DALTON - Following a six-hole playoff, Hayes Brown of Atlanta became the latest to etch his name on The Dick Franklin Trophy and claim the Georgia Mid-Amateur Championship! The 44th playing took place Oct. 3-5 at Dalton Golf and Country Club.
Brown began the final round tied for first at 2-under-par with Rusty Mosley of Vidalia and Bill Dukes of Atlanta. Two early bogeys for Brown on the par-5 4th and par-5 6th holes pushed him down the leaderboard, but he rallied with birdies on the par-4 5th and par-3 9th to get back into contention and take a one shot lead heading into the back nine.
Adversity followed, however, with back-to-back bogeys on the par-4 12th and par-5 13th saw Brown fall to even par for the championship trailing Andy Blanton of Thomasville by two shots. After a birdie on the drivable par-4 15th, Blanton made pars on his final three holes to post 2-under (75-70-69) for the championship. While Blanton was finishing his round, Brown was making a charge.
Brown found the left greenside bunker on the 15th hole and hit the flag on his second shot to setup an easy birdie, and he followed with another birdie on the tough par-3 16th to get back to 2-under-par overall with two holes remaining. Brown was unable to muster another birdie and he and Blanton headed to the par-4 18th for the first playoff hole.
Both players made pars on the first three playoff holes (18, 10, 18) before tying with birdies on the par-5 10th for their fourth playoff hole. Dueling pars on the fifth playoff hole (18) followed before the duo headed to the par-3 9th.
Blanton hit the green on his attempt but was left with a fast, downhill putt to a right front hole location. Brown came up short in the bunker leaving a tough shot off a downhill lie. Blanton raced his birdie attempt by and Brown was left with an eight-footer above the hole to put pressure on Blanton.
Luckily for Brown, he was able to draw on his experience on the 9th from earlier in the day having a similar line on his putt giving him confidence in his read.
Brown stepped up and drained his putt, and Blanton's attempt did not find the bottom of the hole giving Brown the victory in a hard-fought battle. For Brown, an Atlanta native, the win marked his first GSGA title.
Full results from the championship can be found below along with photos and an interview with Brown following his win!
Hayes Brown Interview