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Ballzee Winner

Colby Evans
Cartersville, GA

Last year we were playing the annual Ryder Cup style event at a local course (I was invited to play by a friend as his guest because they had a few spots to fill). I was in the last group. I hit my drive perfect on the par 4 18th. It was 255 to the 150 stake where it doglegged hard left. I hit a perfect draw and had 120 in. I pull a sand wedge for my second shot to the elevated green. The wind was blowing right to left. I hit the shot right at the pin, but the wind blew it off line and it hit and spun into the greenside bunker.

I approach my ball, and find that a tree has fallen across the bunker (had been fallen for a while). I knew I needed a good score because my entire team was watching and so was the other team from the clubhouse that overlooks the hole. I lie 2 in the bunker and being as my ball is right up against the tree I can't hit it right handed (opponent disagreed that I got relief from the tree, and I was in no mood to argue.) I first wanted to pitch backward out of the bunker and away from the green, chip up and take the 5 assuming I made the putt. But looking and seeing how intently they were watching. I knew either he or I needed a good score. He was laying 3 on the green and had a 10 footer (he would later make). I wanted to half the hole at worst because someone needed to score (I'd had a bad day and we were square going into 18). I was 5 down going to #11 and had battled back from 5 down to square with one to play. So I decided to take a risk, one I rarely would have taken otherwise.

I turn my 60 degree wedge over and decide to hit the shot lefty. I want to chip out right of the flag and make a 15 footer. Instead, right before taking my stance I said to myself "you know, if I take dead aim and hit this shot inside him left handed from the bunker he'll fold" so that's what I did. I took dead aim, made a few waggles, and hit the shot. It came out better than any bunker shot I probably would have hit in the situation right handed. Hopped once... twice (it's going right at it and I'm thinking this will be close and a possible tap in) it checked a little, rolled about 5 revolutions and DROPPED!!! I'd birdied from the bunker left handed. I'd won my match. I later found out that we were down half a point and needed me to at least half to force a playoff. I don't think I've ever hit a shot in a pressure situation that nice. Yes, being Ballzee payed off for my whole team.

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