AUSTIN, Texas (Sept. 15, 2013) -- It wasn't your conventional eight-shot victory, but Brian Noonan will take it.
The Austin-area golfer entered the final round of the 2013 Harvey Penick Invitational with a commanding eight-shot lead and even stretched it to nine shots early in his Sunday round.
But after the turn, Noonan's lead had dissolved thanks to a double-bogey and four bogeys.
But, as quickly as it left, the lead returned as Noonan, a former golfer at LSU, caught fire. He birdied four of his next five holes while contender Derek Meinhart tripled the 15th hole.
In the end, Noonan's eight-shot lead vanished and returned as he finished eight shots ahead of Meinhart and Andrew Lawson.
Noonan and Meinhart both finished with tumultuous 74s in the final round while Lawson shot 71 to sneak into a tie for second place.
Colby Harwell, a former winner at the Carlton Woods Invitational, fired the day's low round, a 67, to sneak into a tie for fourth place alongisde Clarke Kincaid and Michael Walton.
Bob Kearney shot a final-round 71 to win the Senior Division by two shots over John Grace and Mike Peck.
The 54-hole stroke-play invitational has quickly become one of the premier amateur events in the region and includes Mid-Am and Senior Divisions.
The tournament honors the late Harvey Penick, the renowned golf teacher who had an 82-year association with Austin Country Club.
ABOUT THE
Harvey Penick Invitational
54-hole stroke play invitational that has
quickly become one of the premier
amateur
events in the region. Mid-Am and Senior
Divisions.
The tournament honors the late Harvey
Penick,
the renowned golf teacher who had an
82-year
association with Austin Country Club.
Penick, a
Texas native, began his career at the age
of
eight as a caddy at Austin Country Club,
became the assistant pro there at
thirteen,
and was elevated to head professional in
1923
upon graduation from high school. In 1971
he
was named Professional Emeritus when
his son,
Tinsley, succeeded him as Head
Professional.
Harvey Penick taught golf for seven
decades
and coached the University of Texas golf
team
for 33 years. Among those whom he
taught to
"take dead aim" were Ed White, Betty
Jameson, Morris Williams Jr., Betsy Rawls,
Mickey Wright, Kathy Whitworth, Tom Kite,
Ben Crenshaw, and Sandra Palmer.
Visit www.harveypenickinvitational.com for complete
tournament information.
View Complete Tournament Information