O’Brien birdies final hole, wins 2020 Carroll Amateur
Andrew O’Brien, of Clive, and Nate McCoy, of Ankeny, were neck-and-neck down the stretch of the 2020 Carroll Amateur, with McCoy looking to defend his title after a 9-stroke victory in 2019. After navigating the wind all afternoon, the pair stood tied at 7-under heading into the final hole, where O’Brien seized victory with a birdie. O’Brien posted rounds of 67-69-69 for a three-round tally of 205 (-8).
Rounding out the podium was Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Member Jon Brown, who finished with a three-round total of 208 (-5) and posted the low-round of the weekend with a 64 (-7) during the opening round.
In the Senior Division, Jeff Panek, of Johnston, ousted Gary Ellis, of Norwalk, in a playoff to capture the title after both posted 36-hole totals of 142 (E). Joe Palmer, of Norwalk, finished in third place after rounds of 70-74 for a total of 144 (+2).
In the Super Senior Division, Richard Gorbell, of Cedar Falls, edged out James Blackburn, of Des Moines, for his second Super Senior victory of the summer after winning two short weeks ago at the IGA Senior Match Play. Gorbell rallied after an opening round of 80 to shoot a 75 on Sunday, which set him one shot clear atop the leaderboard at a total of 155 (+13). Blackburn posted rounds of 77-79 for a tally of 156 (+14).