Stead, Hahn team win tourney

For the second year in a row, the Cleveland Golf Pro-Scratch at Angel Park Golf Club was decided on the first sudden-death playoff hole. The two-person team made up of professional David Stead and amateur John Hahn edged out three other teams after their two tournament rounds of 63 on July 12 and 13 left them tied with Joel Kijowski and Clayton Yadda (64-67), Mike Ruiz and James Logeman (65-66) and Jake Ellison and John Busby (67-64).

On the first playoff hole, Hahn bombed his drive to within 40 yards of the green. He pitched up to 8 feet, and, after watching Stead's birdie attempt burn the edge of the hole, Hahn calmly rolled in his birdie putt to seal the victory.

"We both had it going in the first round," said Stead, who played alongside Hahn the day before on the Palm Course. "We each made an eagle on the back nine and opened with a solid 63 that put us in the top position. We played well the second day to post a 68 and John came through big time. "

For their efforts, Stead earned $1,400 in cash and Hahn earned $750 in Angel Park gift certificates. The 2009 Cleveland Golf Pro-Scratch is a two-person better ball with each team comprised of one professional and one "scratch" amateur competing for a total prize purse of more than $15,000.

This event draws teams of golf professionals and amateurs from all over the country as teams travel from California, Arizona, Washington and as far away as Hawaii and Florida to compete. Notable local pros such as Robert Gamez, Jeremy Anderson and Ed Fryatt have also played in the past.

The title sponsor of the event is Cleveland Golf, the host resort is the Bellagio and other presenting sponsors included Club Car, Grey Goose, and Southern Wine and Spirits.

Following the first round of play, the Cloud Nine Derby Shoot kicked off. The field is limited to the top 15 teams that prepaid at registration prior to the first round.

This fun-filled "event within the event" is part of local lore as the 1996 Cloud Nine Derby featured an exciting hole-in-one by local touring professional Robert Gamez on the first hole. This year the team of Ruiz and Logeman won the event and the $600 first-prize derby fund.

For more information on the Cleveland Golf Pro-Scratch or Angel Park Golf Club, call 254-4653, visit www.angelpark.com or search Angel Park Golf Club on Facebook.