Pressure Cooker
Erik Meland won the inaugural Cherry Creek Classic last Saturday by outlasting Barb Hoelzle in a 7 hole playoff. This was the Tour founder’s 18th career Tour win but his first since the 2008 Quad-Tour Challenge. Meland and Hoelzle finished the regulation 18 holes at 1-under par 71 and then traded 2-putt pars for the 4-hole playoff. Meland secured the win on the 3rd extra hole with his 7th consecutive 2-putt while Hoelzle finally succumbed to a tricky putt that rose nearly 2 feet and then dropped back down 2 feet to a hole 15 feet away.
In regulation,Meland played the final 6 holes in 6-under par with 4 birdies and an eagle to force the playoff. The win, worth $32, sends Meland to the top of the East Money List ($46) and almost certainly secures a spot on the East Commissioner’s Cup team in September. Hoelzle, the Tour’s all-time leader among female members with 6 wins and $470 in career earnings, is 0-3 in playoffs but she is ranked 2nd on the East Money List ($33.60) and has most likely secured her spot on the East Commisioner’s Cup team as well.
Charlie Roy (36-36 – 72) recorded birdies on 4 of the last 5 holes but a double-bogey at 17 derailed the comeback and he missed joining the playoff by 1 stroke. Steve Prew (39-36 – 75) and Rick Persichetti (38-37 – 75) shared 4th place.
Full results and history: Cherry Creek Classic
← All newsAll Cherry Creek Classic storiesCherry Creek Classic history & results
