...Carolina Golf News Line                          Rock Hill Open

ROOKIE HAMILTON CAPTURES FIRST WIN

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Alex Hamilton of Aiken, SC, a Tarheel Tour rookie, captured his first pro title at the Tarheel Tour’s Rock Hill Open on Thursday.
Hamilton, who turned pro last fall after a collegiate career at the University of South Carolina, began the final round one shot behind leader David Sanchez. Hamilton would go out in 34 before heading to the demanding final nine at Rock Hill CC. Pars on 10 and 11 brought Hamilton to the daunting par-3 12th hole where he would walk away with a potential round killing double bogey.
“I didn’t hit it out of bounds or in the water. I just hit a bad bunker shot and it got worse from there,” said the former Gamecock just before cheering on his team in the NIT quarterfinals.
The double bogey lit a fire in Hamilton as he headed to the par-5 13th. A wedge shot to 3 feet gave him the birdie he needed to get back on track.
“I would say the birdie at 13 was the turning point because I was able to quickly forget about the double at 12 and move on from there.”
Move on he did indeed. Hamilton backed up his birdie at 13 with birdies at 14, 16, 17, and 18 to close with a back nine 31 and a final round of 67. His two day total of 8-under par 136 was good enough to edge Charlottesville, VA’s Tim Pemberton by one shot in the rain shortened event.
“I’m pretty excited to win in just my fourth professional event. I’m looking forward to playing the Tarheel Tour in 2006 and hoping to be able to build on this.”
Pemberton, who collected $6,000 for his runner-up finish, carded 8 birdies in his final round to go with 3 bogies. He jockeyed himself into a potential playoff with birdies on 14, 15, 16, and 18, but in the end fell just one shot shy of Hamilton.
Tying for third at 5-under par 139 was Matt Cannon, 2005 Tarheel Tour Money Winner David Sanchez, and former Clemson “All-American” Gregg Jones. All three players earned $3200 for their efforts.
Sixth place was shared by Charleston’s Jay McLuen, Greensboro’s Ryan Gioffre, and Greenville, SC’s William McGirt. All three players wound up at 140 and earned $2008.33.
The tour would like to thank John Hughes and his staff for hosting such a successful tournament. The tour would also like to thank Bill Ashley and his crew for their work in preparing the golf course after a wet beginning.
The tour will take two weeks off before heading north of Charlotte for the Verdict Ridge Classic at Verdict Ridge Golf Club.
For more information, visit www.tarheeltour.com.

Tarheel Professional Tour
Rock Hill Open
Final Round Results
Rock Hill Country Club
Par 72 – 6,700 yards

Alex Hamilton, Aiken, SC $11,000 69-67=136
Tim Pemberton, Charlottesville, VA $6,000 70-67=137
Matt Cannon, Huntersville, NC $3,200 69-70=139
David Sanchez, Pinehurst, NC $3,200 68-71=139
Gregg Jones, Florence, SC $3,200 71-68=139
Jay McLuen, Charleston, SC $2,008.33 70-70=140
Ryan Gioffre, Greensboro, NC $2,008.33 70-70=140
William McGirt, Greenville, SC $2,008.33 69-71=140
John McAllister, Spartanburg, SC $1,525 73-68=141 
Ben Case, Charlotte, NC $1,525 72-69=141
Stewart Moore, Charlotte, NC $1,525 70-71=141
Chris Mundorf, Greensboro, NC $1,525 73-68=141
Paul Reed, England $1,525 69-72=141
Frank Adams III, Laurinburg, NC $1,112.50 69-73=142
Joel Hendry, Hilton Head Isl., SC $1,112.50 70-72=142
Jonathan Jenkins, Jonesboro, GA $1,112.50 72-70=142
Rich Mudd, Charleston, SC $1,112.50 74-68=142
Kevin Taylor, Mocksville, NC $890 72-71=143
David Robinson, Sandersville, GA $890 73-70=143
David Seawell, Columbia, SC $890 73-70=143
Mayson Petty, Tuscaloosa, AL $890 70-73=143
Tim Simpson, Atlanta, GA $890 75-68=143
Jason Martin, Lenior, NC $762.50 69-75=144
Fernando Mechereffe, Charlotte, NC $762.50 70-74=144
John Tillery, Madison, GA $687.50 75-70=145
Jonathan Hill, Greenville, NC $687.50 75-70=145
Erik Herberth, Cornelius, NC $687.50 74-71=145
Austin Meyer, Louisville, KY $687.50 71-74=145
Braxton Wynns, Clayton, NC $620 74-72=146
David Siegel, Matthews, NC $620 71-75=146