Posted Online: May 25, 2008 11:03PM

Wilkins survives playoff for 4th QC Am victory

By Tom Johnston

When Chris Wilkins walked out of his Bettendorf home Sunday morning for the final round of the Quad City Amateur golf tournament, he reported his young children asked him if he was ``wearing his winning shirt.''

Understanding that he needs to practice what he preaches to his 4- and 2-year-olds, ``I told them it's my `do-my-best' shirt,'' said Wilkins.

By the end of a grueling day on the windswept Emeis Golf Course layout, the tangerine-colored golf polo might not only be his ``do-my-best'' shirt, but his ``lucky'' and ``major resiliency'' shirt as well.

Wilkins won his fourth QC Am title since 1997, but his first since 2000. His second QC Amateur Tour title in as many weeks took some extra work, though, beating two-time champ Brian Soucinek on the first playoff hole, taking advantage of Soucinek's aggressive play.

The two tied in regulation, Soucinek shooting a Sunday 2-under 70 to close at 143 when Wilkins fought through a three-bogey stretch early in his round (holes 3-5) to card a 73 when he drained an 18-foot downhill tester for birdie on the 36th hole.

The tournament actually was Dusty Drenth's to lose at one point. The St. Ambrose University standout was 5-under for his round before an unfortunate double-bogey/bogey run on Nos. 16 and 17 left him at 1-under 71/144, a stroke out of the playoff. He was tied with defending QC Amateur Tour Player of the Year Ben Peters (73-71—144).

The Wilkins-Soucinek playoff was a case of survival as much as skill.

Wilkins pulled his tee shot into a hazard left and needed help even finding his ball. He punched out toward the fairway, trying to salvage whatever he could.

Meanwhile, Soucinek pushed his tee ball right and had some minor tree trouble that he turned into major tree trouble.

``I played pretty aggressive,'' said Soucinek. ``I really wasn't paying attention to what Chris was doing over there and thought I could play the hole for a solid par. I actually hit a good shot and caught it the way I wanted to, but pushed it a tad bit and caught that oak right in the middle'' and it ricocheted into the fairway.

Both were left about the same distance into the par-5 hole and 3-woods from each left them in the front fringe. Wilkins was looking for his 56-degree wedge for his chip, but lost it somewhere on the course. Soucinek had trouble getting comfortable over his shot in the gusty wind and despite stepping away from his ball once, rushed a bad chip to about 25-feet and ran his par put past the cup

Wilkins then dropped his 15-footer for par and the victory.

``This is very sweet,'' said Wilkins. ``Right now, it feels better than most; maybe not quite as good as the first, but it feels very sweet.''