Masters' Division: Title goes to Mikesh

The Masters’ Division has a new champion after six years.

The former champ, Ron Clayton of Sarasota, Florida, was not among the entries in this year’s Resorters Golf Tournament due to a scheduling conflict, which left the door open for any comers.

George Mikesh of Scottsdale, Arizona claimed the prize Saturday, edging out Alexandria’s own Tom Eidsvold 1-up in a marathon 20-hole battle.

Neither golfer had ever won the title before, and both were hungry for the crown.

Eidsvold was the first to gain ground in this contest, winning the second hole on a par after the pair shared the opener.

Mikesh, however, rebounded quickly to win Nos. 3 and 4, with the second win coming on his first of two birdies for the match.

Eidsvold balanced the match on No. 6 as he countered with a birdie of his own, then won 7 and 8 on pars to go 2-up.

The Scottsdale golfer cut the lead to one as he parred No. 6 and the two halved No. 10 on the back nine before Eidsvold won 11 on a par, pushing his lead to 2-up.

Again Mikesh rallied, cutting the lead to one as he won No. 14 on a par, but Eidsvold continued to push, staking claim to the 15th hole on a par.

But Mikesh evened the match with a birdie and a par on the ensuing holes, and after both golfers notched pars on the 18th, the match went into extra play.

Heading back onto the front nine, both golfers shot an even par to stay tied after No. 1, but Mikesh closed the match out on No. 2 as his opponent bogeyed the hole, leaving him with a 1-up win in 20 holes.

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, resorters, golf, tournament, masters, division, mikesh