North Carolina State University Athletics
Mitchum wins Carolinas PGA Championship, POY honors
10/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Former NC State golfer Kelly Mitchum, a four-time All-America for the Wolfpack, added another Carolinas PGA Professional Championship to his already bulging trophy case, when he defeated Lance Reid on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff following the final round at The Club at Longview on Oct. 12.
The victory wrapped up Mitchum's third consecutive Carolinas PGA Player of the Year honors and earned him exemptions into three PGA Tour events that will be played in the Carolinas next year: The Heritage in Hilton Head, S.C.; the Wachovia Championship in Charlotte; and the Wyndham Championshipin Greensboro.
Mitchum, who plays part-time professionally and is the lead teaching instructor at the Pinehurst Resort, also won $6,000 for his come-from-behind victory.
Reid had led the tournament for two days and owned a two-shot lead over Mitchum going into the final round. Mitchum, however, played a steady round in swirling winds, carding a 72 to Reid's 74. After hitting his approach shot into a sand bunker, Mitchum made a 15-foot par-saving putt on the next-to-last hole, the par-5 17th, forced the playoff.
“I thought I had hit a pretty good shot but the wind decided otherwise, and I found myself in a bit of trouble instead of on the
green,” Mitchum said. “But my putter came through and I was lucky to dodge a bullet.”
Mitchum made par on the first hole of sudden-death, while Reid hit his second shot into a water hazard.
Mitchum never made it as a full-time PGA Tour player, but he has been a regular qualifier for events the last four years. He has played in 12 Tour events since 2003, including the last two PGA Championships.While at NC State, Mitchum won medalist honors the 1991 ACC Championship and was twice named twice named Academic All-America, to go along with his four consecutive All-America honors.
He won the 1993 North & South Championship at Pinehurst, was a semifinalist at the 1992 U.S. Amateur and won the 2003 South Carolina Open. He has also won six CPGA Championships.
