Another fight to be played on the Calhoun County Golf Tour

Glencoe, AL – Cole triumphs by one stroke in another thrilling Calhoun County Golf Tour battle with his friend, Sunny King partner and Wigington, a rival Wigington

by Joe Medley

Ty Cole and Gary Wigington were looking at potential birdie shots on No. 18 during Sunday’s final round at the Etowah County Open. Cole having a one shot advantage. When Wigington took the opportunity to test his shot at 12 feet, Cole couldn’t help rooting for his teammate.

“Put it in Big man,” Cole said. “I am able to accept it.”

Both players took part in the last hole on the Links at Briarmeade and Cole was able to claim the third Tour victory of the season, and the second time in a row Tour events.

It was a thrilling battle with two Tour heavyweights. They entered Sunday’s final round in a tie for the lead having shot 63s on Saturday. Cole birdied No. 17 to take the last-round lead. He then scored a 66 to win.

Wigington began the Tour’s sixth event for points of the season leading the points standings after winning the first point event in Silver Lakes. Cole was unable to compete for two Tour events and was close to missing his chance to play in the Oxford City Championship two weeks prior, and finished the weekend in fourth position just 195 points off the top.

Two points events are still left and include The Pine Hill Invitational this coming weekend. This year’s annual 87th Calhoun County Championship is Aug. 19-20.

Cole as well as Wigington will play as partners during the September Sunny King Charity Classic and Buddy Moore Invitational, which aren’t part the Tour.

“We have a lot of fun trying to take the heat out of each other. Then, when September rolls around, we’re like “‘Come on!'” Cole said, as both men savored Briarmeade’s delicious rice and red beans. “We are a team whenever we go to play Buddy Moore and Sunny King in a row on weekends.”

Cole and Wigington fighting for tournament wins and Tour points titles is nothing new.

“We’ve been through it numerous times,” Wigington said. “We enjoy ourselves regardless of how we do it. It’s not as if we aren’t friends and enjoy playing with each other. We’re having fun and were having a great time playing today.”

Cole and Wigington were in the same group along with Tee Brown, and Jeremy McGatha, and the beginning of the round predicted a day when they were tied or within one stroke of one another all the way through. Wigington began with eagle-birdie, while Cole began birdie-birdie only but fell a shot back.

Both were at the 11th under par by the turn. Cole hit a birdie on the way up, and Wigington followed with an eagle on 10 and Wigington was right there at 11.

Cole played a crucial par saving on No. 14 when his tee shot bounced off a tree before falling then re-emerged into the water.

“It struck the middle of a pine tree and then comes back 60 yards to the ocean,” Cole said. “I didn’t notice it going to the ocean. We didn’t even know it was into the ocean until we were up there because we were about 60 yards above searching to find it within the rough.

“I was able to hear it hitting the tree I was unsure the exact location, however generally, it doesn’t have that.”

Cole was hit by an error and penalty stroke but had a great look at his plan. Cole stayed on the par 5 hole to stay on par with Wigington.

Cole was the first to lead the way with a fast 7-iron drive and a putt to make birdie the par-5 17th hole.

“Just hit the ball hard,” Cole said. “I hit it with all the force I could hit it. I knew I needed to strike it high to keep it from the trees, however I didn’t require any flyers, either.”

Cole was the first to enter No. 18 with a one-stroke lead, then played to the left of the green and then downhill, through dirt and sand. In a position to drive the ball one club length and a half, he picked an easier position.

“I discovered a small amount in grass” He said. “Hit a great shot, the putt was fantastic in dead center, which hit off the bottom of the cup but it was four inches shorter.”

Cole and Wigington putted 18 before shaking hands after a round that demonstrated the reasons Wigington has been crowned winner of 26 Tour events, and Cole 25. Cole has been the five-time Tour athlete of the Year, while Wigington has been awarded the award four times.

“I did a good job, but I did not make a birdie on over the last five holes and that sort of revealed the story,” Wigington said. “You must get birdies during the final five holes and believe you’re going to win however, I did a good job.

“I was very happy. It’s my best performance in a long time. It’s a good thing to anticipate.”