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THE TITLEISTS

—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota owner Casey Johnson (far left) stands with city tournament champions Peg Christensen (women’s senior), Kasey Faiferlick (women’s open), Eddie Doyle (men’s open) and Terry Miller (men’s senior) at the Fort Dodge Country Club Sunday night. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Eddie Doyle was patient, yet persistent.

After all, in golf, both are prerequisites.

Years of finishing in the Top-10 at the Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota city tournament — presented by The Messenger — finally led to a long-awaited men’s open division title for Doyle on Sunday. The 2014 St. Edmond graduate and current University of Tampa team member prevailed by four strokes over former champion Austin Morrow as a steamy day gave way to a calm evening at the Fort Dodge Country Club.

The dominance of Kelsey Faiferlick, Terry Miller and Peg Christensen continued, as all three gold-medal veterans joined Doyle in the winner’s circle for what has become a familiar post-tourney scene. Faiferlick extended her record to seven consecutive women’s open division titles, while Miller prevailed on the men’s senior side for the sixth time in eight years. Christensen, meanwhile, repeated in the women’s senior bracket.

Doyle finished at even-par 178 for the 45-hole event — a solid if not spectacular performance that was more than good enough in the end as the other contenders fell by the wayside. Morrow, fellow St. Edmond graduate Robert Flattery and Ryan Reeder were all within relative striking distance in the championship nine’s final foursome, but staying true to the variation on Sunday’s theme, no one was able to break par and throw a serious scare into Doyle’s lead.

”It feels good to finally get one,” Doyle smiled. ”After being second here (to Lucas Peed a year ago), and second in the (Fort Dodge) Am (in 2016), and second in Gowrie, and second at nationals (as a team member for NJCAA champion Kirkwood), and second all the way back to high school (with the Gaels) — it feels like a long time coming.

”I didn’t play my best, but that’s golf. Sometimes, you play great and it’s not enough. Sometimes, (the window of opportunity) opens wide even when you struggle a little. You just keep plugging away and do what you can do with your own game. Fortunately, that got the job done this time around.”

Doyle bogeyed three consecutive holes early, but bounced back with three straight birdies and stayed right around level par the rest of the way on Sunday afternoon. It was more of the same in the championship round; Doyle did give two strokes back to par after shooting one-under at both Lakeside and the FDCC during regulation play, but he still held his ground.

”It’s kind of a relief,” the 21-year-old Doyle admitted. ”I can’t even remember how many times I’ve been second, or third, or sixth, eighth or whatever (in this tournament) — since my early high school years. But this is always a tough field; someone has just played better, which is a credit to the way the game is played here (locally).”

Morrow (70-73-39–182) was a single shot ahead of Flattery and Reeder. Flattery, a member of the DMACC golf team, went 70-77-36–183. Reeder’s three-under par 68 — by far the best score of the day — at the FDCC put him directly in contention before he settled for a third-place tie with Flattery. Doyle’s younger brother, Charlie, was fifth at 189.

Faiferlick’s reign continued thanks to a 78-77–155 that left her five strokes clear of runner-up Payton Christy (81-79–160). Birdies at holes 3 and 5 at Lakeside on Sunday — a much better start than the early struggles at the FDCC the day before — had the former Park University golfer well on her way.

”I played a little better (than on Saturday), and those two early birdies obviously helped,” Faiferlick said. ”This means a lot. I don’t take any of it for granted; I’m well aware of how many great players before me (have been dethroned), so to win seven in a row is a very rewarding feeling.

”More than anything, though, I just have a lot of fun playing in this (Faiferlick is regularly paired with her mother, Deann). Both courses are outstanding and the conditions were great. I really enjoy this tournament year after year, which is more important (than winning).”

The 63-year-old Miller has made a habit of closing strong in the evening hours and shaking off the rest of the senior field, and Sunday was no exception. He fired a one-under par 34 to jump ahead of close friend Dean Wendell and keep his trophy grip intact.

Miller’s two-under 176 total was the best in the entire tourney. Wendell (178), Dave Hanson (179) and Darron Baker (180) were close behind.

”I’ve become a grinder in my old age,” Miller said. ”I really had a hard time in my (second round) on (Sunday afternoon); the course was playing difficult, and the greens got fast and crusty in the heat and wind.

”Then I got refocused (for the championship nine) and back on track for whatever reason. That’s golf. You just never know.”

Miller, who now has senior-division championships in 2010, ’12, ’13, ’15 and ’17 to his credit, said, ”it was so enjoyable to play with Dean, who I’ve known for a very long time, and at two courses that are nothing short of incredible.”

”Both (course) staffs deserve a tremendous amount of credit. I also want to thank Fort Dodge Ford and The Messenger for having this tournament — we’re very fortunate to enjoy an event so many people take a great deal of pride in hosting.”

Christensen’s career-best round couldn’t have come at a better time. The defending women’s senior champ pulled away from Saturday co-leader Diane Krebs to win comfortably thanks to a 76 at Lakeside.

”I’ve had some 78s and 79s, but this is (the lowest score) I’ve ever had,” Christensen said. ”I just had everything working. It was one of those days. To be able to do it in a tournament — that’s something I’ll never forget.

”It’s fun to work hard at your game and have it all come together like this.”

Christensen added, ”my only regret is that more women don’t play in (the city tournament). I’d really like to see them get involved (in the years to come), because I know they’re out there and this is such an outstanding event at two terrific golf courses.”

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