...Carolina Golf News Line                          Rivertowne Golf Hole

Bray Wins Tar Heel Season Opener 

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – Dustin Bray of Asheboro, NC birdied the 2nd playoff hole and captured the title at the Tarheel Tour’s inaugural Sandlapper Real Estate Classic at Rivertowne Golf Club.
Bray got off to another sluggish start in the final round with bogies on holes 2 and 3. Bruce McDonald of Zimbabwe took full advantage of this with birdies on the first two holes en route to taking a three shot lead early on. He maintained his lead for much of the front 9 before Bray hit what he called his shot of the tournament.
“Coming into number 9, I was still chasing Bruce and needed to make something happen. I wound up hitting a 3-iron from 239 yards to 12 feet and that set up an easy birdie for me heading into the back nine,” said Bray, clearly elated at having won his first event on the Tarheel Tour.
The back nine would see the players remain neck and neck before they halved the last five holes with each other. That finish would set up a playoff at the demanding 480 yard par-4 finishing hole.
Both players made routine pars on the first playoff hole and immediately headed back to the tee for another crack at the beast. This time around, Bray had an advantage that not many in the crowd knew about.
“When we played number 18 the first time, our third playing partner, Pete Popovich, had a putt that I eventually had on the second playoff hole. So, I knew exactly how it would break.”
That 30 foot birdie putt never left it’s line and dropped in amidst a loud roar from the fans and sponsors. Bray, a former “All-American” at UNC-Chapel Hill, collected $11,000 for his win. He also may have collected some inspiration from his alma mater’s basketball team the night before.
“Any year that we can beat NC State twice is a good year for me. I think this team could be headed for the Sweet 16 if not deeper,” Bray quipped as he referenced UNC’s 24 point beating of NC State the night before the final round.
McDonald, who played locally at The College of Charleston, picked up a runner-up check of $6,000 for his efforts.
Finishing third by himself was former Nationwide Tour player Chad Wilfong of Thomasville, NC. Wilfong was making a final round charge before bogeying the final two holes and eventually missing the playoff by one shot.
A foursome of players tied for fourth at even par 216. That grouping included Brian Quackenbush, Douglas Fiese, Chris Tucker, and Emmett Turner. Turner carded the round of the day with a 69 on a golf course more ready to host a US Open than a Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Needless to say, the course at Rivertowne was the real winner this week.
This event would not have happened without the support of our sponsor, Sandlapper Real Estate. The Tour would like to thank Gettys Glaze, Billy Schuman, and all their employees for their help in launching this tournament.
The Tour would also like to thank Marc Sunshine and his entire staff for hosting such a popular tournament. Thanks also go out to Robert Wilson and his staff for presenting an immaculate golf course for the duration of the event.
Next week, the Tarheel Tour goes down Highway 17 to Patriots Point Golf Links for the inaugural Patriots Point Open.
For more information, visit www.tarheeltour.com.

Tarheel Professional Tour
Sandlapper Real Estate Classic
Final Round Results
Rivertowne Golf Club
Par 72 – 7,188 yards

Dustin Bray, Asheboro, NC $11,000 69-71-74=214
Bruce McDonald, Zimbabwe $6000 71-70-73=214
Chad Wilfong, Thomasville, NC $4250 72-72-71=215
Emmett Turner, Augusta, GA $2537.50 71-76-69=216
Brian Quackenbush, Fairfax, VA $2537.50 72-73-71=216
Doug Fiese, Smyrna, GA $2537.50 72-72-72=216
Chris Tucker, Nichols, SC $2537.50 73-70-73=216
Andy Bare, Jacksonville, FL $1850 69-76-72=217
Greg Boyette, Charleston, SC $1562.50 73-74-72=219
Kevin Taylor, Mocksville, NC $1562.50 69-77-73=219
David Sanchez, Pinehurst, NC $1562.50 73-71-75=219
Matt Davidson , Greenville, SC $1562.50 76-68-75=219
Aaron Black, Australia $1200 74-73-73=220
Gary Christian , Chelsea, AL $1200 73-72-75=220
Ryan Gioffre, Greensboro, NC $1200 71-74-75=220
Scott McNeil, Canada $1025 72-74-76=222
Will McGirt, Taylors, SC $1025 70-74-78=222
Frank Adams III, Laurinburg, NC $828.57 72-75-76=223
Kyle Bradley, N. Augusta, SC $828.57 73-74-76=223
Jason Martin, Lenior, NC $828.57 72-75-76=223
David Siegel, Matthews, NC $828.57 73-73-77=223
David Seawell, Columbia, SC $828.57 69-76-78=223
Rob Bradley, Jacksonville, FL $828.57 73-70-80=223
Pete Popovich , Bluffton, SC $828.57 71-71-81=223
Billy Judah, Chesapeake, VA $687.50 77-70-77=224
Jack Ferguson, High Point, NC $687.50 72-75-77=224
Will Claxton, Auburn, AL $637.50 69-76-80=225
Nick Cassini, Atlanta, GA $637.50 73-72-80=225
Mitch Adams, Raleigh, NC $607.50 76-72-78=226
Tim Pemberton, Charlottesville, VA $607.50 76-71-79=226
Cory Kaufman, Louisville, KY $590 74-72-81=227