Dave McGovern of Brooklake Country Club and Jim McGovern of White Beeches Golf and Country Club had played together as a team before, but never against each other in a playoff.
The two brothers posted a 1-over 145 after two rounds to meet in a playoff, where Dave McGovern prevailed in two playoff holes for his first Cutter and Buck Head Professional Championship sponsored by Bushnell and Mizuno.
“Being one of nine kids, I always wanted to beat my older brothers,” Dave McGovern said. “I started to doubt myself at 46 if I can still hang around and win one, so this feels great.”
On the first playoff hole, Dave McGovern missed a short-putt to win, but kept his head composed to keep his chances going.
“It was definitely in my head, the thought of winning,” Dave McGovern said when standing over his putt.
During the second round, Dave McGovern was 4-under through 16 holes, but bogeyed his last two to finish at 1-over through 36.
Dave McGovern was in a pairing with Lou Kubisa of Knob Hill Golf Club, who went on his way to win for the second time at Alpine Country Club last year.
“I learned a lot from Lou last year, playing in the final group with him,” Dave McGovern said.
Dave McGovern has a handful of team victories, but had never held a trophy as an individual. His most recent win came at the 2017 Frosty Pro Pro Championship, where he teamed with his brother, Jim McGovern. Dave McGovern has also won three Pro Assistant Championships and the Pro Lady Championship.
“I had won a few assistant events, but never as an individual as a head pro,” Dave McGovern said.