As the horse race went on Sunday afternoon at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course, and the holes got to have fewer and fewer participants, the margin of error came down less and less.
When the dust settled, Daryl Donovan reached the 18th green in two, and two putted to beat Jay Thiessen who could only make par, to claim the 2017 Dave Price Memorial Horse Race. The event has been part of the Frametech Classic for years and provides the biggest gallery of interested golfers, their friends and family.
The fellowship of golfers included the family of Price, a local golf enthusiast who died in a motor vehicle collision in 2015.
“It's just coming out and paying tribute to a great member of our course here who tragically left us too soon, and just trying to play the best golf and trying to do your best,” said Donovan after leaving the 18th green.
Twelve golfers stood on the 10th tee box and were eliminated one or two at a time until the final pair hit the 18th hole. As the crowds got bigger and a bit noisier, the pressure began to mount for those who golfed. Donovan said there are a couple of things golfers need to focus on so they don't let the size of the crowd effect their play.
“One, you're just trying to make it through the first couple of holes and you're trying not to make a mistake,” he said. “After that, just trying to be consistent. Usually helps if your caddies is giving you some pointers and keeping you calm. And then it comes down to hitting good shots.”
There were a few times where simply making par was good enough to ease through to the next hole but Donovan faced down elimination a couple of times in chip-offs, which happened when there was a tie for the highest score. Donovan survived the 13th hole when six golfers hit par and Ryan Stovin hit a birdie, leaving the six to chip to survive.
“That makes it easier, in my mind,” he said. “The more guys you have the better chance you have to make it through.”
But the hole where he felt his best shot happened was in the chip-off on 17, when he and Thiessen eliminated Stovin to become the last two competitors.
“You're down to three guys, all hitting good shots and you hope you're the closest guy when you turn around,” Donovan said.
