Despite spending two days in paradise at Terra Lago in Indio, CA, our 2018 One-Day Series Match Play Champion Marshall Smith was in unfamiliar territory.
"To make it to the round-of-16 was my goal, " Smith said. "So to win all four matches – I just didn’t expect that at all."
The SCGA One-Day Tournament Series, one of the SCGA's fastest growing programs, hosted its 4th Match Play Championship this week. The top 16 players from the year-long points list, which distributed points to participants from the series' 2018 events, made the match play championship and earned the opportunity to compete for this year's SCGA One-Day Match Play Championship title.
Smith of Sea n Air GC is a member of the U.S. Navy and embarked on this One-Day Series on a whim.
"This was the only time I was able to do something like this," Smith said."I'll be shipping back out next year."
After three rounds of battling and making it across the other side, the underdog was up against One-Day veteran and 2017 champ, Bob Modrich in the final round.
Modrich was steady as can be on the front-9, but Smith managed to hang on. The lead went back-and-forth between the two, until No. 7, when Smith ran away with 1-up after another until No. 15, where he finished 4&3.
"It's because of my caddie, Spencer Sam. He's the one who introduced me to the One-Day Series and the SCGA," Smith said. "I won this for him, not for me."
Sam, also a One-Day veteran like Modrich, was once a points leader in this very series, and held a lot of wisdom for the rookie.
"He tells me to do stuff I don’t think I should do, and I listen because he’s better than me," Smith said.
While Smith had a qualified man on the bag, he also knew that his competition meant business. Any missed opportunity would have been an open door for Modrich. After becoming 3-up on the back-nine, the nerves started to kick in, creating a few wild tee shots. But Smith's strong approach game managed to keep him on track.
Smith was gleaming, with his shiny crystal trophy and $500 Roger Dunn Gift Card in hand. Our runner-up, Modrich, who also walked away with a smiling face, went home with a trophy and a $250 Roger Dunn Gift Card.
"I’m more than happy to even have the crystal trophy and show it off to my crew mates at work! The gift card will definitely go towards a new 3-hybrid," exclaimed Smith.
Allen Black was also recognized at the Championship for the One-Day Series Player of the Year, after he finished first in the Points List for 2018 with 1065 points. He was awarded a $750 Roger Dunn Gift Card and a framed SCGA flag.
SCGA One-Day Series is open to all SCGA members, regardless of Handicap Index. Events contain both net and gross flights, and range from individual to team competitions. Learn more about the program here.
