The 75th Diamond Anniversary edition of the Grenada Invitational Golf Tournament turned into a two-horse race between Joseph Deraney of Tupelo and Josh Lampley of Gulfport.
Deraney trailed by one shot heading into the final round on Sunday, Aug. 3, at the Grenada Golf and Racquet Club. He rallied to a take two-shot lead with two holes to play. He lost that lead on the 17th hole thanks to a double bogey, which put both golfers tied a 2-under with one hole remaining.
On the 18th hole, Deraney finished with a birdie to end the weekend at 3-under. The birdie was his 10th of the tournament and helped him win the tournament, edging Lampley, who shot par on the final hole to end the tournament at 2-under.
“I thought I played well all weekend,” Deraney said. “In the last eight holes, I hit the ball well, but couldn’t convert those birdie chances I had. On the 16th hole, I missed a 10-footer for birdie. The following hole, I hit a poor tee shot next to the hazard, and my next shot went over the green and I ended up double-bogey. That sent us to the final hole tied.”
Deraney needed four shots on the final hole, including an eight-foot putt to claim the title, his first title in three tries in Grenada.
“It always feels good to end on a birdie and win,” Deraney concluded. “This is my third or fourth Grenada Invitational and it feels good to finally get the win.”
Deraney came into the tournament with 137.5 points in the Player of the Year standings.
Third place went to Drew Wilson of Hickory Flat, who ended at 1-under. Jake Ware of Winona finished fourth at 4-over. Maddux McMinn of Senatobia shot 5-over followed by Brent Parker of Biloxi, who also shot 5-over.
Other Flights
Jonathan Sultan of Grenada won the First Flight with a 9-over followed by Ethan Smith of Pass Christian at 10-over. Joe Monteith of Grenada was third at 11-over.
Harris Gholston of Senatobia captured the Grand Masters (ages 70+) division with a score of 7-over. Benjamin Lambert of Grenada won the Non-Championship First Flight with a score of 22-over. Grenadians Stephen Hannan (22-over), Marshall Whittemore (33-over) and Payne Horan (34-over) finished second through fourth, respectively.
Grenadian Hap Brister won the Senior Division shooting a 6-over followed by Monty Hilton of Brandon, who finished with a 9-over. Barry Finnie of Batesville won the Non-Championship Division with a score of 13-over.
