Hilburn Wins Weather-Shortened Prize Possessions | E-Z-GO Eastern Championship
McCorkle Captures Senior Division
TYLER, Texas (June 10, 2025) – The Prize Possessions | E-Z-GO Eastern Championship was shortened to an 18-hole tournament when inclement weather began this afternoon and rendered the course unplayable. The Open Division did not play the final round, and round one results determined the champion.
Colton Hilburn, Associate at Abilene Country Club, was named the Open Division champion. His first round 35-31–66, 5-under-par, earned him the win by one stroke. Hilburn’s 31 on the back-nine was the best of the Championship, and his closing birdie on the 18th hole proved to be the difference maker.
“It meant everything,” Hilburn said about the putt. “I mean at the time I didn’t know, but fortunately that went in, and I was able to win the whole event.”
Reflecting further on his round yesterday, Hilburn said, “I stayed patient the whole day. I knew I was hitting it well. The stroke felt pretty good, and I got to the par fives and was able to hit two good shots on those greens and make pretty easy birdies, and then made two great par saves on 13 and 15 that kind of made some momentum and hit some really good approach shots coming in.”
Hilburn is going back to Abilene Country Club with a $4,650 champion’s check. “I think all the members and the staff will be happy to congratulate me and ask how things went. You know, I will explain to them everything that went on. It will be exciting.”
The Senior Division, who played in the morning, was able to finish their final round of play before the weather arrived. Todd McCorkle, PGA Life Member, carded a 4-under-par 67 today to win by two strokes. His rounds of 73-67–140, saw him finish the Championship at 2-under-par total.
McCorkle started his round with a bogey, but quickly bounced back and made five birdies in the next eight holes. “I bogeyed the last two holes yesterday. I was pretty disappointed, and then I bogeyed the first hole today, so I didn’t have a lot of good vibes going. Luckily, I hit a good shot on number two and I made birdie, so it kind of got me rolling. It’s funny how a couple of good shots can change your mindset,” said McCorkle.
Even-par on the back-nine, which included a 30-footer for birdie on the final hole, was enough to secure the victory for McCorkle. Speaking about his second Prize Possessions | E-Z-GO Eastern Championship Senior Division victory, McCorkle said, “I’m 62 years old, so they’re all special now because I don’t know how many more I’ve got. But, it means a lot to me to get the year started off in a good, positive way and just to get going in a positive frame of mind for the rest of the year.”
“Willow Brook is probably the best venue we’ve played since I’ve been in our Section. There’s not a blade of grass out of place, it’s a wonderful atmosphere and just a great place, so to win here was really special to me.”
McCorkle heads back to Fort Worth with a $1,700 champion’s check.
This Northern Texas PGA major championship was the first of four individual stroke play events that comprise the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Player of the Year Points Challenge presented by Adventures In Golf. The field competed for an overall purse of $52,700.
The Prize Possessions | E-Z-GO Eastern Championship was presented by Branded Bills, Glow Vibe Golf, GT Golf Supply Co., Infraway, Levelwear, Nexbelt, PGA TOUR, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson and Vortex® Golf.
Willow Brook Country Club
Par: 36-35–71
Open Division Yardage: 6,762 yards
Senior Division Yardage: 6,377 yards
View the final results
HERE
