McNulty Wins State Am in OT

Wes McNulty birdied the first hole of sudden death to win the 95th ASGA Stroke Play Championship at Pine Bluff Country Club Sunday afternoon. In the playoff, both players found the center of the fairway on the reachable par-5 1st hole. McNulty's second shot found the greenside bunker and Payne's second was long over the back of the green. Both played nice third shots to within 12 feet. Payne missed and McNulty made as approximately 35 people watched, many of them members at PBCC. Both players finished regulation at 11-under par. McNulty found himself three down with four holes to play, before birdies at 15 and 17 and a bogie (3-putt) by Payne at 15 sent the duo into overtime. The pro shop was overflowing for the trophy ceremony, including McNulty's longtime teacher and former PBCC Professional for more than 37 years, George McKeown. George is a member of the Arkansas Golf Hall of Fame and it was nice to have him there for the presentation. In the first ever mid-senior division, John Siratt won by three strokes over Tracy Harris and David Shirey. Hats off to Cary Maddox, PGA Golf Professional and his staff and to Garland Tynes, Superintendent and his staff for all their hard work. Thunderstorms the first two rounds caused more than 5 hours of delays. The golf course was in outstanding shape, especially considering the May rains had a large part of the golf course under water, including the 11th green, which was more than 4 feet under water for afew days.