Sims comes from six back to claim Spring Creek Classic

Gordonsville, VA- Belmont Hills, Bermuda native Michael Sims fired a 6-under-par 66 on a Spring Creek course that was set up extremely difficult on Friday to claim a one shot victory over Bluffton, SC resident Cory Kaufman in the Tarheel Tour’s Spring Creek Classic.

On a day where only 15 of the 58 players making the cut broke par and the scoring average was 73.43, the former University of Rhode Island standout made seven birdies against just one bogey to share the low round of the day with Kaufman. The 29-year old Sims, who plays out of Sea Island, GA, birdied the final hole in the fourth to last group to set the target score of 11-under-par that none of the overnight leaders were able to match. “When I got to 10-under for the tournament through 16 today, I figured I was in it, but I expected to be one or two back. Then I saw the leader board after 17 and realized I was tied for the lead. I expected someone in the last group to get it to 12 or 13-under but it just didn’t happen.” said Sims. The $20,000 check moves Sims well up the money list with $23,525 for the season in just four events. Kaufman, who was playing two groups in front of Sims and now resides in Bluffton, SC, made a furious back nine-charge birdieing five of six holes from the12th through the17th to reach 10-under, but could only manage a par at the last to finish with a 66. For Kaufman, this marks his fourth top-five finish of the season in just seven events on the Tarheel Tour. He collected $11,000 for his runner-up finish.

The Manor Classic runner-up Scott Weatherly and former ACC Individual Champion Hank Kim finished in a tie for third at 9-under-par and each collected $6,900 for their efforts. Weatherly, who hails from Fort Payne, AL has proven to be one of the most consistent players on the Tarheel Tour this year recording six top-tens in eight starts. Sandersville, GA native David Robinson fired a final round 2-under-par 70 to finish in a tie for fifth with Brian Duncan, William McGirt and 36-hole leader Jesse Smith. The Rivertowne and Northstone Open champion maintained the lead on the money list with $59,025 for the season.

The Tarheel Tour would like to thank Spring Creek Golf Club Director of Golf Jack Snyder, Head Professional Kevin Haney, and Golf Course Superintendent Brian Vincel for a fabulous week on a spotless golf course for the second consecutive year. The Tarheel Tour looks forward to returning to Spring Creek in the future for more great events.

Next week the Tarheel Tour makes its final trip to the state of Virginia in 2008 at the Pete Dye Classic in Radford, VA. The Pete Dye Virginia Tech course measures 7,665 yards and will be the longest course in Tarheel Tour history. Look for updates next week on www.tarheeltour.com as the event begins on Tuesday, June 24.

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