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Chad Ramey hits a drive as playing partners Alex Rowland, left, and Eddie Brescher watch on Sunday at Tupelo CC. (Brandon Speck)
Fulton’s Chad Ramey, a junior at Mississippi State, picks up his trophy. (Brandon Speck)
Ramey and Millsaps golf coach Eddie Brescher entered the third day of the 54-hole tournament a stroke behind of Alex Rowland. Ramey shot a 5-under 67 to land atop the leaderboard.
“It’s very exciting. Me and Alex were close all day,” said Ramey, a junior at Mississippi State. “My short game was on. I putted and chipped real good all day.”
Ramey was paired with Rowland and Brescher. Rowland is a former Houston golfer who likely played in his final amateur. He just finished his senior season at Mississippi State and led after the first two days.
He finished in a tie for second with Barrett Edens, a former Amory golfer who’s a junior at MSU. Edens shared a tie for the lead after the first day.
MSU sophomore Fletcher Johnson of Tupelo shot a 3-under 69 for a 210 total while Brescher shot his second par round of the event to finish fourth. Edens and Johnson were a group ahead of Ramey’s trio.
“At the beginning of the tournament, I thought 6-under may end up winning it,” Edens said. “When I got to eight, I felt pretty good. I knew Chad, Fletcher and Alex and Eddie were all playing pretty good.
“I was just trying to go low as I possibly could. I played as good as I good. I’m happy.”
Ramey’s day included six birdies, four of them on the course’s daunting four par 5s.
It was a great tournament for Mississippi State’s golf program, with three current golfers and a graduate in the top four spots.
“That’s pretty strong. We got a one through four finishing at the top of a leaderboard with pros and amateurs ” Edens said. “That’s something to say for Mississippi State. We’ve been doing it all summer pretty much.”
The top finishing pro was Bob Wolcott with a three-day 214, good for a three-way tie for fifth. He won a one-hole playoff for the $2,500 top prize.
Last year’s winner Olly Thompson had a three-day 220 after a 5-over 77 on Saturday marred his chances. Butch Lambert winner Rickey Riley shot 76 three straight days.
“I probably didn’t hit the ball as well as I planned but I played very well and got it in the hole,” Ramey said.
brandon.speck@journalinc.com