Williams edges Burton with playoff birdie to claim City Golf title

Charlottesville’s City Golf Championship came down to a putting contest in a one-hole playoff on Sunday when Grady Williams dropped in his birdie putt for the title.

Williams’ putt on the par-4, 16th hole (the first playoff hole) dropped in for the win as Preston Burton missed his birdie attempt. Both golfers finished regulation in the 36-hole, stroke-play competition tied at 137 on the par-70 Meadowcreek Golf Course.

Williams, from Hermitage Country Club, led Farmington’s Burton by a stroke after Saturday’s first round with a 3-under 67, but Burton made up ground on Sunday with a 1-under 69, one better than Williams’ 70, forcing the playoff. It was the first City title for Williams in the VSGA-sanctioned tournament. Timothy Morris of Farmington finished third with a 70-75—145.

Mason Chiovaro (Lake Monticello) and Bradford Chandler (International Country Club) tied for fourth at 151, while Harrison Perry (Belmont Club) and Hunter Weaver (Lakeside Park Club) tied for sixth at 153, and Eric Branch (Meadowcreek) finished at 160.

In the regular division’s first flight, Ari Lehman (Hidden Creek) was first at 149, followed by Aaron Kennon (Winton) at 150, Stacey Larese (Keswick Club) at 152, Eddie Cutler (Lake Monticello) at 154, Brandon Lloyd (Birdwood) at 156, Landon Rybolt (Meadowcreek) and Aaron Kennedy (Birdwood) at 161, and Mike Mundell (Lake Monticello) at 163.

The regular division’s second flight was won by Evan McNally of Spring Creek with a 158, followed by Riley Parker (Lakeview) at 165, Graham Morrison (Birdwood) at 166, Bobby Browning and Dan Hay (both of Meadowcreek) both at 167, Daniel Bailey (Meadowcreek) at 172, Matty Hart (Meadowcreek) at 173, Jonathan Stevens (Birdwood) at 179 and Caleb Axelson, VSGA, at 180.

A total of 55 players competed in the event, which included the regular men’s championship division, men’s senior, men’s super senior and a women’s division.

Elise Kain of Birdwood claimed the women’s crown with an 83-78—161.

UVA golf coach Bowen Sargent won the Senior Division after finishing runner-up in 2023. Sargent, who plays out of Birdwood, posted a 71-70—141, beating out Steve Firkins of Magnolia Green, 74-69—143 and Neil Davis of The Keswick Club, 73-72—145.

Roger Munoz of The Crossings was fourth at 146, followed by Shelton Gordan of Cedars C.C. 147, Inoch Arnette (Meadowcreek) 150, Eddie Early (Meadowcreek) 151 and Randy Leyshon (Meadowcreek) 152.

In the Senior first flight, Meadowcreek’s Chris Weicht prevailed with a 154, followed by Eric Parlet (Keswick) 157, Scott Harper (Meadowcreek) and Billie Batchelor (Hollows) both at 161, Chris Recke and Terry Dean (both from Meadowcreek) both at 170, Jason Holden (Meadowcreek) 188 and Brandon Rose (Meadowcreek) 195.

Greg Crum of the Hollows, won the Super Senior Division with a 69-74—143, beating out Meadowcreek’s Dick Rudolph, 70-75—145, and Steve Cox of the Hollows, 76-74—150.

Meadowcreek’s Jimmy Casella was fourth with a 152, followed by Tom Elliot (Meadowcreek) 153, Dave Michel (Meadowcreek) 157, Tom Eckman (Meadowcreek) 161, Kenny Hicks (Hollows) 165, Jim Corbett (Meadowcreek) 170 and Tom Biggs (Meadowcreek) 180.