AUSTIN, Texas (Oct. 12, 2014) — Kenny Cook of
Noblesville, Ind. entered Sunday's final round
with a five-stroke lead. He eventually captured a
four-shot win at the Harvey Penick Invitational
while 2013 champion Brian Noonan came in
second place.
Cook, the 2011 U.S. Mid-Amateur runner-up,
used rounds of 70 and 68 to cushion his
lead before the final round and cruised to the
victory with an even-par 72. Noonan made a
nice push, shooting 69, but entered the last day
trailing by seven so the defending champion
would have needed something spectacular to
reclaim the title.
Cook was one of three first-round leaders at 70
after Friday's opening round, along with Texans
Colby Harwell and Neal Barfield. Harwell shot
73-72 over the weekend to finish five back in a
tie for fifth place while Barfield struggled in the
final two days, shooting 77-78.
John Ehrgott also tied for third with Harwell,
posting 73-72-70 en route to a one-under par
215 finish.
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John Grace
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In the Senior division, John Grace of Fort Worth,
Texas built a six-shot lead after stellar play in
the first two rounds and continued upon that on
Sunday. Grace shot three consecutive rounds in
the 60's — something that wasn't even done in
the Mid-Amateur division. Grace posted 206,
shooting 69-68-69 to win by a remarkable 10
shots.
Grace, 66, has finished runner-up at both the
U.S. Amateur and U.S.
Senior Amateur, and is also a former Walker
Cup member. His 54-
hole total of 206 is a Harvey Penick Senior
record.
One of two first-round leaders Bob Kearney
rebounded after a rough Saturday on the golf
course. After opening with 68, the Houston
resident shot ten shots higher the following day.
But after a 70 on Sunday, he returned near the
top of the leaderboard to finish alone in second
place.
Third place went to two players — Mike Peck and
Jeff New — at 217, eleven shots behind Grace.
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