With eight players representing 13 years worth of Past Champions, in addition to the other 90 club champions, the Tournament of Champions could have been most anyone’s win. Chris Clemens of Beech Grove prevailed after the contest came down to the last putt on the last hole.

Chris Clemens

Beginning the second round there were 15 of the 98 competitors all within three-shots of the leaders from Round One, and it became apparent early on this was a tough competition when all in the final foursome birdied the first hole. Clemens took the lead on the 8^th hole with birdie, to go to 4-under. Not able to capitalize on his huge drives; Clemens could not sink another birdie putt until 16 to go to 5-under. A three-putt bogey on 17 dropped him back to 4-under and opened the door for Randy Nichols of Connersville.

Nichols' birdie putt on #18

Carding birdies on 15, 16 and 18, after several missed putts on the middle holes, Nichols 20 footer on 18 for birdie put the pressure on Clemens 5-foot par putt. Was he worried, no, but certainly focused. “I always make those,” stated Clemens at the end of the round. “Those are the putts I always make.” After some noise distractions, Clemens sank the putt and narrowly avoided a playoff against Nichols.

When congratulated on his play, Nichols, in his usual unassuming way simply stated, “I played pretty good at the end.” He began the day at 3-under, and ended the day at 3-under, after a rough ride in the middle dropping back to even par on #12. Nichols carded two birdies on the front and three on the back nine, with a double-bogey on #5 ultimately costing him the title.

Finishing in third place was Ted Smith of Wilkinson with 140 total. Beginning at even par, Smith shot 69 to finish at 2 better than par. Smith had his tournament total to 3-under at one time, but bogeys on holes 10 and 11 canceled out two of the four birdies he made in the final round. “This is the best I have ever played in this event, and I have been playing in it for about 15 years.” He attributed his success to perfect playing conditions paired with the perfect condition of Fox Prairie Golf Course.

Joe Mahurin, playing out of Prairie View GC, toggled between 2-under and 3-under for most of the day, and had a good look at the title until bogeys on holes 16 and 18 took him out of contention. He finished tied for fourth with Mike Salmon of Pottawattomie GC with 1 better than par for the tournament.

Clemens now joins an elite list of the twice being Champion of Champions, with a life exemption to the tournament.

Note: Past Champions competing in the 2007 Tournament of Champions:

Chris Clemens – 2007, 2004

Randy Nichols – 1982, 1990, 1992, 2002

Jerry Nelson – 1976, 1980, 1989

Dave Vlassic – 2006

Mike Cline – 1998

Ted Kaperak – 2005

Jeff Todd – 1986

The first round of the Tournament of Champions, held at Fox Prairie GC in Noblesville, brought out the best in the best amateur golfers in Indiana.

Chris Clemens, Beech Grove, was the first to post a 3-under 68 on the 6700 yard, par 71 Fox Prairie. Stating that he had left “a lot of shots out there,” Clemens was the first to predict that his 68 would not stand up. Shortly afterwards, Randy Nichols of Connersville posted his round of 68.

Entrants in the Tournament of Champions must be the men's club champion of an IGA-PGA member club between 2002-2006, or be a past champion of the IGA Tournament of Champions. Clemens and Nichols both hold prior Tournament of Champions titles. Clemens in 2004 and Nichols in 1982, 1990, 1992 and 2002.

Low scores can be expected again for the second round on Saturday. Declaring the greens to be “perfect” and getting some roll from the firm fairways, Clemens also predicts more low scores tomorrow. Tied for third place are Joe Mahurin, Prairie View champion and Josh Baldwin, Forest Park champion with scores of 69. Chad Seibert, Marty Rifkin, Mark Bowser and Dan Baker are tied for fifth.