...Carolina Golf News Line

Kemp Hangs On to Win Tarheel Tour's River Run Classic

DAVIDSON, N.C. -   By Craig Distl - Korky Kemp of Greensboro held off a charge from Huntersville's Matt Cannon on Wednesday to earn the $5,000 first-place check in the Tarheel Tour's River Run Classic at River Run Country Club.
Kemp, a former N.C. State standout, entered the day with a five-shot lead, but saw it dwindle to two after Cannon made three birdies on the front nine. On the back nine, both players alternated making bogeys and birdies before Kemp sealed the victory by hitting the par-5 18th in two and three-putting for a two-shot win. Kemp's round of 74 left him at nine-under 207. The win was especially sweet for Kemp because he missed two straight cuts on tour and recently took time off to adjust his swing.
"Practicing at home in Greensboro, I have been shooting some low scores, but I tell you, it's tough playing with a big lead like today," said Kemp. "You get a little bit conservative."
Cannon needed an eagle on the final hole, but missed the green with his second shot and chipped to about 15 feet. He missed that birdie putt and posted a 71, slipping into a three-way tie for second at 209 with Frank Adams of Laurinburg and David Sanchez of Pinehurst. Adam's 68 was the low round of the day. All three earned $2,166.66.
Charlotte's David Siegel and Jason Martin of Lenoir tied for fifth at 210 and earned $1,187.50 apiece, while rookie Matt Johnson of Fairfax, Va., finished seventh at 212 to win $1,100 in his second professional appearance.
The next event on the Tarheel Tour is the Providence Open, July 27-29 at Providence Country Club in Charlotte.
Tarheel Professional Tour
Final Results
River Run Country Club
Par 72 -- 7,082 Yards
Korky Kemp, Greensboro, $5,000 67-66-74--207
Matt Cannon, Huntersville, $2,166.66 68-70-71--209
David Sanchez, Pinehurst, $2,166.66 70-69-70--209
Frank Adams, Laurinburg, $2,166.66 71-70-68--209
Jason Martin, Lenoir, $1,187.50 68-73-69--210
David Siegel, Charlotte, $1,187.50 67-72-71--210
Matt Johnson, Fairfax, Va., $1,100 67-71-74--212
Tim Straub, Davidson, $1,025 75-65-73--213
Brett Boner, Charlotte, $1,000 71-70-73--214
Stefaan Van den Heever, S. Africa, $833.33 72-72-71--215
Justin Young, Roanoke, Va., $833.33 71-71-73--215
John McAllister, Spartanburg, $833.33 72-69-74--215
Derek Brown, Walnut Cove, NC, $700 71-71-75--217
Chris Patton, Fountain Inn, SC, $700 69-72-76--217
Russell Killough, Charlotte, $625 70-71-77--218
Stewart Moore, Charlotte, $575 69-75-75--219
Josh Dickinson, Matthews, $491.66 72-71-77--220
Michael Shamp, Charlotte, $491.66 74-69-77--220
John Speight, Raleigh, $491.66 69-74-77--220
Ben Freidell, Charlotte, $425 74-67-80--221
Cody Clark, Hickory, $400 75-69-82--226