Page 7 - The National Invitational Championship V2

The amateurs were treated with the opportunity to play on a more
difficult layout than the professionals. The holes on the course were
comprised of original designed holes, but the carpet was much faster

and less forgiving. Negotiating the challenging course would be the
same as with the professionals, but less merciful. At the end of day one,
Malcom Schumaker averaged just over 29 strokes per round and held a
5-stroke lead over Michael Alley, Ron Epperson, and Chris Hudson; the
three players averaging just over 31 strokes for the day. Unpredictably

missing from the leaders was Todd Trent; however, his presence would
be felt later. On the second day, Schumaker opened with a 28,
Epperson gained a few strokes by shooting a 26. Epperson was 3 back,
but could only manage a 33 in round 6, as Schumaker gained a stroke

back by shooting a 32. However, the higher scores by the leaders
allowed other players to work themselves back into contention. Trent
opened with a 29 and 30 and Michael Alley shot a 32 and 27. Schumaker
faltered in rounds 7 and 8, shooting a 35 and 36. Epperson maintained
his position by shooting rounds of 31 and 32. Respectful rounds, but the

person who quietly worked his way to the clubhouse was Todd Trent.
Trent closed with a 31 and 29. Interestingly, as Trent was slowly
collecting aces on the front nine, Schumaker started his round with a
bogey on the second hole and Epperson bogeyed the first hole. By the

6th hole, Trent had tied Schumaker, but was now one stroke behind
Michael Alley. By the 14 hole, Conway Coffee had a one stroke lead
th
over five players who were just one stroke back. Coffee maintained his
lead, but Trent aced hole 16 to tie Coffee. Unknown to both players at
this point – they were the leaders of the tournament. Both players

parred 17 – unfortunately, Coffee bogeyed 18 to miss extending the
tournament to an 18- hole playoff with Trent, after getting his par on 18,
was now the leader in the clubhouse. The event within Trent’s group
went unnoticed during the last nine holes of the amateur division that

went live on Facebook and the focus was on Epperson and Schumaker,
who were in the final pairing. Conway Coffee, Christopher Taylor, Ron
Epperson, and Jack Taylor finished one stroke behind Trent – all with a
chance to tie the eventual leader during the closing holes. Conway
Coffee and Christopher Taylor were in the best positions to defeat Todd

Trent, but the closing holes proved to be too challenging for the players