Start fast and finish strong.
That was Rich Morris’ plan heading into the final round of the Community Bank Golf Classic, which wrapped up at Northwood Country Club Saturday.
Morris, of Fayetteville, Ark., started the fourth round of the Tight Lies Tour event tied with Brice Garnett of Gallation, Mo., at nine-under par.
“I birdied the first, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh holes, and tried to make par the rest of the way,” Morris said. “That was the plan.”
Morris was at 16-under by the 13th hole, while Garnett was at 11-under. Morris then followed his plan, shooting par on the remaining holes while Garnett made a run at him, birding the 15th and 16th and 18th holes while shooting par on 17.
It was the second tour victory for Morris, who won his first tour event at Gulfport six weeks ago.
“I love Mississippi,” Morris said with a smile.
There was $100,000 in prize money this year with $14,000 going to the winner.
With his wife, Renee, serving as his caddie, Morris saved the best for last. He shot a 69 in the first round, 66 in the second and 69 in the third.
“This was a great course,” Morris said. “It wasn’t as long but it favored the guy who could stay in bounds and make his putts.”
Morris played college golf at Arkansas through 1999. He worked for about a year-and-a-half, and then started playing pro. He plans to play the winter tournaments.
Garnett, who played college golf at Missouri Western, was pleased with his round of golf.
“You can’t give up because anything can happen,” said Garnett, who trailed by five-strokes on the back nine. “I enjoyed the course. You have to concentrate on every hole or you can wind up with a big number.”
Richard Swift, who started the day at five-under par, shot 66 on Saturday and finished third. Greg Bonnier and Scott Sterling finished tied for fourth with at nine under.
Billy McCoy, a member of the Arizona State University golf team, was the low amateur at six-over par.
The Tight Lies Tour moves on to Marksville, La., where it will wind up its summer tour.
Sports
Related Photos
Discussion
Morris takes CBGC crown
- Sports
-
-
One-sided affair
The Clarkdale slow-pitch softball team continued its dominance in the 2010 season, using a seven-run sixth inning to rip its biggest rival Enterprise on the road Tuesday night 13-2.
-
Blinn claims top spot in NJCAA poll; EMCC falls to No. 16
Defending national champion Blinn College (Texas) is the No. 1 ranked team in NJCAA football after the conclusion of the first two weeks of the 2010 season. The Bucs were voted to the top spot in the first poll of the season, released Tuesday. Blinn received 139 total poll points and six of seven first place votes.
-
Roundup - Southeast downs Choctaw in division opener
Southeast Lauderdale started off Division 5-3A play on a winning note Tuesday night downing Choctaw Central 11-5.
-
Baldner named SEC’s top defensive player
Mississippi State senior Leanna Baldner has been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week as the Bulldogs prepare to host Mississippi Valley State today at 7 p.m. at the MSU Soccer Field.
-
Harrod wins NOS Energy Drink Nationals at Whynot
Larry Harrod, of Plains, Ga., driving the Harrod Logging Scorpion, won the NOS Energy Drink 75 for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Tour on Saturday night at Whynot Motorsports Park.
-
SEC honors Russell, Newton, Travathan and Peterson
Former Meridian High standout Tyler Russell was named the SEC's top freshman after starring in Mississippi State's season-opening win against Memphis.
-
No changes at the top of MPSS rankings
There were no changes at the top of any of the seven classifications in the Mississippi Prep Sports Source football rankings this week, but there was some significant movement just below the top in Classes 4A, 2A and 1A.
-
Russell delivers for MSU
-
Tim Tebow, McCluster about more than money
Tebow. There, I said it. Tebow. Oops, I said it again.
Can you name the third-string quarterback on any other NFL team besides the Denver Broncos? Most fans can’t either. The guy hasn’t played a single regular season game and is currently third on the depth chart behind Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn, but he’s most definitely getting the headlines. - 'Jackets roll past depleted Bulldogs
- More Sports Headlines
-
