The Brockton City Open ends in a dog fight

By: Jeff Sinkiewicz on 09/14/09 11:36 AM

With the field already going to the playoff, the buzz in the clubhouse was would the seeded follow suit? Dave Tasho went into the final round of the Brockton City Open with a three shot lead over cousin Steve and a four shot lead over defending champ Mike Calef.

All three players brought their "A" game going as they were all one under par through 10 holes. With Steve and Mike nipping at Tasho's heels, Dave started to feel the pressure. Known as "Bubba" at Thorny Lea, Tasho lipped out  on 11 and 12. making bogey on both holes. Dave said he pushed his putt on 11 and lost his concentration on 12. "I felt sluggish through that stretch but thought positive, I am tied for the lead". Before he knew it, Calef erased a four shot deficit and there was a three way tie through 13 as Calef and Steve both made birdie on 11 and Calef made birdie on 12 as well.

After exchanging blows all day it came down to the 18th hole with Bubba tied with Calef, leaving Steve one shot back. Dave Tasho was first to approach the 18th green, knocking it 25 feet from the hole. Steve Tasho answered the call and had a 18 footer. Calef seemed to have mis-clubbed as he knocked it dangerously close to the OB stakes behind the green. Mike was against a post and was able to get relief and made a nice flop shot giving him a chance for par.

Dave did the smart thing and lagged it up to a foot and safely made par forcing someone to make a putt. With nothing to lose Steve made an aggressive putt and missed, it was now up to Calef to send it to extra holes but just missed his 10 footer giving Dave Tasho his first City Open win in more than 25 tries going wire to wire. Tasho said "it was tracking, I though he made it".

" I was close a few times and always wanted it" said Bubba

The 49 year old said he has been chasing his cousin Steve, Calef and John (Hadges) for years and was relieved he finally got over that hump. Dave has been the Club Champion at Thorny Lea and a Four Ball winner but needed this one for the what Enterprise columnist Bob DiCesare calls the "Brockton Tri-fector.

Although Steve Tasho came up short, he was still the winner in the Wally McCain Trophy which is awarded to the lowest scoring player over 50. Dick Ellis was runner-up 5 shots back.  Ironically, Dave Tasho will have to wait 6 years now for a chance for that trophy as Peter Norton announced that the minimum age requirement will be raised to 55 next year.

See all the coverage of the Brockton City Open here