Buddy Allen fires final-round 67 to post Normandie Amateur upset
story by Bill Burton/photo courtesy of Jim Healey
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While most observers were watching the final grouping of the 21st
Normandie Amateur, 39-year-old Buddy Allen, playing one group in front of Skip Berkmeyer, John Kelly and Darren Lundgren, was shooting lights out.
Allen, a Fox Run golfer from Pevely, Mo ., shot a final round 4-under 67 for a 3-under 139 total at Normandie Golf Club. The event was sponsored by Dent Wizard and conducted by the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association.
Berkmeyer, the event’s defending champion and first-round leader, posted 69-72-141 for second place. Kelly, shot a final-round 72 to finish third at 142. Kelly lost any chance to win when his drive at the 246-yard No. 18 hooked out of bounds.
Lundgren (71-73-144), a runner-up in the 2006 Normandie Amateur, shared fourth this year with Craig Hardcastle (73-71-144) and Justin Bryant (73-71-144).
A self-taught golfer, the win was Allen’s first significant competitive title. After bogeying the first hole of the day, Allen rallied with a front-nine 35. He added four birdies in his final six holes to win.
Berkmeyer said he figured the final group had opportunities to distance themselves from the field, but didn’t take advantage. “I felt like our group had the opportunity to move away from the pack in the first nine holes, but we didn’t play that well. There was something like 14 golfers within four shots of the lead, so you have to assume someone is going to get hot among that group. We let everyone at 73 or better back in.”
“I can’t even tell you much about my round,” Allen said. “I was just focused on hitting solid shots. I was amazed at how long all of these guys were around me. John Kelly just kills the ball. But I had to just concentrate on my style.”
As it turned out, the first player listed on the alphabetically arranged scoreboard stepped to the top of the leaderboard.