Tilley Captures 48th MGA/Canon "IKE" Stroke Play Championship

Jericho, N.Y.- University of Virginia golf team member Brad Tilley won his first MGA title in dramatic fashion, as the only player under par in the 48th MGA/Canon “IKE” Stroke Play Championship. This year the MGA welcomed its new sponsor, Canon, the beginning of what the MGA believes will be a long and successful relationship.

Twenty-year-old Tilley of Sleepy Hollow, put himself in position after the second round by following up his first round one-under-par 71 with another 71 (36 – 35) to give himself the second round lead. First round leaders Blumenfeld and Mazzella, followed their opening round 69’s with rounds of 80 and 81 respectively, to open the door for Tilley’s lead. Three-time Ike champion Jerry Courville Jr. also put himself in position with a second round 74, which got him into the final group with Tilley. Starting on the 10th tee, Tilley began his final round strong, with birdies on two of the first three holes. With five holes to play, Tilley had a five shot lead over Jerry Courville Jr., but he faced trouble on his 15th hole when his tee shot on the par three fell within four feet from a water hazard on the right for the third consecutive round. Courville birdied two of the final five holes to cut the lead to two shots with two to play, but Tilley held on to finish with two pars and win by two. Tilley was able to learn from his experience at a Maxfli AJGA tournament he played in at Rockaway Hunt Club, where he lost a major lead in the final round.

Tilley’s goal this week was to “shoot par or better every round, and to beat old man par, as they say.” He reached that goal for the tournament with a total of 214 (71-71-72) and three solid rounds. Tilley believed he “had the potential to win this tournament if his game was there this week,” and he did win the championship despite tendonitis in his left hand that he had to overcome on the final day. He plans to spend the rest of the summer playing in major amateur championships such as the Southern and Eastern Amateurs, and, if he can qualify next month, the U.S. Amateur. Tilley will also be returning to the area for the Met Amateur at Somerset Hills in Bernardsville, NJ.

John Bauman and Jerry Courville of Shorehaven returned this year to successfully defend their Ike Team Championship title, which is awarded to the two players from the same club who have the lowest 54-hole combined score. Bauman and Courville finished strong with a 69 (34 – 35) and 72 (36 – 36) respectively in their final rounds to shoot a combined 437 and beat Plainfield’s total of 444. A Shorehaven team has won the Ike Team Championship for a record seventh time, with a Courville (Jerry Jr. or his father) being part of each winning team.