RICHMOND, Ky. — Justin Tereshko was already on his way home. He finished his final round about 30 minutes ahead of the leaders, looked at the scoreboard and decided the odds were against him. He got in his car and headed to his mother-in-law’s to pick up his kids.

Then his phone rang. It was Erik Stauderman, the Kentucky Golf Association’s (KGA) Tournament Director telling him to turn around and come back for a possible playoff.

Tereshko swung through the Dairy Queen drive-thru for a purple Enchanted Oreo Blizzard and made it back to Gibson Bay Golf Course just in time to tee off. Two holes later, he was the champion of the 32nd Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Kentucky Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Tereshko said. “It’s all happened so fast. Thirty minutes after I finish, I look and see that there’s a guy, I think, one over and two guys at two over, and the odds of all three faltering weren’t very good. That’s why I got in the car and left.”

Tereshko (Keene Trace GC) began Friday 5 over par through 36 holes. Facing cold temperatures and strong winds, he posted a 1-under 71, the low round of the day, and climbed 10 spots to finish at 4-over 220. He birdied Nos. 2 and 8 for a front-nine 34. He gave two shots back with a double bogey on No. 11 and a bogey on No. 13, then answered with three consecutive birdies on Nos. 14, 15 and 16.

His par on the final hole turned out to be just as important.

“I had no idea that my up-and-down from under the tree long right on 18 would end up being a difference maker,” Tereshko said.

Kyle Jury began the final round as the solo leader at 2 under. He played the front nine at even par, but six bogeys on the back nine led to a 78 and dropped him to 220. Christian Tooley (Indian Hills CC) was 2 over for the round with one hole to play, and a double bogey on No. 18 gave him a 74 and sent him into the playoff as well.

The playoff was played on No. 18. Tooley made bogey on the first playoff hole and was eliminated, while Tereshko and Jury both made par. Back on No. 18 for the second playoff hole, Tereshko made par to win.

The title adds to a collection for Tereshko, who has also won the Kentucky Open and the Kentucky Amateur. It also ends a long chase. He contended for this title in 2018 and finished third in each of the last two years. Before moving to Kentucky, he was a two-time runner-up at the North Carolina State Mid-Amateur, he said.

“I let this one slip through my hands in 2018, and I’ve been clawing it back ever since,” Tereshko said. “For whatever reason, the Mid-Am seemed to be the monkey on my back. This one’s going to feel good tonight.”

With the title secured, Tereshko’s first call was to the people he’d been heading home to. He walked inside to FaceTime his wife and kids.

“I wouldn’t be able to play any golf or do anything without the support of my wife,” Tereshko said. “She’s a saint. I have no idea why she’s still with me. But she means the world to me. She is the best, biggest supporter, and I couldn’t do any of it without her.”

Andrew Buse (University of Louisville GC), Alex Wright (Griffin Gate GC) and Luke Fuller (Lexington CC) tied for fourth at 5-over 221, one shot out of the playoff. Buse closed with an even-par 72, the second-best round of the day among the leaders. Fuller, whose opening 70 earned him a share of the first-round lead, was hurt by a triple bogey on No. 17 in the final round.

The championship was scheduled for 36 holes on Thursday and 18 on Friday, and was ranked in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. A weather delay Thursday morning pushed play back, and the second round was suspended due to darkness. Players returned Friday morning to complete the second round before the final round began.

Full results are available at https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5713850.

The Kentucky Golf Association extends its gratitude to Clark’s Pump-N-Shop for its title sponsorship and continued support of golf in the Commonwealth, to Sterling Cut Glass for providing the championship trophies, to Tournament Solutions for providing tee gifts, and to Gibson Bay Golf Course and its staff for hosting this year’s championship.

About the KGA

The Kentucky Golf Association (KGA) is the official governing body for amateur golf in the Commonwealth, as recognized by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Established in 1911, the KGA is a full-service organization representing more than 120 member golf courses across Kentucky. Led by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of course representatives from throughout the state, the KGA plays a vital role in promoting, supporting, and growing the game of golf in Kentucky. It is also a founding member of Golf House Kentucky, the umbrella organization for Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations. As an Allied Golf Association of the USGA, the KGA is responsible for a wide range of services, including managing the World Handicap System, conducting course ratings, providing expertise on the Rules of Golf, running competitive tournaments and USGA qualifiers, and enhancing the visibility and branding of golf throughout the Commonwealth.