- photo courtesy Denny Glass
NAPLES, Florida (April 7, 2013) -- Nathan
Kimsey captured the Terra Cotta Invitational in
Florida today at Naples National Golf Club. It
was a tough battle between Kimsey and 36-
hole
co-leader Robby Shelton (playing together in
the final group), as nobody in the groups in
front of them could pose a serious charge.
Kimsey and Shelton bogeyed the par-3 17th,
(both players missed the green on the 183-
yard
hole) and stood at the 18th tied. Kimsey's par
was enough to do the trick, as Shelton
suffered
another bogey, and he won with a 54-hole
total
of 4-under 212.
To say Kimsey was warmed up coming into the
Terra Cotta, and due for a victory, would be
an
understatement.
Kimsey, 20, is a member of the prestigious
2013 English squad and represented his
country
in the Eisenhower Trophy in Australia in
January. Kimsey and his teammates also played
a number of major individual events like the
Australian Amateur (rd of 32) and Master of
the
Amateurs (T20) and several prestigious
regional
events on the same trip. He was runner-up in
both the Lake Macquarie Amateur in Australia
and the Avondale Medal Play, both top-level
events at beautiful courses. In March, Kimsey
represented England at the European Nations
Cup.
Coming down the stretch on Sunday his
"tournament tough" game showed. The 18th at
Naples National is a double-dogleg par-5 where
placement is key, as few players go for the
green in two. Kimsey played position golf, while
Shelton, the No. 2 ranked junior found tree
trouble on the right off the tee. Punching out
and trying to clear some native grasses,
Shelton's ball overcut and found the water
hazard requiring a drop and penalty stroke.
Both players wedged to makeable distance.
Kimsey missed his birdie putt to guarantee a
victory outright, but Shelton's putt also slipped
by. At 17-years old and heading for Alabama in
September, make a note of Shelton's name if
you follow the game. Tournament director
Denny Glass was impressed with both top
finishers' games, and the quality of younger
players' play as of late.
"It's amazing to see the poise that these
players
have," said Glass, who noted that the
youngest
player ever in a U.S. Open, 15-year-old Andy
Zhang of China was in his field this year.
"At the Northeast Amateur [Glass is also
tournament director there, ed.] and the Terra
Cotta there are a lot more better young
players
than I've seen in the past."
NOTABLE 2013 PLAYERS
* 13 AJGA All-Americans
* 2012 U.S. Open participants Beau Hossler
(13) Andy Zhang (T35) respectively.
* 2012 Terra Cotta runner-up Jim Liu, the
youngest-ever USGA Junior Amateur champion
(T7)
ABOUT THE
Terra Cotta Invitational
54-hole stroke play tournament with no cut.
Caddies are required. A Sponsor/Contestant
tournament is held before the event.
The Terra Cotta is an invitational. However,
they do
encourage applications and players can submit
their
golf resume for consideration.
View Complete Tournament Information