David Bradshaw claims fourth Fuhrer Invitational title despite slow start

David Bradshaw struggled early in the final round of the Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational on Wednesday. He was 5-over-par through nine holes and had lost the lead.

But the Harpers Ferry, W.Va., native his kept cool, and if he kept his game together he still could have had a shot at winning the tournament for the fourth time.

A chip-in eagle on No. 15 and a birdie on No. 17 gave Bradshaw the lead heading to the last hole during a wild final round.

Bradshaw, West Palm Beach, Fla., native Piri Borja, Wexford’s Michael Van Sickle and Greensburg native Mark Goetz shared the lead during the final round. But it was Bradshaw’s tournament to lose after his birdie on No. 17 and Borja’s double-bogey on No. 18.

“I knew I had a two-shot lead,” Bradshaw said.

Bradshaw’s tee shot on the final hole landed short of the green in the trap. But he chipped to within 3 feet and sank the par putt for the win.

The 39-year old, a 12-time West Virginia Open champion, turned and walked to the edge of the green and looked out over the course reflecting on his victory and thinking about the late Frank B. Fuhrer Jr., who died May 21.

“There is so much adrenaline running through your body, you just kind to have to calm yourself down after such an intense moment,” Bradshaw said. “You want to take a moment, look out, have a nice exhale and thank Frank.

“There were so many times I walked off No. 18 and walked up the hill, and for 11 years he’s been sitting in the rocking chair in his gold sweater even though it’s 100 degrees outside. There is nothing to be sad about. He led a long, great life.”

Bradshaw said even though he didn’t score well on the front nine, he made two poor swings the entire round.

“Other than the two swings, I didn’t make a bad swing on this golf course, and I was 5-over-par,” Bradshaw said. “This course played so tough. The ball was bouncing, and the greens were firm and fast. The pins were in the most difficult positions.

“I looked at my dad and said we made 20 good swings on the front nine, and let’s do it again on the back and maybe our luck would change and, sure enough, it did.”

The chip-in for eagle for eagle gave him life and the lead.

“I knew I could possibly hole out the bunker shot,” Bradshaw said. “I hit it where I wanted, and it went in.”

After a bogey on No. 16, he birdied from 12 feet on No. 17.

Moments earlier, Borja made a 70-footer for birdie that gave him the lead. His drive on No. 17 hit a tree to the right of the fairway, and the ball ricocheted into the fairway.

“The golf gods, they’re a handful sometimes,” Borja said. “They giveth and they taketh away. I got a few breaks. I made a miraculous birdie putt.

“I left myself in a tough spot in No. 18. I didn’t take my medicine, and I tried to get a little too cute. It’s a learning situation for me.”

Goetz, who was a shot behind Bradshaw to begin the round, struggled with consistency.

He three-putted for bogey on No. 1, and then he bogeyed No. 4.

He got a shot back with a birdie on No. 5, but a bogey on No. 6 and a double-bogey on No. 7 left him 4-over on the front nine.

Goetz had a strong contingent from Hannastown Golf Club following him. He bogeyed No. 10 but recovered with a birdie on No. 11. Then a double-bogey on No. 12 seemed to put him out of the running.

Still, Goetz was pleased with his performance in his first pro event and hopes to build on it.

“It took me two years to get my feet under me in college,” Goetz said. “I know I have a lot to learn, and I’m always trying to pick up little things.

“These are great experiences that you can’t get anywhere than playing in high-level tournaments. It was fun.”

Irwin native Dan Obremski had the best score in the fourth round, shooting a 2-under 68 that vaulted him into a third-place tie with Van Sickle at 3-over 283.

Eric Cole, Thadd Obecny II and Goetz tied for fifth at 4-over, and Oakmont’s Spencer Mellon finished eighth at 7-over.

Wexford’s Jimmy Meyers was the low amateur at 11-over.

Frank Fuhrer III said afterward that his dad’s wishes were to have at least one more tournament after he died. The final Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational will be held in 2023 at the Pittsburgh Field Club, and then the format will change.