied for fifth with a score of 71-77-148. Bly ended the day with a score of 72-85-157.
