LANSDOWNE, Va. (Sept. 14, 2014) — Fredericksburg’s Jon Hurst shot a final-round 75 to post a two-stroke victory as the 38th Virginia State Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship concluded today at The Golf Club at Lansdowne. Final day action was conducted at Lansdowne’s Norman Course.
Hurst, 45, completed the event with a 4-under-par 212 aggregate (72-65-75) to post a repeat victory in the event. Following a second round championship-best 7-under 65, Hurst held a six-stroke lead entering the final day. Record seven-time event winner Keith Decker (Martinsville) closed with 1-under 71 and placed second (2-under 214). Roanoke’s Justin Young carded a final-day best 4-under 68 and finished four off the pace (even-par 216).
Though he went without a birdie, Hurst played consistently throughout most of the day, logging 16 pars against a bogey and a late double-bogey at No. 15 that reduced his lead over Decker to three shots.
Hurst’s second day total of 65 at the RTJ course, which included six birdies and an eagle against one bogey, gave him a cushion headed to the final day on a demanding Norman Course where danger lurks on the perimeter of the layout and errant shots are often punished.
“I kept my distance most of the day and thankfully I was able to pull it out,” Hurst said. “I said to Keith, ‘Thank goodness for 65.’ It could’ve been a much different story.”
Hurst hit fairways and greens on a consistent basis, a must at the Norman Course and when it’s time to seal the victory.
“I tried to play aggressively. I just couldn’t get any putts to fall,” Hurst said.
Decker made birdie from 10 feet at No. 16 to get to two under for the championship, but like his fellow-competitors had just too much ground to make up on the final day.
“He played very well. He deserved it. He did what he had to do,” Decker said. “He was just so far ahead that we couldn’t put enough pressure on him early enough to make him worry too much. We both played pretty well.
“Jon does not make mistakes. He keeps it in play. In my opinion he is one of the three best ball strikers in Virginia. Jon is never out of play and doesn’t hit bad shots. It’s just a matter of whether or not he makes putts.”
Hurst, a former mini-tour player, is known as one of the finest amateurs in the commonwealth and only enhanced that reputation with his second VSGA ‘major’ title after winning last year’s Mid-Amateur at The Foundry. He entered the championship ranked seventh among VSGA player rankings leaders and will only climb up the standings with this latest victory.
The championship was conducted on the Norman Course two of the three days—during the first and final rounds. Young’s 68 on the last day was the low round on the Norman Course. He had six birdies against two bogeys.
View results for VSGA Mid-Amateur
ABOUT THE VSGA Mid-Amateur
54-hole stroke play competition (18 holes per day),
with the field being cut to the low 45 and ties for the
final round. Open to VSGA members who will be at
least 25 years of age holding an active GHIN
number
issued by a licensed VSGA Member Club in good
standing.
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