Chris Blyth Captures 2018 RDGA District Championship Title at Monroe Golf Club
Chris Blyth, second from left, is presented with the Championship trophy by RDGA President Mark Battle, left, RDGA Tournament Chairman Mike Sorce, right, and Chuck Ryan, brother of the late John H. Ryan Jr., after winning the 88th RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial at Monroe Golf Club on July 28. It was the first RDGA title for Blyth, now a member of Mendon Golf Club, who grew up playing at Monroe.
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CLICK HERE for the full LEADERBOARD from the 2018 RDGA District Championship
CLICK HERE for a PHOTO GALLERY from the 2018 RDGA District Championship
CLICK HERE for a post-tournament INTERVIEW with 2018 Champion Chris Blyth
CLICK HERE for a feature article on tournament host MONROE GOLF CLUB
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Chris Blyth enjoyed the homecoming celebration of his dreams during the final round of the 2018 RDGA District Championship, holding on under blustery conditions for an exciting 1-shot victory over Kyle Downey to win the John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial trophy at Monroe Golf Club.
Blyth, 25, held off strong challenges from some of the area's top amateurs in the final round, including four-time RDGA Champion John Kircher, last year's District Championship runner-up Jeff March and Downey.
Blyth, who is now a member of Mendon Golf Club but grew up playing the Donald Ross-designed Monroe Golf Club along with his family, made his initial move towards the top of the leaderboard during Friday's third round when he posted the low score of the Championship, a 4-under-par 66, under similarly blustery conditions.
"Having played this course most of my life, I knew where to hit it and where not to hit it," he said. "I was also able to keep the ball below the hole most of the day."
Blyth again got off to a strong start on Saturday, with three birdies on the front nine and quickly built a 6-shot lead when Kircher had problems of his own.Downey, a member at Locust Hill Country Club and the second round co-leader, took the opposite route throughout the fourth round. Opening with three bogies in six holes, Downey rebounded on the back nine, with three birdies in six holes to close the gap on Blyth.
At the same time, Blyth showed signs of folding under pressure as he got to the middle of the back nine, suffering through a stretch of double bogey-bogey-double bogey on Holes 14, 15 and 16.
Also moving up the leaderboard was Irondequoit Country Club's March, who had four birdies and one bogey through the 14th hole to get within two shots of Blyth.
By the time Blyth reached the 18th tee, he was clinging to a 1-shot lead over Downey. Both players managed par, and Blyth walked off the 18th green with a 1-shot victory and the title.
Among those there to congratulate him was his former college coach, Bob Simms, who still leads the Men's and Women's squads at St. John Fisher.
"I was able to fall back on that experience I had in college - especially when things got rough there on the back nine today," Blyth said. "That's what helped me right the ship."
Blyth also thanked his parents, Geoff and Tammy, who followed him throughout much of the tournament and all day on Saturday,
"They have always been there for me, so I knew that they wouldn't miss this for anything," he said.
Blyth finished with a 71, for a two-under-par 282 total for the 72-hole Championship.
Downey and March both posted scores of 1-under-par 69 on Saturday - the lowest rounds of the day - with Downey finishing at 3-over-par 283. March finished in a tie for fourth place at 5-over-par 285, matching Kircher, who posted a final-round 73.
Following play, a special honor was presented to Jim Mrva, who recently announced his retirement after 35 years as Monroe's PGA Head Professional. Past RDGA President Mike Sorce presented Mrva with the 2018 RDGA John Henry Ryan Gentleman of Golf Award, named for the long-time benefactor of amateur golf in Rochester - and the father of tournament namesake John H. Ryan Jr.
The RDGA wishes to thank our volunteers, as well as the membership of Monroe Golf Club for their hospitality in hosting this event this year - including the efforts of PGA Head Professional Jim Mrva, course Superintendent Matt Delly, Chef Frank Mirabile, General Manager Scott Ellender and their entire staff for helping contribute to the success of this year's Championship.
Players, caddies and spectators congregate around the main scoreboard at Monroe Golf Club during the final round of the 2018 RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial. This year's District Championship marked the first time that the RDGA used live, online hole-by-hole scoring, giving fans and players alike the ability to follow the action as it happened.