University of Minnesota Athletics
Former Gopher Golfer Simon Nash Wins Hooters Tour Event
8/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Asked what he would do with his $22,300 first place check, Nash, of Brisbane, Australia, was quick to reply, I'm going to buy a new car. "I probably win The prize for the worst car on tour, a 1993 Chrysler LeBaron with 160,000 miles."
Nash started the day tied for first with Todd Pinneo (Fayetteville, AR), who finished tied for second with four other players. Pinneo had an outside shot at forcing a play-off on 18. He needed a birdie, coupled with a Nash bogey to go extra holes. Pinneo's birdie try came up two feet short and Nash"s par attempt lipped out.
For most of the day, the leaders were bunched closer together than an Eskimo family in an igloo. After 12 holes, Elliot Gealy (Salisbury, NC) jumped into a one shot lead at 19 under par, but his lead lasted only as long as a three putt bogey on 13 and a bogey on the short par five 14th, a hole that most of the leaders, including Nash birdied as part of a four hole birdie barrage that saw him move to 21 under par.
Mike Austin, who tied the course record of 63 (set by Pinneo Saturday), joined Pinneo, Andrew Dahl, Michael Henderson and Tom McKnight for second, each earning $7,394 for four-days work over the 6,753 yard, par 72 Bailey Ranch Golf Club.
Nash, who graduated from the University of Minnesota last Summer, captured his first Hooters Tour victory and second professional win, after winning Cedar Rapids Open earlier this year.
This was the third time that Nash had been in the final Hooters group on Sunday. The two previous times he played poorly on the last day and fell well down the leader board.
"Today, I was determined to be patient. I learned from the other two Sunday finishes." It also helped that his wedge did not show patience, as he consistently used it to hit his approach shots within five feet of the hole. His putt on 18, of about 30 feet, was his longest on the back nine.
Nash continued his stellar play Monday as he qualified for the Nationwide Tour's Price Cutter Charity Classic in Springfield, Mo., this weekend.
