Experience has played an essential role in golfer Brian Maurer's prior success, yet it had little to do with his playoff victory Monday at the Indiana PGA Northern Open.
Competing under amateur status, the Ball State University senior sunk a 10-foot-par putt on the first playoff hole to ensure his sudden-death victory against professionals Chad Hutshell, 36, Quinn Griffing, 50, and Cary Hungate, 51. The foursome forced a playoff after hitting tying rounds of 5-under-par 67 at the Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth.
Despite more than 60 rounds at the collegiate level, this was Maurer's first sudden-death playoff since competing in high school.
"I was nervous, especially being the only amateur of the four guys, but that's why you practice all those hours to try and put yourself in that position," Maurer said. "Fortunately for me, I was able to pull through."
Ball State men's golf coach Mike Fleck was traveling out West during Maurer's victorious run but had the opportunity to follow the event online and through word-of-mouth. Fleck said the win will pay dividends for Maurer entering his final year as a Cardinal.
"That's the thing, you go through the summer, and you find success and gain confidence," Fleck said. "This is going to boost Brian and help him continue his successful ways during the summer and hopefully into the fall."
Maurer is no stranger to the Indiana PGA Tour. He also won the 2007 IGA McDonald's Stroke Play event in Franklin, but he places more value on his most recent victory.
"This one means a little bit more because a lot of good club pros around the state came here to play - last year was all amateurs," Maurer said. "Hopefully, this puts my name on the map that I am capable of playing at this level."
The day seemed as if it would be a long one for Maurer after bogeying his first hole. That proved to be his only miscue of the day, however, as he quickly bounced back with consecutive birdies on holes three and four. He also recorded birdies at seven, eight, 16 and 17.
Maurer was one of four Ball State golfers to place at or below par on the day. Ross Cosat placed in a tie for seventh at 3-under, while Eric Steger [-1] and Andrew Rhodes [E] also finished in the top 21 of the 146-man field.
Fleck placed a special emphasis on his team's performance at this noncollegiate event as they prepare to improve upon their third-place Mid-American Conference finish last season.
"[The summer] is the time of year where they have to go out and be strong with their games," Fleck said. "The better we can have guys playing, the better off we're going to have guys playing in the fall, and hopefully maintain that into the spring season."
That philosophy is one Maurer buys into, and he said he is confident his team will show noticeable improvement during the upcoming season.
"Next May when the MAC championship comes around, our team will hopefully be able to get over the hump and into the NCAA tournament," Maurer said.
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