Atlanta native Keller Harper, a sophomore at Furman University, shot 4-under 68 on Monday to win the Open Qualifier for the Dogwood Invitational at the historic Druid Hills Golf Club.
There were ten playoff spots available through the open qualifier.
Qualifying with a 69 were: Patrick Bridges, a senior at Wofford University; Alex Green, a redshirt freshman at the University of Alabama.
Qualifying with a 70 were: Taehyung Kim, a graduate of Columbus State; Jake Ludwick, a sophomore at Stetson University; and Kevin Burns, a sophomore at East Tennessee State.
There was a five-man playoff for the final four spots among those who tied at 71. Those spots went to Hunter Fry, a sophomore at USC-Upstate; Joseph Jarrard, a senior at North Georgia University; Alejandro Soto, a sophomore at Colgate; and Mark Johnson.
The alternate spot went to Ryan Stachler, a junior at the University of South Carolina.
DHGC member McCabe birdies final hole to earn spot in Dogwood
Jim McCabe knew he needed a birdie on the last hole to avoid a playoff and came through with a clutch bunker shot. It earned him the qualifying spot for the Dogwood Invitational reserved for members of the Druid Hills Golf Club.
The Atlanta attorney uncharacteristically three-putted the 17th hole and knew he needed to make a four on the par-5 18th hole. He cranked a good drive, but his 275-yard 3-wood landed near the lip of the greenside bunker. McCabe took a mighty swing and the ball popped straight up and landed about three feet from the flag. He calmly rolled in the putt for a birdie, giving him a 72 and putting him in the field for the first time.
“I’ve been trying the qualify,” McCabe said, remembering how he shot 73 a year ago and missed by a shot. “It’s going to be fun to be in the tournament and represent the club.”
McCabe owns and operates his own law firm, the McCabe Law Firm.
Dogwood Tournament week continues on Tuesday with the Dogwood Am-Am. The 72-hole competition begins on Wednesday.
Find out more at www.thedogwood.com as well as review pairings and tee times.
Follow tournament updates on Facebook via:
http://www.facebook.com/TheDogwoodInvitational
