White wins Tri-County Invitational

Pass the torch! Last year Clay County senior to be, Trey Bowling won the Tri-County Country Club Invitational Golf Tournament. Sunday his best friend and teammate, Nathan White, a senior to be at Clay County won the title beating out former Cumberland College golfer, Jason Pullins in dramatic fashion.
The two entered the second-round tied at 68 and battled throughout the day with Pullins having control on the front nine. White took a one-stroke after the first hole but the second and third holes went to Pullins. The two were even on #4 but Pullins edged out White by a stroke on the next three holes. Pullins had pushed out to a four-stroke lead when they turned the corner at #10.
They played even on, 10-11-12 but the 13th hole was a nightmare for Pullins. White quickly birdied the hole and Pullins finished with a bogy, a two-stroke difference that left the Clay County senior trailing by two.
White pulled even when he birdied 14, (a par three) and picked up another stroke when Pullins boogied the 15th.
The two pared the 16th and were even coming down the stretch. White had some trouble on the par three 17th and went over a stroke. The two entered the final hole with Pullins up by one.
Pullins first shot landed about 15 yards from the flag just off to the left of the green. White followed with a shot that was about 10 feet to the the left of Pullins in the rough.
White got out of the rough with a nice slice to the green while Pullins tap rolled to the edge of the hole and went past the cup about six feet.
When Pullins missed his third shot, White knew he had a chance to force sudden death with a birdie. His third shot was on target and it appeared the race was on. But, Pullins missed on his fourth attempt and the championship belonged to White.
“I knew when we made the turn that I needed to make at least three birdies to have a chance,” said White.
It was the first big win by White, who has played golf since his was eight years old. “This is great, it’s my first invitational championship,” White said. “And to follow Trey was even better. We are very competitive. I would rather beat him than anyone but he is always there to encourage me, all the time.”
“We’re best friends and we are always there to help each other,” said White. Bowling, who started the day three back and in the second group of golfers with Tim Moses and Fred Copeland, Jr., finished third in the tournament with a second day total of 68 (the best for the day). White finished the afternoon with a 69 while Pullins ended Sunday with a 70. Lincoln Schott, who had a 70 was among the four to shoot under par.
Corbin’s Joe Parman and tournament director finished fourth with a second-round total of 73. He finished Saturday with a 73 as well. This was Parman’s best finish ever in the tournament. “I played in the championship round two years ago but didn’t make the top five,” Parson said. He finished second in the first flight last year.
Parman thanked the golfers and sponsors and added. “The course was in great shape this weekend. You might not have played the way you wanted but the course looked as good as it has for several years.”