It was a tough battle for nine holes, and then Joseph Deraney did what he came to do.
The former Mississippi State golfer became the first to win back-to-back Greenwood Country Club Invitational championships in more than 10 years on Sunday, holding off a strong group of golfers who were breathing down his neck. Deraney, who lives near Tupelo in Beldon, shot a final-round 3-under-par 69 to win the 72nd annual GCC Invitational with a three-day total of 17 under.
The two-time former Canadian Mid-Amateur champ finished three shots clear of runner-up Tucker Jenkins of Baldwyn, who also finished second to Deraney in 2019. The last to capture two straight at GCC was another former MSU player, Josh Oller (2007-2008).
Deraney and Madison’s Robert Denton were tied at 14 under through 11 holes Sunday, but the former Bulldog birdied two of the next three holes for a little separation. Deraney never looked back as Denton made consecutive bogeys at holes 12 and 13. Denton shot 72 to finish at 12 under.
Jenkins shot 68 to close things out. He lost in a sudden-death playoff a year ago after rain washed out the last round.
Delta State golfer Landon Carner began Sunday tied for the lead and wound up tied for third, four shots back of Deraney, after a third-round 73.
Scott Rhodes of Ridgeland (65-68-72) took fifth place at 11 under.
On the local front, Michael Naaman (68-71-73 ) had the best GCC member showing by tying for 10th, while fellow Greenwoodian Steve Pannell (69-71-79) finished 14th. Alan Ellis (68-73-72), the last local to win the event, finished at 3 under.
Former Greenwood resident and Pillow Academy product Anthony Ola Jr., now of Madison, wound up 13th at even par for three days after a tough round on Sunday.
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
