The top 3: Ashton Poole (L), Chandler Eaton, S.M. Lee
By Stan Awtrey
ATLANTA, GA (June 9, 2018) -
Ashton Poole might not have been in the position to win the 52nd Dogwood Invitational if it hadn’t been for an old friend back in Charlottesville, Va.
Poole got a little nudge to get in the field a year ago from former U.S. Amateur and British Amateur champion
Vinny Giles, who had been a two-time winner of the Dogwood.
“When a former champion calls, you listen to what they have to say,” said Dogwood Tournament Chairman Edward Toledano.
With a boost from Giles, Poole got in the field a year ago and missed the cut by two shots. This year he returned and scorched the field for a four-shot win. Poole, a native of Charlotte who will be a junior at Virginia in the fall, had rounds of 69-66-64-67 for a 22-under 266.
Giles, who played at the University of Georgia and attended law school at Virginia, was a two-time winner of the Dogwood (1963 and 1965) and requested a spot for young friend a year ago.
“Vinny is a buddy of mine and he helped me get in the tournament,” Poole said. “To win the same tournament that Vinny won, with his career, means so much.”
Chandler Eaton, a junior at Duke, shot a 65 on Saturday and made a valiant push. He finished alone in second at 18-under 280, one shot better than Palmer Cup player
S.M. Lee of Dalton State, who closed with a 68 and finished 17-under.
“I’m super proud,” Eaton said. “I didn’t really know where I was at the end. I knew I was doing really good. I knew I was making putts and hitting fairways and that adds up in the end.”
Jacob Solomon of Auburn and
William Nottingham of Clemson tied for fourth. Solomon finished with a 69 and Nottingham shot 72, as the pair finished at 15-under 273.
Poole had a three-shot lead at the turn, but saw it dwindle to one after Eaton made a birdie at the par-4 16th hole. But the tide turned quickly; Poole birdied the 16th and minutes later Eaton doubled the 17th, restoring Poole’s three-shot lead.
Poole said he was nervous, despite the big lead coming down the stretch.
“It’s by far the biggest win of my career,” Poole said. “I was nervous. At some point on the first tee, I’m thinking, ‘I’m good, I’m good.’ And when I teed the ball up and stood up, I couldn’t feel my legs. So anyone who says they’re not nervous coming down the stretch with the lead is lying. You just have to stick to your game plan and play to your strengths.”
The defending champion
Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines shot a 72 to finish T35 at 1 under.
Guilford College coach
Justin Tereshko was the low mid-amateur, finishing in a tie for 8th at 12-under 276.
Canadian mid-amateur
Garrett Rank, who will compete in next week's U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, closed with a 70 to finish 34th at 2 under.
Related: VIDEO: U.S. Open Qualifier, and NHL Referee Garrett Rank
ABOUT THE Dogwood Invitational
Tournament week is June 6-11 at Druid Hills
Golf
Club
in
Atlanta, Georgia. The entry fee includes
breakfast
and lunch
tournament days as
well
as special events.
The history of this prestigious event extends
back to
1941, when legendary amateur Tommy Barnes
captured his first of five Dogwood titles.
Evolving
with
the times, the modern Dogwood has produced
fine
champions like Webb Simpson (’07), Brian
Harman
(’09), Dawson Armstrong (’15), and in 2019
Brandon
Mancheno. This
evolution can
be
seen also in our course renovations and set-up,
our
relaxed tournament atmosphere, and our spirit
of
social
responsibility.
Players are required to walk during tournament
play
and may carry their golf bag themselves (push
carts are
allowed) or take a caddie. Caddies may be
requested
in advance during registration, or players may
select
one on their own.
Player housing is provided on an as available
basis to
players only, caddies and traveling
companions are not
provided housing.
View Complete Tournament Information