Avara Claims Prize Possessions Eastern Championship
Prosper, TX –
Clint Avara, PGA director of instruction at The Courses at Watters Creek, carded a 6-under 66 in today’s final round of the Prize Possessions Eastern Championship to claim his first individual major championship. In dramatic fashion, Avara clinched the title after draining a 12-foot putt on the first hole of a sudden death playoff against Round One leader Brandon Bingaman, assistant professional at Bent Tree Country Club.
“To make that putt on 18 was awesome. It’s a great feeling. I didn’t think I’d be here. I had a few close calls several years ago, and just to come back and win one is just amazing, especially to shoot a score like that in the last day. I’m shocked honestly,” said Avara. “It’s really neat to win. It’s tough to do in our Section because of all the great players. To come out on top in a playoff is even better. It feels really good. I’ve been playing really good, and just kind of everything clicked the last couple of days.”
The Championship included a Senior Division that was comprised of 31 of the 123 participants aged 50 or older who competed for a separate $9,465 purse and played at a modified yardage. Stuart Hendley, PGA director of instruction at Dallas Athletic Club, and Robert McMillan, PGA director of instruction at McMillan Golf Academy, both had two-day totals of 2-under par to finish the Championship at 142 and tie for the 2018 Prize Possessions Eastern Championship Senior Division champion title. The each took home a check for $1,150.
This 36-hole NTPGA major championship was the second of four individual stroke play events that comprise the Yamaha Golf-Car Company & Srixon /Cleveland Golf / XXIO Player of the Year Points Challenge presented by Adventures In Golf. It also serves as a qualifier for the 2018 Texas Joe Black Cup and Levy Cup Matches teams.
The Prize Possession Eastern Championship featured a field of 123 Northern Texas PGA Members and Associates competing at Gentle Creek Country Club in Prosper.
The Open Division field competed for a share of the $26,335 purse with Avara taking home $3,150 for first place. The overall Championship purse was $35,800.
The Prize Possessions Eastern Championship was presented by 18Birdies, AT&T Byron Nelson, E-Z-GO, InchStix, PGA TOUR and Pukka.
Gentle Creek Country Club
Par: 36-36—72
Yardage: 7,276
Final results
