One Local DG Winner, Almost Another at Forsyth Decatur Open

(JOSEPH GARLAND AT A WIN EARLIER THIS SEASON)

The 2021 Forsyth Decatur Open featured one local winner and almost had another.

Joseph Garland of Effingham surged on the final day to capture Advanced Division honors and a one-shot victory over James Taylor of Decatur. 

The three-day, four-round event was played at Forsyth Park as well as Nelson Park in Decatur. 

Garland was in the hunt throughout the weekend, shooting -2 in his first round Friday to finish tied for second. He went -5 in his first round Saturday to move to -7, but slipped to fourth place. In his second round Saturday, Garland shot -3 to move into a tie for third place, setting up Sunday's final round.

During Sunday's round at Forsyth, Garland shot a -4 54 with five birdies as opposed to just one bogey. The round tied another Effingham resident, Mark Jones, for best round of the day and a 991 rating for the round. He finished -14.

It was Garland's third victory of the year. 

The near-victory was in the Intermediate Division, where Cole Mintert finished regulation tied for the top spot at -11. Mintert got better as the weekend progressed, with rounds of 54, 52, 51, and 50. Unfortunately, he lost to Austin Herkert of Taylorville in a three-hole playoff. 

As far as other area players at the event, Mark Jones finished tied for fourth in Advanced, finishing -11. Andy Burgholzer finished 18th in Advanced at +8 for the weekend. 

With Mintert in Intermediate was Hadley Majors, battling his way back from injury. Majors finished tied for eighth at -3 for the weekend, including -3 in Sunday's round. Bob Feldhake finished tied for 11th at even par for the tournament, going -2 in the final round. 

In Recreational Division, Zeb Berry finished tied for third at +7, going -1 in his final round. 

In Novice Division, Marvin Lindsay finished 16th.