Jonathan Alden started the final round of the 2017 Men’s City Championship with a four shot lead. He battled windy conditions, disaster on 16, and surging players up the leaderboard to capture the title, with a total score of 7-under par 280.
Holding the lead for more than a 54 hole stretch, it seemingly came undone on 16, when Alden posted a 9 on the downwind par 5. Walking to the 17th tee, he found himself two strokes behind steady playing Seger Howell. Howell’s bogey on 17 gave him a one shot lead over Alden, heading into the brutal 18th finishing hole at Jimmy Clay. Struggling with the 18th hole previously, Seger Howell, makes double bogey at the last, giving Alden a chance…a gutsy up and down from the green side bunker solidified Alden as the winner. A great week for Jonathan Alden, who had been playing well all year – Congratulations!
Had Alden not made the final putt, we would have had a five-way playoff at 6-under par. Ben Carter bounced back from his third round 79 with the low final round of the day, a stellar 68. Joining Carter, were Charles Neel White, Brian Noonan and Seger Howell at 6-under 281. Barrett Sandefur played steady golf and birdied two of his last three to finish 5-under and take solo 5th place. Joe Ramos, Nathan Shilling and Jake Hendrix finished at 4-under, tying for 7th. Jay Reynolds and Matt Wernecke were the last two golfers to finish under par for the tournament at 1-under to round out the top 10.
Thanks to all involved with the City of Austin for putting on a great tournament again this year, and once again congratulations Jonathan Alden!
Austin Amateur Golf 