Former Mason, MSU golfer wins All-City Championship after 1-hole playoff

James L. Edwards III
Lansing State Journal
Nathan Clark follows his drive in the All City Championship at Forest Akers Sunday, August 6, 2017.

EAST LANSING — Nathan Clark knew the pressure was on.

By the time the former Mason High School and Michigan State golfer hit the 10th hole of Sunday's All-City Championship at MSU's Forest Akers West Golf Course, he heard whispers that his golfing buddy Bob Matthiesen was right behind him putting on a show.

The 54-year-old Matthiesen shot a seven-under-par 29 through nine holes during the tournament's final round. And Clark knew he would have to refrain from any serious missteps to have a chance.

He did just that.

Both Clark and Matthiesen finished with 210 after 54 holes into the three-day tournament, and it was Clark who walked away with his third Open Division All-City Championship after he birdied on 18 during a one-hole playoff.

"Having someone else play that good on the last day, and then go into a playoff, was different," said Clark, who shot five under par on his last seven holes and, along with Matthiesen, a 67 on the day. "Bob's a great player. He won this before, as well. 

"The way I finished was something special."

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Matthiesen, who won the tournament in 2001, said his performance through the front nine was the best stretch he's ever had.

"Honestly, I think I was more nervous because I've never shot 29 before," he said. "People, I could hear them talking about it and stuff, so I had to kind of calm myself down."

Tony Fuentes, who graduated from East Lansing this spring and will golf at Eastern Michigan, finished third with a weekend score of 216. 

Andrew Johnson had a one-shot lead going into Sunday and finished fourth.

Lakewood grad Kennedy Hilley won the Women's Division after shooting 223. Hilley is entering her junior season as a member of the Alma College softball team.

"I try to play almost every day, at least hit some balls," said Hilley, who was an all-league golfer while in high school. "I work at a golf course, so after work or before I go out and get some practice in."

Scott Savage won the Senior Division championship after shooting 221. The 54-year-old Laingsburg native got off to a slow start Sunday before cleaning his game up in the back nine.

"I shot 43 on my first nine," he said. "I played terrible the first nine, and then after that I was under par.

"I knew there was a lot more holes left. With my length, I usually hit the ball pretty far for a senior. I just tried to stay with it."

Larry Wuetrich was the Super Senior champion with a three-day score of 229.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.