Derek Fisher won the 2009 Men’s Club Championship on Tuesday at the Falls Country Club, overcoming a one-shot deficit on the final hole to defeat Andrew Katrin, a three-time champ.
Katrin, a good friend of Fisher’s, hit his drive on No. 9 — the final hole — into the hazard on the left. His drop then trickled down near the hazard and he was forced to punch out onto the fairway. He missed the green with his approach shot before chipping on and two-putting for a triple bogey.
At the tee box on No. 9, Fisher and his brother Drew had one thing on their minds down a shot to a three-time champ.
“We were just thinking center of the fairway, 100 yards,” Derek Fisher said, noting they thought they needed a birdie to have a shot at the title.
Fisher eventually sank a 2-foot putt on the ninth green to seal the championship, his first golf championship since he was a senior in high school in 2004.
“I feel bad because he’s such a close friend,” Derek Fisher said of Katrin. “It doesn’t feel right because he lost it.”
Katrin, who overcame Fisher’s one stroke lead on hole No. 6, was gracious in defeat.
“Happy for Fisher, though. He played well,” Katrin said.
Fisher scorched the first nine holes of the day with a 3-under par 34. Katrin caught him on the back nine, however, and the two were all square heading into the final nine. Derek Riley also carded a 73 over the first 18 holes, but he struggled over the final nine. Also participating in the championship flight — or top eight of the day — were Brett Musich (77), Mike Cocanour (77), Rick Anderson (74), Jon Dupuis (78) and Travis Blais (76).
Fisher is entering his senior season at Mercyhurst College, a Division I hockey and Division II golfing school.
2009 Men’s Club Championship results
Championship Flight
Derek Fisher 34-39—73 39
Andrew Katrin 36-37—73 41
Mike Cocanour 38-39—77 38
*First through six flights are net scores
First Flight
Tim Anderson 72
Brett Musich 73
Jon Dupuis 73
Second Flight
Rick Anderson 66
Brett Hughes 72
Dave Amundsen 75
Steve Johnson 75
Third Flight
Earl Evans 68
Tom Sutch 71
Jerry Duciome 71
Fourth Flight
Jim Johnson 70
Bob Harler 71
Ken Moss 72
Fifth Flight
Rick Lucca 69
Barry Miller 75
David Doris 76
Steve Takaichi 76
Sixth Flight
Dave Cronin 71
Merlin Holm 73
Don Svir 74

