Innisbrook Golf Club, Patrick Toney wins the 2011 Harvest Classic!
The 25th annual Harvest Classic Golf Tournament has come to a close and has crowned first time winner Patrick Toney as the champ. Based on a late game decision by Harvest Commissioner James Hayes the tournament was extended to five rounds and the scramble tournament was canceled. Knowing that the leaders had another 36 holes to play caused many of the contenders to lose sleep due to nerves.
The players all arose at 6:00 to make their first tee time off the back nine of the Island Course that they played on Friday. The round of the morning belonged to Patrick Toney scoring +5 points and putting him in a tie for first with early leader Bob Hayes. Jim Hayes also had a great round at the Island Course scoring +3 points trying to stage one of the greatest comebacks in Harvest history. Brothers Bob and Tom Hayes both scored +1 against their quota and comprised two of the players, along with Patrick Toney and Jim Hayes that would complete the final pairing.
Everything was riding on the final 18 holes which was played at the Copperhead Course which was in preparation for the Transitions PGA Tournament which will be played in two weeks. The greens were fast and the rough was long but that was no match for the talented golfers. What was clearly the most difficult round of the tournament for the entire field was dominated by Patrick Toney. Talk about strong finishes Toney scored +7 points to his quota and ended up beating second place finisher Bob Hayes by 8 points. When we caught up with Toney after the round and he said, “I was in the zone man!”
Hayesvision also had a chance to talk with a disappointed Vern Shukoski who immediately left the 18th green to pack his bags for the next leg of his book signing tour. Vern said, “You can’t blame me and my game for gravitating toward my competition. I hope we can open the field up next year to bring some competitors of my caliber.”
The biggest move of the tournament belonged to Kent Dickson who moved from 10th place after the opening round and finishing in 4th. Dickson was found looking for flights home on Thursday night but admitted he was happy he stayed.
Hayesvision was also able to catch up with Terry Haack after Saturday’s final round for comments on his last place finish. Haack said, “With Kenny gone I just couldn’t find my mojo.” The entire field echoed Haack’s sentiments agreeing that without Don “Kenny” Hayes around the Harvest Classic just isn’t the same.
As always the Harvest Classic was a great chance to catch up with an awesome group of guys. Thanks to the Harvest group and all of the Hayes brothers for continuing a great tradition. Hayesvision also wants to thank Vern Shukoski for organizing this great event and providing us with endless material. Also a huge congratulations goes out to Patrick Toney for getting his first Harvest Classic victory!
Below are the final scores for the tournament from Innisbrook Golf Club, Palm Harbor, FL.
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