Peterson and O’Donnell Defend Respective Men’s Stroke Play Titles

CRESWELL, ORE. (Sunday, August 15, 2010) -  With a fourth victory in as many years in the Senior Division, they might as well rechristen Emerald Valley as O'Donnell Valley as Pat O'Donnell of Happy Valley, Ore. walked away with another title at the Oregon Men's Stroke Play Championship.

Playing the course at 6,553-yards, the rest of the senior field hardly put up a fight with the exception of three-time champion Chris Maletis of Portland, Ore.  The nationally ranked senior came into the final round 7-strokes behind O'Donnell but was able to close the gap to just 3-strokes with 8 holes left to play.

"I made a couple errors today," noted O'Donnell.  I had errant shots on the 3rd and 4th hole and just was not playing as well as I expected.  After I made the turn, I focused a little more and was able to play the rest of my round at even par.

"The course just seems to fit me," he added.  "Many of the holes play left to right which suits my game."

Maletis commended his fellow competitor stating, "it's just amazing watching him play the course.  If you had to draw a line to show the way to play a hole, he'd hit that line most of the time."

Despite the admirable early challenge by Maletis, O'Donnell played the last four holes at 1-under par while Maletis was 2-over, making it clear who would be the victor.

The home-field advantage was clearly evident in the Open Division as several members of the number-3 ranked Oregon Ducks Men's Golf Team were in contention, led by Jack Dukeminier of Eugene, Ore. and including Robbie Ziegler of Canby, Ore. and Isaiah Telles of  Tualatin, Ore.  But the battle was far more tenuous than in the Senior Division. Dukeminier started the day in fine fashion, widening his 36-hole lead over defending champion Paul Peterson of Salem, Ore. to 6-strokes after birdies on two of the first three holes in the final round.

"I got off to a great start," said Dukeminier.  "I bogeyed some hard holes...it doesn't take much out here. The course is tough. The greens are in perfect shape; they're firm and playing fast.  Miss a shot and your gonna make bogey."

The wheels seemingly began to fall off, as he bogeyed four of the next six holes.  Peterson on the other hand caught fire with three successive birdies to close out the opening nine.  With nine holes left to play, they were even with each other.

A costly double bogey by Dukeminier on the par-3 11th gave Peterson all the advantage he would need as he went on to defend his title shooting 72-71-70--213.

Peterson noted, "That front nine was pretty stressful. To come back and win by two when I was six down was definintely good for me.  Coming into the week I told my dad that if I just played my game I felt I could get another victory. Two to three years ago the slow start would have bothered me, but with maturing and playing college golf you learn to stay patient.  You know there are some bogeys out there for them and so you just try to grind it out.  I was able to get on a momentum builder."

Like O'Donnell, the course definitely suits him.  He was in a playoff for the title in 2007, losing on the fourth sudden-death playoff hole to Brooks Newsom. The following year he finished in a tie for fifth before winning last year.

"This course is hard," Peterson added.  "Its not an easy golf course and it will separate the good players from the bad players.  I'm not one that goes out and shoots stupid low numbers, but I don't make a whole lot of mistakes. So this course is good for me cause it really levels the field.  I just feel comfortable out here."

Gaston de la Torre of Brush Prairie, Wash., a junior at New Mexico State Aggies team finished alone in 3rd place followed by Ziegler and Telles.