...Carolina Golf News Line                          gbh5k.jpg (5219 bytes)

Maxon's 66 Ties Course Record and Ensures Victory in Rocky River Open

CONCORD, N.C. -- Joey Maxon of Denver, N.C., pulled away from the field with a course-record tying 66 Thursday to take the $5,000 first-place check in the Tarheel Tour's Rocky River Open at Rocky River Golf Club.

Maxon, a former Clemson All-American, finished the three-day event at 11-under-par 205. He was four shots ahead of his nearest competitor. Maxon's key to victory was his play on the back nine of the Dan Maples-designed layout at Rocky River. He was 14 under on the back nine over three rounds, including a 31 in the final round.

"I killed the back nine all week. For some reason, it just sets up well for me," Maxon said. "Every day, I was able to get it going on the back."

Maxon was actually tied with runner-up Travis Deibert of Doylestown, Penn. after the 11th hole Thursday. But he gained separation by making an eagle on the par-5 12th, while Deibert made par. Maxon added birdies on the 15th and 17th holes to pull away. Of the six times Maxon played the par-3 holes on the back nine in the tourney, he made five birdies.

"I've been playing really solid and I've been working hard on my game," said Maxon, winner of the Tarheel Tour event at Cowans Ford in mid-October. "It's nice to have this tour to play because there isn't much going on this time of year."

Deibert, playing in his second Tarheel Tour event, wound up shooting a two-under 70 and placing second at 209. He earned $3,000. Mockville's Kevin Taylor and Laurinburg's Frank Adams III tied for third at 212 and earned $1,700 each. Fifth place, at 213, went to former UNC Charlotte standout Scott McNeill of Calgary. McNeill won $1,200.

The Tarheel Tour season concludes next week with the 72-hole 2004 Tour Championship, Nov. 15-18 at Birkdale Golf Club in Huntersville, N.C.

Tarheel Professional Tour Rocky River Open Final Results Rocky River Golf Club, Concord, N.C.
Par 72 -- 6,970 Yards

Joey Maxon, Denver, NC, $5,000 69-70-66--205
Travis Deibert, Doylestown, Penn., $3,000 70-69-70--209
Kevin Taylor, Mocksville, $1,700 68-71-73--212
Frank Adams III, Laurinburg, $1,700 69-72-71--212
Scott McNeill, Calgary, Alberta, $1,200 76-68-69--213
Kevin Gessino-Kraft, Lakewood, Oh., $1,083.33 73-73-68--214
Brad Fritsch, Raleigh, $1,083.33 73-72-69--214
Karl Mitchell, Greensboro, $1,083.33 71-72-71--214
John McAllister, Spartanburg, $950 75-70-71--216
Braxton Wynns, Buies Creek, $875 68-72-77--217
Brett Boner, Charlotte, $693.75 69-77-72--218
Scott Feaster, Columbia, SC, $693.75 73-73-72--218
Sam Cordon, Dayton, Md., $693.75 78-68-72--218
Scott Usher, Bennettsville, SC, $693.75 68-75-75--218
David Siegel, Charlotte, $550 72-72-76--220
Trent Erb, Athens, Ga., $525 74-72-75--221
Jonathan Hill, Greenville, NC, $500 71-74-77--222
Ben Duncan, Greenville, SC, $450 71-75-77--223
Courtney Faircloth, Wilson, $425 73-73-79--225