North Wins $350,000 and the ING Par 3 Shootout
Andy North, who is an on-course analyst for ESPN and ABC and former US Open Champion, won the 2005 ING Par 3 Shootout at Treetops in Gaylord, Michigan. North won the tournament after making birdie on the 12th hole (3rd hole of the 2nd day) and then making par to “validate” on the 13th. The birdie on the 12th and validation was worth $220,000 and 11 skins, which was more money than North earned during his most lucrative year on the PGA Tour in 1985 ($212,268). North also won $60,000 on the first playoff hole, when he made a 35-footer for birdie. Gary McCord won 3 skins and ended up with $90,000 to finish second, while Phil and Freddy tied for third with $50,000 each.
It was very interesting to see how good the “old” guys were on a course where distance was not a factor. Obviously, Phil and Freddy would most likely destroy North and McCord on a typical PGA length golf course. North said after the round, “We wouldn’t want to play Phil and Fred on a 7,800-yard course, [but on] this course, it’s more about controlling club distance and spin.”
For a local write up on the tournament, click here.
Tweet