(MSGA release)
WHITEFISH – JimBob Coleman and Robb Bergeson traveled almost 500 miles to do what they’ve done so many times before back at home in Billings – battle on the golf course. This time, Coleman got the last laugh.
Coleman overcame a two-shot deficit in the final round of the 32nd Montana State Mid-Amateur Championship to win by one shot over Bergeson at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club’s South Course.
Coleman, a fixture atop amateur golf leaderboards, broke through for his first state title as an amateur. He finished with a one-under-par round of 70, which tied for the low round of the day and tallied 210 (-3) for the three-day event.
Coleman pulled even with Bergeson, who led after the first and second rounds of play, on the 15th hole as he birdied the 195-yard par three, with Bergeson making par. Both players made par on the 16th and Bergeson bogeyed the 17th, while Coleman parred. Both players parred the 18th as Coleman wrapped up the victory with a three-foot putt on the 18th hole.
Bergeson closed with 73 after a 69-69 start to finish second with a 211 total (-2). Mark Mance, the 2016 Mid-Am Champion finished third at 214 with a final round of even-par 71. Mance won the Joe Tomes Trophy as the low player age 50 and over.
Bennett MacIntyre of Helena was the only other player besides Coleman who broke par on the final round as he closed with 70 and 215 overall for fourth place. Logan Lindholm of Kalispell was fifth at 217, Jason Winkler, also of Kalispell was sixth at 218.
Jerry Pearsall of Billings and Chris Goldan of Bozeman tied for seventh at 219. Shawn Tucker of Whitefish finished ninth at his home course at 220. Ken Bush rounded out the top 10 at 221.
Coleman and Bergeson not only finished one, two respectively, and also claimed the Gene Cook Cup for the low two finishers from the same club. Both players play at Yellowstone Country Club in Billings.
The tournament is open to players age 25 and above with a handicap index maximum of 15.
Complete results can be found here.
The 2019 Mid-Amateur Championship will be hosted at The Briarwood Golf Club in Billings.
