Golfer Conti makes PGA match play final

$900 runner-up at Blue Lakes

On a windy day Wednesday, Ketchum's Dominick Conti pulled out all the stops in the final match of the Snake River Chapter PGA Match Play Golf Championship at Blue Lakes Country Club in Twin Falls.

Conti, PGA head golf professional at Sun Valley Resort Golf Course, played an exciting final match with John Shaw, assistant professional at Jackpot Golf Club in Jackpot, Nev. In fact, the pair went overtime.

Ultimately, Shaw defeated Conti after 23 grueling holes to capture the title and the $1,400 first prize. Conti pocketed $900 for second.

The championship match was closely contested.

It was all square through nine and 18 holes. Shaw seemed to have the match finally in hand on the 22nd hole, but Conti made an improbable par from a difficult position to push the match one hole further. But Shaw closed out the match with two putts on the 23rd hole.

The SRCPGA Match Play Championship, presented by Bridgestone Golf and PEPSI and supported by Maui Jim, was contested Monday through Wednesday, April 9-11 on the 6,454-yard par-72 Blue Lakes Country Club. Monday's matches saw 48 players begin play—32 in the regular division and 16 in the senior division.

Conti won four matches to reach the final.

He won 5&4 over Gabriel Dorosh of Boise (Crane Creek Country Club), prevailed 2&1 over Todd Bindner of McCall (Whitetail Club), moved up 5&4 over Cameron Garn of Rexburg (Teton Lakes Country Club, a $300 winner) and survived 1-up over Travis Hofland of Twin Falls (Twin Falls Golf Club, $650) in the semi.

In the consolation match, Bobby Howell, PGA teaching professional at Highland Golf Course in Chubbuck, Idaho, won 2-up over Sean Thomsen, assistant professional at Idaho Falls Country Club in Idaho Falls. Senior Division winner was John Wallace, PGA head professional at Lakeview Golf Course in Meridian.

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