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Matt Gourgeot wins Spirit of America in a playoff
Matt Gourgeot <br>(Alabama Golf Association Photo)</br>
Matt Gourgeot
(Alabama Golf Association Photo)


DECATUR, AL (July 10, 2016) -- It took four holes but in the end Matt Gourgeot was able to outlast Neil Gannaway in a four hole playoff and win the Spirit of America at Burningtree Country Club. Both players finished even-par for the week.

Gourgeot, the 36-hole leader, reached the playoff after rounds of 71-74-70-69. On the final day Gourgeot started slowly and was 3-over for the day after 12 holes, 4-over for the tournament before turning his around over the course of the last six holes.

Gourgeot got things going with a birdie on No. 14 and then followed that up with an eagle on the par-5 16th. With two holes remaining Gourgeot birdied the 17th to reach even-par for the week and conclude a 4-under in four hole stretch.

Neil Gannaway who recently finished his collegiate career at Tennessee Tech where he played golf and football carded rounds of 73-69-72-70 during the week. Gannaway tallied four birdies and two bogeys during his 2-under final round.

Will Thrash (Huntingdon) was third at 1-over, 54-hole leader Michael Peter (North Alabama) faltered on the final day before finishing fourth at 3-over while Blake Messer (Auburn) rounded out the top-5 by totaling a 4-over score.

Results: Spirit of America
1ALMatt GourgeotDecatur, AL30073-69-72-70=284*
2ALNeil GannawayBirmingham, AL20073-69-72-70=284
3ALWill ThrashPrattville, AL10077-71-67-70=285
4ALMichael PeterFlorence, AL10073-72-66-76=287
5ALBlake MesserHampton Cove, AL10074-69-72-73=288

View full results for Spirit of America

ABOUT THE Spirit of America

The Spirit of America Golf Classic is Burningtree Country Club's long-running, fundraising tournament held annually in conjunction with Decatur’s Spirit of America Festival, which itself is one of the largest, free Fourth of July festivals in the south. Established in 1967, this unique "college team and individual" format event has been home to collegiate players and top amateur players from across the nation. The format is 72-holes of stroke play, with a 54-hole collegiate team division. The "Spirit" tournament boasts many top graduates, like 1995 Champion-turned-PGA tour player Heath Slocum, and 1989 Junior Champion-turned-PGA tour player Stewart Cink.

Starting in 2020 the golf tournament will be a coed event. The plan is to have 30 two-woman teams and 30 two- man teams. The women’s teams will be invited and not have to pay an entry fee.

View Complete Tournament Information

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