LOGIN  |  JOIN  |  INFO  |  BENEFITS
Harvey Penick Inv.: Murphy surges to victory
AUSTIN, Texas (Oct. 7, 2012) -- Play at the 2012 Harvey Penick Invitational has been completed. Ryan Murphy of Austin shot a final-round 69 to win by one shot over Andrew Lawson of Dallas and by two over Kevin Watford of Franklin, TN.

Joe Sanders of Incline Village, NV entered the final round with a one-shot lead, but it was Watford who forged ahead with a 3-under 33 on the outward nine. Murphy, who is the assistant golf coach at the University of Texas, was seven shots back at the turn, but four birdies later found himself alone in the lead heading to the difficult par-4 18th. A pulled tee shot left a 200+ yard approach shot over the canyon to the green, but Murphy was able to find land short right of the green, then get up and down making a six-footer for par. Andrew Lawson, who eagled the 17th to briefly take the lead before Murphy caught him, bogeyed the final hole and finished one behind. It was then up to Watford, who had lost four shots and needed to birdie the 18th to force a playoff, but his approach from the fairway bunker found the canyon and Murphy was the winner.

In the Senior Division, Jeff New of The Woodlands, TX started the day as the only player under par, but went triple-double on the 7th and 8th holes to surrender the lead to 2010 HPI champion Larry Nunez of Austin, who turned at even for the day and +2 for the tournament. But New rebounded with birdies at 9, 12 and 13 to regain the lead as Nunez faded, and held on to win by one shot over Chuck Ellenwood of San Antonio, who closed with a 70. Nunez finished third, three shots back.

Thanks to all players who participated in the tournament this year. Thanks also to Bobby Stringer, course superintendent who worked so hard to bring the golf course to championship condition.

And a special thanks to Tinsley Penick, Harvey's son and former longtime professional at Austin Country Club whose presence this week was appreciated by all. For daily prizes, Tinsley signed and presented copies of Harvey Penick's Little Red Book: 20th Anniversary Edition to any player shooting the low round in his division, and to any player making an eagle during the course of the tournament. Daily prize winners were:

Low Round, Mid-Amateurs:Andrew Lawson 69 (Round 1), Steve Irwin 70 (Round 2), Ryan Murphy 69 (Round 3)

Low Round, Seniors:Larry Nunez 71 (Round 1), Wayne Smith and Jim Myers 70 (Round 2), Hunter Nelson 69 (Round 3)

Eagles, Mid-Amateurs:Kody King, #15 (Round 1), Gene Black #7 (Round 2), Dean Clapp #15 (Round 2), Brent Brockermeyer #3 (Round 3), Andrew Lawson #17 (Round 3)

Eagles, Seniors:Larry Nunez, #17 (Round 1), Mike Rice, #10 (Round 2), Jarratt Jones #12 (Round 3)

Results: Harvey Penick Invitational
1TXRyan MurphyAustin, TX40076-72-69--217
2TXAndrew LawsonDallas, TX30069-77-72--218
3TNKevin WatfordFranklin, TN20070-75-74--219
4TXJoe SandersBee Cave, TX20070-74-77--221
T5TXColby HarwellSan Antonio, TX20074-73-76--223

View full results for Harvey Penick Invitational

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

Latest in 

Amateurgolf.com, Inc.
6965 El Camino Real 105-631
Carlsbad, CA 92009

Instagram X Facebook YouTube