Reifers makes quick start to pro career
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2006 Chattanooga Classic | Wrap | 26 Jun 2006
In one of the quickest starts to a professional career in recent times, 22-year-old Kyle Reifers today won the Nationwide Tour’s Chattanooga Classic when he produced a last round of 61, then added yet another birdie at the first playoff hole to beat Brandt Snedeker. Reifers had Monday qualified to play in the event just two weeks after turning professional.
Twelve months ago almost to the day, the former Walker Cup star and Wake Forest graduate was winning the Northeast Amateur and when this week comes around again in twelve months time it could well be that he is challenging for an event at an even higher level, so impressive was he today. Reifer comes from golfing stock with his father Randy having played collegiate golf at De Pauw University and was inducted into the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame.
On a golf course conducive to low scoring, Reifers came from seven shots off the lead, which Boo Weekly had established leading into the final day, to catch, then pass all but Snedeker in regulation play. Reifers birdied five of his first six holes today and five of his last six holes. He then went on to hole a fifteen footer at the first extra hole to edge out Snedeker who was also looking for his first Nationwide Tour win. 25-year-old Snedeker had eagled the last to take the event into extra time, which was extended due to a weather delay called after the completion of the regulation 72 holes.
Australian Andrew Buckle looking for his second Nationwide Tour win of the season, appeared set to do just that when he reeled off nine birdies himself in the first fifteen holes and with a reachable par five to finish his chances looked good. Buckle bogeyed the 17th then failed to make birdie at the last and so was forced to settle for a share of third place with Boo Weekly.
Anthony Painter finally showed some form when 8th, he too is struggling for status on the Nationwide Tour. Jarrod Lyle was 12th, Tim Wilkinson 35th, Scott Hend, Scott Gardiner, Gavin Coles and Steve Collins were 42nd, while Nick Flanagan, Steve Alker and Michael Sim were 52nd.
The Nationwide Tour now heads to Findley Lake in New York State for the Lake Erie Classic at Peek’n Peak Resort.
