— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Pat Carter went on one of his trademark runs on the back nine Monday at Guyan Golf & Country Club to repeat as champion in the West Virginia Senior Open.
Carter and Harold Payne, two former Marshall standouts, were tied at even par heading to the back nine during Monday’s final round on the par-71 course.
Carter made birdie at the par-4 10th to bogey for Payne and a two-shot lead. Payne got one back when Carter had a three-putt bogey at the par-3 12th. Carter then made birdies on Nos. 13, 14 and 15, matching the birdies Payne made on the 13th and 15th holes, before sealing the deal with birdie on No. 17 moments after Payne made bogey at No. 16.
“It’s been a while since I had a nine like that under the gun,” said Carter, an insurance executive from Hurricane. “I can’t say enough about Harold. He’s such a competitor. I knew it’d be tough.”
Carter closed with a 4-under 67 and 36-hole total of 4-under 138. Payne shot a second straight 71 for second with an even par 142.
Jim Grimmett and Craig Heinaman tied for third at 5-over par. Grimmett shot 73 and Heinaman, tied for the lead at the start of the round, posted 76 for 147.
Ty Roush, pro at Riverside Golf Course in Mason, was low pro at 146 courtesy of a closing 70.
Glenn Yost won the Senior Division by a shot over David Corbin thinks to a final-day 72 for 154.
Perhaps the turning point came at No. 13, a par-4 with water at the green. Payne’s second shot finished tight to the hole while Carter managed to find the green from a trying lie and then rolled in the putt to match Payne.
“It’s disheartening as a competitor,” Carter said. “I’ve been on both sides.”
Carter breezed to an 8-shot win last year at Parkersburg Country Club. This one was more tense.
“One bogey in thirty-six holes. It was one of those two days you can have,” Carter said. “I responded here when I had to. I putted well all week. I made the important ones.”
Payne paid Carter the ultimate tribute.
“The second G.O.A.T behind Bill Campbell,” Payne said, referring to what Campbell did in amateur golf in West Virginia and nationally and the achievements Carter is now compiling. “That’s what I call him.”