Drama at the Heartland Open

FORT WAYNE INDIANA

On Saturday the annual Heatland Open was held at the Fairview Greens golf course. Since moving to Fort Wayne five years ago the best that W. Gaines has been able to accomplish was a couple second place awards and longest drive in 2003, but that elusive title has remained out of his reach thus far. This year in a surprising move Gaines switched from the hard hitting Burch team to join rising star "the Welsh Rocket" Andy Booth in a quest for his first championship. Rumor has it that Gaines was looking for revenge on Burch who stole his longest drive title in 2004. The Booth/Gaines team got into trouble early when on the first tee 3 of 4 drives ended up in the parking lot 30 feet left of the tee box, and only Booth managed to launch a playable drive but it was nearly two fairways right of the current hole. A bogey on the first hole left Gaines thinking that maybe it just wasn't meant to be. But they came roaring back with Gaines' booming drives and Booth, Harvey, and Allen's touch around the greens to be -2 at the turn. This was quickly erased when two quick bogies on the back nine put them back to even. Meanwhile the Burch team were cruising at -3 under and a 260 yard smash down the fairway from from Burch on the "lonsgest drive" hole seemed like pouring salt in the wound. But maybe today was different, right behind Burch, Gaines teed up, pulled out the King Cobra and smashed one 290 down the center to re-capture his longest drive title, but par was all they could manage and at 3 strokes behind with four holes left hope was fading. Nevertheless the team kept plugging away. When Gaines's tee shot ended up next to the green of the par 4 15th, it looked like birdie all the way. But with the first three chip attempts rolling off the green the disappointment was already setting in. Stepping up to his ball trying to save a birdie attempt for the team, Gaines showed the heart of a champion as he softly rolled his chip onto the green and into the hole for an eagle! Now only 1 behind, it was within reach. The next challenge was a 170 yard par three. Booth and Gaines watched the Burch team take a par, now knowing that a birdie would tie. With his 6-iron Gaines threw a dart within 15 feet of the pin and putting ace T. Harvey sank the birdie putt. They were all even with two to play. A short par three next, B. Allen sticks it 8 feet from the pin but with the last putting attempt rimming out they settled for a par. The last hole was another short par 4. Gaines boomed another drive 25 yards from the hole, and a chip within 15 feet of the hole. Once again the wizard with the putter Harvey rolled in the downhill 15 footer and the crowd went wild. The Burch team had one hole left to play and with a birdie they would steal the championship. Captain Booth, realizing what was at stake seized the moment to drive along side the Burch team and after some serious British heckling the heavy favorites could only manage a par. And there you have it, the amazing story of determination, drive, and jubilation that was the Heartland Open...

The writer of this story would like to remain anonymous, lest anyone would think he is bragging...