Inspired Joyner seizes WCMA Open Division title

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 14, 2014 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

DUDLEY -- He's no longer "one-stroke Joyner," but a Wayne County Amateur Open Division champion instead.

Frustrated and dispirited by numerous one-shot losses throughout his post-high school career, Jeremy Joyner finally played that long-awaited memorable round on his home course and in honor of his mentor Sunday afternoon.

Joyner fashioned a sterling 5-under 66 to defeat second-round co-leader Nick Adams by two strokes on the Southern Wayne Country Club links. Joyner became just the second golfer in WCMA history to finish under par in all three rounds and just the fifth overall to shoot 66 or lower in a single round.

"To have letdowns and discouragements, many tournaments I've lost by one stroke where I messed up coming down the stretch, to finally do it on my home course with my pro leaving, I can't describe it," Joyner said. "I did for it (SWCC pro) Howard (Hunt). That was my motivation."

Jeff Jackson dethroned 2013 champion Tim Rose in the Senior Division. Jackson entered the day with an eight-stroke advantage, and ended up winning by seven strokes over Rose and Randy Adams.

"I tried to give it away, I swear," Jackson said.

Sprunt Hill claimed the Super Senior Division crown with a two-stroke victory over Richard Walderman. William Jetton emerged as the inaugural Masters Division champion with a three-shot triumph over Mickey Nance, who shot an opening-round 67 at Walnut Creek on Friday.

Less than three weeks ago, Hunt announced he was leaving SWCC for a job in Tarpon Springs, Fla. The news quickly spread through the southern part of the county and jolted Joyner.

Inspired by Hunt's decision, Joyner started the day four shots back of Adams and Kevin Herring. Former Open champion Lionel Sutton trailed Joyner by one shot.

Adams birdied No. 11, but slowly began to fade when his putter failed him. Consecutive bogeys on Nos. 12 and 13, and a double-bogey on the par-3 16th opened the door for Joyner.

Joyner logged three birdies in a four-hole stretch and grabbed a one-stroke lead on No. 15. He nearly relinquished the advantage with a bad tee shot on No. 16, but salvaged a par.

"A terrible shot," Joyner said.

Adams bogeyed No. 16 and Joyner returned the favor with a bogey on No. 17.

That set up a final-hole shootout.

Joyner hit a true drive off the tee that landed in the middle of the fairway, while Adams' shot drifted right and into the trees near the No. 1 tee box. Adams reached the green with a magnificent second shot and left himself with a long putt to force a possible playoff.

Standing over his ball that sat in a small patch of clover, Joyner hit a fat shot. The ball dropped onto the green nearly in line with the cup.

"I just wanted to give myself a chance for par," Joyner said.

Adams' putt rolled past the hole.

Joyner got a good read from Sutton, settled his feet and lightly tapped the ball. Once it rolled into the cup, Joyner pumped his right fist in the air and smiled as all those frustrating close defeats had finally been washed from his soul.

"I just took everything I've learned from (the losses) and grew from that," Joyner said. "I fought through it, took it one stroke at a time instead of thinking too far ahead. I think that was the thing that helped me."

Adams ended the round 1-over.

"On 18, I definitely thought I needed a birdie, then I saw him hit a bad second shot and I thought par might get (me) into a playoff," said Adams, who concluded his first-ever WCMA appearance with a 6-under 209. "Then he drained the putt. I played pretty solid, just got to the back and couldn't make any putts. My tee ball wasn't awesome ... just one of those things."

Kevin Herring claimed third with a three-day total of 3-under 212. Brandon Campbell captured fourth with a 2-under 213, while Dustin Smith posted a fifth-place score of 1-under 214.

Nearly 40 percent of the 127-player field received some sort of prize for their effort.