Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Williams wears Rio Mimbres golf crown

Nick Williams doesn't play much golf these days. But when the Rio Mimbres Invitational rolls around each year, he can't wait to turn in rounds like the one he played in Sunday's championship of the 59th annual invite.

Williams, 24, got off to a quick start against defending champion Jarod Mason and dropped in birdies on holes 1, 3, 4 and 7 - including a 40-foot putt he drained on No. 4 - before closing out Mason with an eagle on 14 to win 5-and-4 in match play.

"I'm not motivated to play golf, but when Monday rolled around last week, I was amped for this tournament," Williams said after turning in 72 holes in what he termed, "the best I've ever played in this tourney."

Williams took the Championship Flight's tournament title by defeating Ryan Paulk at 17 on Friday, closing out Steve Fox at 14 on Saturday and reaching the championship final with a 2-and-1 over Kyle Stevens Sunday morning. This was Wiillams' seventh bid for the Rio Mimbres golf crown.

Despite a quick four-hole lead early in Sunday's final round, Mason kept the pressure on by hanging tough and closed to within 3 holes after the turn. "The turning point for me was at No. 11," Williams said. "I got myself in trouble, but was able to get up and down to save par."

He struggled again at 12 and 13, but kept it together and managed to pick up a hole to go four-up.

No. 14 is a 345-yard, par 4. Williams misplayed the hole in Sunday's semi-final round and left his tee shot 60 yards away from the flag and out of bounds.

This time, Williams went for the jugular.

"I had a good driver going and I had a four-hole advantage...I wanted to put the pressure on him and try and close out the match," Williams said.

His drive left the tee box straight and the shot dug into the green - 15 feet away on the back side.

No one else in the foursome made the green.

Mason's approach left him at a distance and he conceded the hole and the match.

"When I drove my cart up the hole I could see that I was on the green and I began to slap the steering wheel.

"I looked at my sister Tracey and said, 'I'm gonna win this!'"

Williams in a group trainer at Ultimate Fitness in Deming.

Williams father, Rio Mimbres Golf Pro James Williams, won the championship in 1978.

Mason was making his bid to successfully defend his Rio Mimbres Invitational championship won in 2011.

Gary Jeffreys held off Deryk "Buzz" Perales in the Championship Flight consolation, winning on No. 18. Perales - the reigning Rio Mimbres Club Champion - was looking to add the Rio Mimbres Invitational title to his resume.

Local favorite Jimmy Galindo won the First Flight over Trevor Milbourn. Steve Jones was consolation winner.

Billy Armendariz can be reached at barmendariz@demingheadlight.com. Follow us on Twitter: @demingheadlight.

Source: http://www.demingheadlight.com/deming-sports/ci_21133209/williams-wears-rio-mimbres-golf-crown?source=rss_viewed

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