Posted online: July 9, 2006 11:30 PM
Print publication date: July 10, 2006

Soucinek leads trio of `winners' at Palmer Hills Am

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By Tom Johnston, tjohnston@qconline.com

When Tim Flaherty drained a putt of over 40 feet to save bogey on the 36th hole of the Palmer Hills Amateur Sunday evening, Chris Wilkins' shoulders slumped a bit despite a great putt from a good friend.

His reaction was understandable. At the time, he thought that putt kept him from earning a spot in today's John Deere Classic qualifier along with Brian Soucinek. With Player of the Year honors from the 2005 season, Soucinek already had a spot in the four-spotter, but continued his torrid 2006 season Sunday with his third victory.

Two players from the National City Bank Amateur Tour earned chances to play for a spot in next week's John Deere Classic thanks to the NCBAm Tour -- last year's POY and this year's points leader. But Soucinek covers both criteria, which gives the other spot to whomever is second in this year's season-long points chase.

That's where Flaherty's final bomb could have blown up Wilkins' hopes to play today. Flaherty finished bogey-bogey for a 1-under 70 after a back nine in which he was 5-under after five holes, following a front 9 2-over 38.

As it turns out, Flaherty's putt ended up being Wilkins' only way into the 18-hole qualifier at his old home course at Pinnacle Country Club.

Flaherty finished solo second in the Palmer Hills event to move into second on the season points race. But he had to pass up the invite as his company, Jancy Engineering, is hosting company meetings all week.

It went to No. 3 on this season's point list -- Wilkins.

"It's not really the way I wanted to get in," said Wilkins after the NCBAm Tour board approved the No. 3 points leader taking the tee time.

However, he's not passing up the opportunity as seemingly three players from the championship flight walked away with something to boast about Sunday:

* Soucinek had his third victory in four starts, one which he logged after overcoming a stiff back and making three key par-saving putts in a row before a birdie on his last.

"Winning never gets old," said Soucinek, who shook off a double-bogey on the par-4 5th hole to fire four birdies on the back side. "If you're a competitive person, you'll take the win every time."

* Flaherty with yet another strong finish to stay in the Player of the Year race. Flaherty trailed Soucinek by just one victory worth 400 points. "I got so close last year, and now I'm a little conscious of it. That was my driving force out here," he said.

* And Wilkins with the four-spotter chance after finishing his round with 16 straight pars after a bogey-birdie start.

"I'm looking forward to playing (today)," said Wilkins, who juggled his schedule to play the Palmer event despite some family conflicts. "I'm swinging well, so if I make some putts on my former home course, who knows."