Although the year is different, the final results of the Bill Davis Northwood Invitational included a familiar name as a champion of the 2016 version of the the popular golf tournament that concluded at Northwood Country Club Monday afternoon. 

Doyle Bryan and Chuck Gordon defeated Daniel Whitehead and Robert Sanford in the tournament’s champion flight. As the championship trophy rested on a table in front of the invitational’s leaderboard, Bryan found himself in familiar territory as he hoisted the silver trophy and posed for a picture. The Meridian native was a co-champion of last year’s tournament.

Although Bryan frequently plays Northwood, he said it still proved challenging over the four-day event.

“In our weekly group, we play every Saturday and Sunday,” he explained. “We know the course, but they put pins in different places. And the reads are different and tricky, so it helps if you tag team, like we did at the end, and had putts and made sure we both had birdie putts.”

For Chuck Gordon, who has played in the tournament numerous times, elation was an appropriate word following his team’s win. After multiple tries, Gordon said he questioned whether he’d return to the winner’s circle.

“It was fun; it was finally nice to win one,” Gordon said. “I finished runner-up I couldn’t tell you how many times in a row, and I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to win one again. It’s nice to win one. Maybe I can relax a little more now.”

The two closed strong to finish their 17 holes played as they birdied holes 14, 15, and 16, in addition to holes 3, 6, and 9. They ended their match two up through 17.

“We played well when we needed to, and that’s the key to match play,” Gordon said. “It’s all about timing and stepping it up when you have to.”

Northwood Country Club golf professional Billy Pomeroy said Northwood is proud to host another successful year of the more-than70-year-old tournament.

“This tournament does recognize the best players, because of its format being four-ball match play,” Pomeroy said. “We’re happy with who we have, and hopefully this event will continue to grow. I think everyone who has played has had a wonderful time and a wonderful experience. The weather has been great, the golf course is great. We’ve had a nice weekend.”

Additional tournament flight winners included Randy Pool and Jack Combest, Tommy White and Kenny Hillman, Mac Barnes and Aaron Davidson, Jack Blackledge and Wayne Goodman and Ken Tillman and Greg Swanson.