Media Coverage

Featuring Rotarian Roger Newsom

Newsom cruises to second State Open title

Staff Report, The Virginian-Pilot - 7/18/2011

MIDLOTHIAN
The Farmington Cup will remain in Virginia Beach.

Beach amateur Roger Newsom played his worst round Sunday at the SunTrust State Open at Independence Golf Club, yet pulled away from the field.

Newsom’s 1-under-par 71 capped an eight-stroke victory for his second title. The 2008 champion was 18 under over four days – just missing the record of 20 under set by Robert Wrenn in 1991 and equaled by Virginia Beach’s Evan Beck last year.

Beck, an amateur who just completed his sophomore season at Wake Forest, matched Chester pro Rick Schuller's low round of 66 on Sunday. They finished tied for second at 10 under.

Newsom, a 47-year-old ophthalmologist, opened with three rounds in the 60s (65-67-67) to take a six-shot lead into the final round.

“I was working as hard as I could work,” Newsom said. “The last day, the pressure ramps up about 100 percent, so you have to try to ramp up your game. It’s harder to play the last day like you do the first day. You’re kind of loose and free-wheeling the first day and the last day, you know what’s on the line.”

A year after Beck became the event’s youngest champion, Newsom is the oldest winner since Vinny Giles’ victory in 1993 as a 50-year-old.

Newsom is the 20th two-time winner in the event’s 111 years.

“In the back of my mind – no one really understands this – but for me it was: ‘Was the first State Open a fluke for me?’” said Newsom. “I wondered if it was just a fluke or if I’m a good golfer. I think I proved myself today and I feel a lot better. I got it done.”

He had three birdies and two bogeys in becoming the first competitor since Appomattox pro Faber Jamerson in 2009 to never relinquish the top spot after leading the first day.

Newsom had 21 birdies and three bogeys in the four days. As the top pro, Schuller claimed the top check of $7,000.

“I was playing my heart out to finish third.” said Schuller, the PGA teaching professional at Swader’s Sports Park in Prince George.

Virginia Beach amateur Mike Redwood finished tied for 12th at 3 under and Beach pro Jon Corliss was 3 over and tied for 21st.


Also see:
News Releases
Back to Newsroom