John Sinovic wins
the BGA Metro Amateur Championship

2010 BGA Amateur Championship
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John Sinovic wins the BGA Metro Amateur
By Ian Thompson

The Birmingham Golf Association's Metro Amateur Championship was won Sunday by John Sinovic. He shot a round of two-under-par 70 at Vestavia Country Club to edge former State Amateur champion Eric Hamilton by a shot. Another former State Amateur champion, Talbert Griffin III, finished third after a round of 73.

This city championship, which is open to residents of Jefferson County and the six counties that touch Jefferson County, was played for the first time in five years. It was reduced to just one round after severe weather curtailed all play on Saturday, which was to have been played at Riverchase Country Club.

Sinovic won the 25-49 age group and the main championship. Former Metro Amateur champion John Stewart won the 50-64 age group with a round of 72. He pipped Jimmy Scott by a shot, with Bill Griffin, Dave Williams, David Head and Michael McFarland all on 74.

The 65-74 age group was won by John Gibbs after a 71. Bob Moody, who Saturday night was inducted into the BGA's Hall of Fame along with Jackie Cummings, shot a 79 to finish second.

The 75+ age group was won by Doyle Shaw over BGA Hall of Famers John Stamps, also on 79, and Bob Wise on 80.

Sinovic, 44, moved to Birmingham from Overland Park, Ks. for business a year and half ago. He won the Kansas State Amateur in 1985 and was runner-up in the Kansas State Amateur championship twice as well. He played for the University of Kansas, achieving All-American status in 1988.

He has played in five USGA championships (three amateurs, including 1986 at Shoal Creek, and two juniors).

Sunday's windy conditions suited his game having grown up in the wind in Kansas, he said.

"You have to use your imagination more when it's windy and that suits me as I'm very visually oriented on the golf course."

He made the turn in one-under-par (two birdies, one bogey), and after a par on No. 10, things got interesting. He left his second shot short of the green on No. 11 in the grass face of a bunker, but proceeded to hole the shot. He then holed his second shot for an eagle on the par 4 No. 12 from 85 yards with a sand wedge. So he then stood four-under-par and knew he had a great chance to win.

Dropped shots on Nos. 14, 15 and 16 didn't get him down and a birdie on 17 and rock solid par 4 on the tough finishing hole saw him home in 70.

"Gratifying is the word. I've been observing my own skills diminish and I believe some work I've been doing with the boys golf team at Oak Mountain High School has helped me with my own game. Particularly thinking better on the golf course."

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