Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

site web  

FINDLAY — Vaughn Snyder was too tired to celebrate.

Moments after he had beaten back numerous challengers and had overcome oppressive heat, gusting winds and a treacherous course to win the 102nd Ohio Amateur championship Friday, July 18, he was just looking for a place to rest.

"I'm just exhausted. That was a lot of hard work out there today," he said after his even-par 71 gave him a two-shot victory. "I'm so tired."

Almost an afterthought among several Ohio State players this week, Snyder came off the pace to steal the biggest prize.

On a day when the field averaged just under 76 strokes, he had one of the lowest rounds.

He finished at 283, with a birdie on the final hole, to become the only player in the field of 147 to break par. Most stalked away from Findlay Country Club cursing the conditions, the high temperatures, the gnarly rough, the lightning-fast greens and the dare-you-to-go-for-them pin positions.

Only Snyder, who had rounds of 71, 71 and 70 the first three days, ended up with a smile on his face.

And that smile was forced.

"This has been a mental grind," said Snyder, of Massillon. "The golf course is so difficult and so demanding on every shot. It just takes a lot out of you."

Blake Furgerson of Concord shot a 72 and tied for second with Alex Martin of Liberty Twp., who had a 74, and second-round leader Ethan Tracy, who had a 77. All three finished at 1-over-par 285.

"I'm pretty disappointed," said Tracy, who will play next year at the University of Arkansas. "I was right there all day and shot a 77 to finish second. All I needed to do was shoot a 75."

Ohio State teammate Kyle Coconis of Zanesville, who began the day with a one-shot lead over Tracy, wilted to a 79 and was at 286.

Snyder, who played for the University of Akron for two years before transferring to Ohio State, began the round tied for fourth and five shots back of Coconis.

Local golfers

Area finishers at the Ohio Amateur Golf Championship held at Findlay Country Club:

Alex Martin,

Middletown 67-72-72-74—285

Aaron Crist,

Miamisburg 74-76-73-72—295

Kevin Grabeman, Springboro 74-71-73-77—295

Ben Boyer, Dayton 75-76-72-75—298

Peter Samborsky, Dayton

76-72-71-80—299

Alec Tahy, Dayton 75-73-75-81—304