SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP – This time, “It’s not over until it’s over,” was more than just a cliché.
It really fit as probably the best way to describe Brian Kuhlman’s 1-up, 20-holes victory over Ian Haidle in the Championship Flight title match in the Lima City Men’s Golf Championship on Sunday at the Shawnee Country Club.
Kuhlman, a first-time winner, looked like he was ready to take a few more swings, turn in his match score and wait for the trophy presentation ceremony when he was three holes up with four to play.
But that all changed when Haidle dropped a 20-foot putt for a birdie to win No. 15, followed that with an eagle to win No. 16 and took No. 17 with a par when Kuhlman three-putted for a bogey.
Both golfers parred No. 18 and both bogeyed the first extra holes before Kuhlman won it with a bogey on the second playoff hole.
“When I was up three I was thinking I was in a really good position, that pars coming in have got it. But Ian decided differently, that he was going to throw a birdie on me, he was going to throw an eagle on me,” Kuhlman said.
“He put on a hell of a show and it was fun,” he said.
Haidle played two extra-holes matches on Sunday. His semifinal 1-up victory over two-time champion Phil Trueblood went 19 holes.
Haidle said, “I knew time was short. I didn’t have very many holes to go.
“I made a putt I was lucky to make (at No. 15). I didn’t think I hit it well enough. I just caught fire. And I went from there. Brian put up a hell of a fight and he’s a well-deserving champion.”
Kuhlman, of Ottawa, has played in this tournament only the last two years after signing up for a membership at Hidden Creek Golf Club.
He called winning it the biggest victory of his golf career.
“This is my best win ever. This is a prestigious tournament. I’ve been following this tournament forever,” Kuhlman said. “When I decided to join Hidden Creek and Bluffton it was so I could play in this tournament. And I’m glad I did. This is my best win without a doubt It was a great field.”
His other notable wins include last year’s East of Chicago tournament, two Putnam County Amateur championships and several Pike Run club championships. He also was the low qualifier in the 2015 Lima City Men’s Golf Championship.
“The strength of my game is I’m pretty solid tee to green and I’m a pretty solid putter. My downfall is my short game and it kind of showed up today. I hit a lot of greens and I had a lot of two putts. I played pretty solid all day,” Kuhlman said.
Six other flight championships were decided on Sunday.
B.J. McPheron won the First Flight 2-and-1 over Bryan Joseph. Kirk Slusher was the Second Flight winner, 1-up over Michael Sarno, and Jim Sherrick defeated Mitch Hasting 1-up to win the Third Flight.
Todd Stump won the Senior Championship title 1-up over Paul Masters. Mike Walsh won 6-and-4 over Rob Mitchell in the Senior Open Flight. And after two runner-up finishes, Willie McGuire won the Super Senior Flight 1-up in 20 holes over Jim Odenweller.
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