The second annual JDP Invitational was a little more dramatic than the first, with Jeremy Peters edging out Sean Walsh on the final hole to claim the green candle by one stroke.
The title was undecided until the final hole Friday at Casablanca golf club in Mesquite, Nevada, where “El Capitan” was tied with “the Scribe” as they stood on the 18th tee.
“It was pretty cool,” said Jeremy “The Scribe” Peters. “After three days of golf, for it all to come to one hole was exciting and proved the net format of the event worked as intended.”
Sean “El Capitan” Walsh held honors and hit first, his driver shot sailing right and clearing a fairway bunker on its way to the desert brush.
“It was the first driver I lost to the right all week,” Walsh said.
Peters hit a 4-hybrid down the center of the fairway of the par-4. Walsh couldn’t find his tee shot and dropped with a one-stroke penalty that ultimately would be the difference. Walsh two-putted for a bogey and Peters two-putted for a par that sealed a one-shot victory. Peters, a 6-handicap, shot net scores of 76-72-77 to finish at 225.
“My last putt was about a five-footer,” Peters said. “I wasn’t sure I would make it, so I was relieved to see it roll into the center of the hole. Sean and I have a long history of matches being decided by one stroke, so I wasn’t surprised it came down to the last putt.”
Defending champion John “Ahab” Peters finished in a tie for third with Laura “Lil’ L’Dub” Walsh, who posted some big numbers early in the final round and battled back into contention. John was only one shot behind Jeremy when he took a crippling quadruple bogie on the par-3 14th hole, the same hole Laura made a birdie to gain five strokes.
Jeremy opened the door for everyone when he double-bogied the par-5 15th. A perfect drive led to a wayward second shot that splashed into a water hazard. Sean birdied the same hole for a three-shot swing that tied him with Jeremy overall. The two leaders parred the 16th and both made three-putt bogies on the 17th.
Later, the green candle was passed from John to Jeremy. The candle was lit to burn John’s Mark of “Pappy” from the top of the candle. Jeremy then carved his mark of “JJ” into the candle. Pictures can be seen below, along with complete scores.
Statistical note: Jeremy’s net total of 225 bettered John’s score of 240 the previous year by 15 shots, but the courses used in the second installment of the event were much easier than the ones used the first year.
Final net scores:
Jeremy Peters – 76-72-77– 225
Sean Walsh – 79-72-75– 226
John Peters – 79-71-79– 230
Laura Walsh – 76-74-79– 230
Debbie Peters – 76-81-82– 239
