Preston Edmondson
(Carolinas Golf Association Photo)

After opening the tournament with a first round 74, Edmondson turned around his week with 13 birdies and an eagle over his next 36 holes. “I was hitting it close all week, I just didn’t putt well but then things changed. These greens are so good that you just have to hit it on your line, you’re going to make some putts,” said Edmondson.

The win is Edmondson's first solo title which was a goal of his starting the year. The current North Carlina Four-Ball Champion felt the pressure during the final round, “I was so jumpy out there but playing with Paul (Simson) it calmed me down. To see how calm he was really helped me and I was able to play better,” added Edmondson about his final 9 holes of five-under-par.

With the win Edmondson will reach a goal he set at the beginning of the year. The win earns him an automatic spot on the Captain's Putter team, “I marked Kinlock [the host site] on my schedule. I wanted to make the team so I could go there.” When asked about what the win meant Edmondson said, “It means a lot, I have been playing against these guys since I was a Mid-Am, and they win a lot, I don’t have the experience of being in the hunt. It means a lot to play with Paul and ride with him and these other guys out here and win”

Second round leader and defending champion Pat Thompson of Ashville, N.C. finished one shot shy of defending his championship. Needing a birdie on the last, Thompson was unable to convert a lengthy putt. His rounds of 68-71-71 were good enough to finish alone in second.

Doug Owens of Albemarle, N.C. finished a mere two shots back in solo third. Owens also needed to birdie on the last to match Edmondson but an errant second shot found the hazard on the right leading to a bogey.

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