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Ed
Stone Wins 1999 Championship
The 3rd Annual TBI Match Play Championship was
contested over a several month time period over the summer of 1999, with
twenty golfers vying for the top prize of
$250. Ed Stone won the title by eliminating three previously
undefeated players in the playoffs, including a narrow victory over
Benny Anderson in the Final at McCormick Woods Golf Course.
The tournament field was divided into five regions, with golfers
grouped according to geography and playing availability. Each region
played a round robin format (each golfer plays every other golfer in
the region) with the top two finishers from each region advancing to
the playoffs. This format made every match count, and an early loss
did not disqualify anyone. In fact, Ed Stone lost his second round
robin match to Eric Blomberg and bounced back to claim the
championship.
In the North Region, Dave Schmidt finished the round robin phase
with a 3-0 record to advance to the playoffs as the top seed. Dave
shot a stunning 77 at Riverbend in a match against Bert Dewell to
secure this lofty position. Bert advanced as well, powered by a
career best 78 at Jefferson Park Golf Course in a match against Dave
Sisler.
Mick Tovey and Mike Fitzsimmons garnered the two playoff spots from
the East Region. The region's top seed went to Mick after he made
four consecutive back nine pars at Druid's Glen to hold off Mike in
the deciding match.
In the West, Ed Stone sank a 30 foot par putt on the 18th
green at Gold Mountain to take a 1up victory over Dan Kwong and
capture the region's top seed. Ed also escaped with a 1up victory
over Shawn Tovey at Vicwood Golf Links after trailing by 2 with two
holes to play. Dan Kwong also advanced to the playoffs with two
victories.
The closely contested Tacoma Region featured two matched decided in
putt-offs, and the playoff entrants weren't decided until the final
match was completed. Chris Tovey beat Bryce Zimmerman in a putt off
at The Classic, and lost to his dad, Mike Tovey, in a putt-off at
Trophy Lake. In the pivotal match, Chris defeated Chris Hermson at
Lake Spanaway to wrap up the top spot. Chris Hermson also advanced.
Benny Anderson blitzed the Edgewood Region with a 3-0 record, and
Lance Takehara bounced back from an opening round loss to Benny to
capture the other playoff spot.
In the playoffs, Dave defeated Bert and Benny defeated Lance in
rematches of round robin contests. Mike Fitzsimmons vanquished Chris
Tovey 1up on the first extra hole after an amazing approach shot
between two trees. Ed defeated defending champion Mick Tovey 2&1
at Auburn Golf Course in a match that wasn't as close as the score
indicated.
Benny's 2up semifinal victory over Mike Fitzsimmons was completed in
a rainstorm at Riverbend Golf Course, and the match came down to the
last hole after Benny birdied the 17th. "Mike was a
warrior on the course", exclaimed Benny. Ed defeated Dave
Schmidt 1up on the same course. After both players scorched the
front nine with four over par 40s, this match also came down the
last green.
In the Finals, vacation-weary Benny sank two clutch putts on the
back nine to stay close to Ed, but the champions steady play was too
much to overcome. Congratulations to the 1999 TBI Match Play
Champion, Ed Stone! Click
here for playoff bracket
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