Friday, July 13, 2001
Nieman adds fourth-decade
N.Ky. Amateur title
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer contributor
Charlie Nieman added the 2001 title to wins in 1975, '83 and '93.
(Michael E. Keating photos)
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COVINGTON — Charlie Nieman wanted to win a Northern Kentucky Men's Amateur golf tournament for lots of reasons.
And Nieman won Thursday. Lance Lucas' missed par putt on the 17th green and birdie putt on 18 were the difference in Nieman's one-shot victory in the 36-hole finale at Twin Oaks.
Rob Clarke finished third with a 6-over-par 146, and 2000 champion Barry Wehrman Jr. was a shot behind for fourth.
Nieman's 3-over-par 143 (which included a 2-under-par 68 for the first 18 holes Thursday) led to his fourth championship. He previously won in 1975, '83 and '93 and said winning a tournament in each of four decades was a goal.
Lance Lucas misses tying putt on final hole.
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“It was unexpected but very good,” Nieman said. “I've had a hard time breaking 80.”
But Nieman had lots more on his mind.
He was playing for 6-year-old daughter Suzanne and 4-year-old son Alex, who had never seen their dad swing golf clubs anyplace but the driving range.
Thursday was his first win outside Campbell County (he took the '75 title at A.J. Jolly Golf Course in Alexandria and the other two at Highland Country Club in Fort Thomas), and he played on the Twin Oaks course where the late Pete Stuntebeck taught him to play decades ago.
Barry Wehrman
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“It's sort of personal to win one here,” Nieman said. “I grew up on this golf course. This one was for (Stuntebeck).”
But if a series of events on the last 18 holes went differently, Lucas, the 1999 champion, might have been explaining his win.
First, Nieman blew his four- shot lead over Lucas and Rob Clarke largely because of his triple-bogey 7 on the 422-yard No.2 hole. Three holes later, Lucas tied the match.
He took a two-shot lead on No.10 on his par and Nieman's double bogey, but Nieman tied the match again with a par-birdie combination on 12 and 13 compared with Lucas' bogey-par.
Nieman was in trouble again on 16 — his second shot on the 565-yard par-5 found a fairway bunker, and there was more sand when he hit the trap left of the green. But he saved par with a 15-foot putt.
Final results
Check out our Tristate golf guide for a directory and features on local courses, coverage of the Men's and Women's Met, and other news.
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Nieman adds fourth-decade N.Ky. Amateur title