Fastert wins 72nd Pine Hills Invitational on second playoff hole

OTTAWA — It was somewhat familiar territory for Wheeling's Michael Fastert during Sunday's play at the 72 annual Pine Hills Invitational here at the Pine Hills Golf Club.

Fastert, who won the 2013 event after a two-hole playoff and birdied three of his final four holes in regulation, carded a two-day, 36-hole, 1-under 139 to place him into a three-way tie and playoff with defending champion Baley Lehr and last year's senior champion John Finnin.

And as he did seven years ago, Fastert found himself raising the winning trophy. After he and Lehr each parred the first playoff hole to Finnin's bogie, Fastert's 8-foot putt on the second playoff hole gave him a par-4 — one shot better that Lehr's bogie —and his second championship.

"That first hole is very hard ... it's a narrow fairway and you don't want to go left," said Fastert, who finished nearly hour before Lehr and Finnin, then watched as each missed putts on No. 18 that would have finished things in regulation. "I just wanted my tee shot on No. 1 out somewhere right which I did. On the second playoff hole, I hit the ball 20 yards further (on No. 2/11) than I had first four times this weekend. My second shot was a little easier knowing I was hitting two and Baley was hitting three. I wasn't trying to make (his 60-foot third shot putt) — if it goes, in it goes — but I wanted to leave it beneath the hole. I would liked it to be a little closer that it ended up being, but I putted well all weekend so I was pretty confident I would make it."

Lehr started the playoff with a solid drive just to the left of the green, put his 50-yard pitch within 15 feet, but had his putt for birdie run just by the hole. On the second playoff hole, his tee shot sailed left into the rough and his second shot from beneath a tree fell short of the green. He flopped his third shot past the hole, leaving a 20-foot downhill putt off the fringe, then came up just inches short on his par attempt.

"I was in the best position out of us on the first playoff hole and the best look at a birdie but I just didn't make it," said Lehr, who finished in the top 6 for the fifth year straight. "I hit a good putt (on No. 1), but it just didn't break as much as I thought it would. I got lucky on my tee shot on No. 2, but just didn't hit a very good second shot. It wasn't the worst place to be, but being a downhill putt I couldn't be as aggressive as I would have liked to be. It was a fun tournament ... I just didn't make some shots I should have made."

Finnin, the seniors division winner for the second consecutive year, fell victim to the tall trees protecting the green on the left-hand side.

"I hit the ball the same spot all three times today," Finnin said with a chuckle. "I figured I could get my sand wedge over the trees ... I thought I did and was very surprised it didn't make it to the green. It was a tough shot with the ball resting uphill, but I also felt I got too cute with it. I could have been the first senior to win everything, but it just didn't work out.

"I've been around a while, so playing golf is relaxing and this weekend was really fun, especially being in the hunt."

The story early in the final round was that of recent Western Illinois University graduate Jackson Weatherbee. The 22-year old bounced back from a 77 on Saturday to fire an 18-hole event record-breaking 64 on Sunday, besting previous 65 efforts by Andy Mickelson and Brian Silvers.

"I got off to a horrible start on Saturday by hitting a tree, going out-of-bounds on my first tee shot and taking a triple-bogey," said Weatherbee, who carded eight birdies and finished with a 141 to tie for fourth with Ryan Cuitino and John Leverton. "I guess what is funny is I didn't hit one range ball (Sunday) morning ... I had an hour drive and just didn't have time. I made a good tee shot to start today and almost chipped in on No. 1 and from there I just started making putts. I was really trying to slow my swing down today, I was just too quick the first round."

Rounding out the top 15 in the overall championship — Jesse Cavanaugh (142) finished seventh; Scott Atkins, Dan Caporusso, Josh Gass and John Wright each shot 143 to tie for eighth, while Caleb Dzierzynski, Parker Govern, Jon Presscott and Trey Steffey carded 144s to end tied for 12th.

Jon Silvers, an 18-year old from Byron claimed the "A" division title with a 153 and Jim Zartman's 156 was good enough to claim the Super Senior division.

"The weather for the event has been a rollercoaster ride the past few years, so to be able to have such good weather was great," said Pine Hills club manager and tournament director Jeremiah Pike. "Those guys in the last few groups played fantastic golf, especially that final nine holes and playoff.

"The course played really well and it was able to dry up a little the past few days. The grounds crew, including Ed Riebe, did a great job, as did all of our volunteers. It was an all-around a great finish to a great weekend."

2019 PINE HILLS INVITATIONAL

At Pine Hills Golf Course, Ottawa

Par: 70

Overall final leaderboard (all flights)

(*- Won on second playoff hole)

Key: Golfer, Sat. (18)-Sun. (18) — Total

*Michael Fastert 71-68 — 139

Baley Lehr 71-68 — 139

John Finnin 70-69 — 139

Ryan Cuitino 70-70 — 141

John Leverton 74-67 — 141

Jackson Weatherbee 77-64 — 141