Coon Completes Family Golf Trilogy at Lyle Ambs Golf Tournament

Bentley Coon, center, is joined by grandfather, Rusty, left, and father, Brian, as winners of the Lyle Ambs Memorial Golf Tournament at Sharp Park. Photo by Jeff Steers/Jackson Golf Committee

Jeff Steers | Jackson Golf Committee

Sunday June 28th

Western High School sophomore Bentley Coon completed the family trilogy at the Lyle Ambs Memorial Golf Tournament at Sharp Park Sunday.

Coon won the championship flight with a 5&3 win over Zach DeFrain in the final Sunday afternoon.

He now joins his grandfather, Rusty, and father, Brian, as winners of the tournament. Rusty won the event in 1978 and Brian earned a victory in 1998.

It was a day of family for Bentley as his mother, Amanda, caddied for him during the tournament.

“She keeps me positive on the golf course,” Bentley said of his caddy. “She gives me advice here and there about what shots to hit.”

Bentley put the pedal to the metal in the championship match against DeFrain shooting a 30 on the front nine going 4 up after nine holes.

“I was just aggressive and made a few putts down the stretch,” Bentley said.

He was nine under par when the match ended on hole No. 15.

He joins Justin Bunch (2020) and Brien C. Charter (1943) as the youngest winners of the tournament.

DeFrain shot a 34 on the front side and 4 under par for 15 holes when the match ended. He defeated Andrew Boldt 4&2 to advance to the finals.

Bentley defeated Gabe Cooper 5&3 in the other championship flight semifinal match.

Luke Girodat defeated Andy Horodecki 5&4 to win the first flight title. He was 3 under par when the match ended on 15. Girodat defeated Jayce Swihart 4&3 in one semifinal and Horodecki defeated Brandon Kulka 2 up in the other semifinal match in the first flight.

Matt Brown won the second flight over John Gaston winning four-of-five holes to end the front nine with a 36. Gaston defeated Bryan Marvin 3&2 in one semifinal match and Brown beat Colin O’Connell 1 up in the other match.