Tag: Bluestone Country Club

Marcus Byrd captures APGA’s Valley Forge Championship, earning second career win

Marcus Byrd played flawlessly in the final round to win.

Marcus Byrd won for the second time in the past 15 months on the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour, capturing the Valley Forge Championship on Wednesday at Bluestone Country Club in Pennsylvania.

Byrd made three puts of more than 40 feet during his first round and included nine birdies. He shot 6-under 65 to take a four-shot lead into the final round. There, he played strong, shooting 3-under 68 to finish at 9 under for the week and win by five strokes.

The 25-year-old rom Washington D.C., played collegiately at Middle Tennessee State and was a part of the First Tee growing up.

“My putter was hot, and that helped with the long putts (Tuesday) and a bunch of one-putt greens (Wednesday),” Byrd said. “My game is moving in the right direction.”

The fifth-place finisher in the regular-season Lexus Cup Point Standings, Byrd is now a contender for bonus pool prize money in the Farmers Insurance Fall Series, which concludes with events in Houston (October 25-26) and Los Angeles (November 9-10).

APGA Tour competition continues with the series’ first international tournament, the Butterfield Bermuda APGA Championship, on Oct. 11-12 at Port Royal Course in Southampton, Bermuda.

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Marcus Manley wins APGA Tour Valley Forge Championship, first win in two years

Marcus Manley won the first event on the APGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Fall Series.

Marcus Manley won the first event on the APGA Tour’s new Farmers Insurance Fall Series.

Manley had four birdies on his front nine and went on to win the Valley Forge Championship Wednesday at Bluestone Country Club outside Philadelphia.

He ended up posting a 1-over 72 but still won by five strokes over Trey Valentine. Davin White, Patrick Newcomb and Rovonta Young rounded out the top five.

Manley, 37, earned $7,500 from the $25,000 purse.

“There are always nerves,” said Manley. “But with the birdie on the first hole, I figured I’d calmed down. I changed my strategy on the back nine and focused on making par.

“The goal was to win and I accomplished the goal. It’s been awhile, so it feels good.”

The next Fall Series event will be Oct.17-19 at the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Atlanta Championship at White Oak Golf Club, followed by Nov. 7-9 at the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Fall Series Finale at Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles.