Dexheimer wins King Crab Classic

July 29, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH/Frontiersman

PALMER - As the saying goes, to be the best, you've got to beat the best.

Aaron Dexheimer did just that Saturday at Palmer Golf Course, winning a head-to-head duel with Anchorage pro Billy Bomar to win the AMI/Lakeview King Crab Classic.

&#8220It feels good to beat the ‘King of Alaska,'” Dexheimer said, referring to Bomar's knack for winning big Alaska tournaments.

Seattle's Scott Taylor finished second at seven-under par.

Bomar, who started the day with a one-shot lead over Dexheimer, shot three-over 75 to drop into a third-place tie with Rich Lundahl at five-under.

&#8220Dex played good all day long,” Bomar said. &#8220He deserved it.”

Dexheimer finished the three-day tournament at 11-under and was the only golfer in the 22-man field to break 70 on all three days. His 68 Sunday was the day's best round.

Playing in the final pairing of the afternoon, Bomar and Dexheimer went back and forth over the first few holes Saturday, with the duo tied up at the turn.

That's when the San Diego professional - who spent his summers as a youngster honing his game on the Kenai Peninsula - turned up the heat. Dexheimer birdied three of the first five holes on the back nine, and didn't have a higher number than a three on his card until the 15th hole, and finished the inward nine in just 32 strokes.

Bomar, meanwhile began to fade as the round wore on. Normally one of the best putters in the field, the Tanglewood Lakes head pro said his flat stick let him down late in Saturday's round.

&#8220I hit the first 14 greens in regulation,” he said. &#8220I just didn't putt.”

The final turning point in the tournament came on the par-4 14th, a straight-ahead 440-yard hole into a tight green. With Dexheimer leading the tournament by two strokes, Bomar was far from out of the running - until he ran a short par putt past the hole for a nasty bogey. Combined with Dexheimer's third birdie in five holes, the three-putt bogey proved too much for Bomar to recover from, and he limped home with a 38 on the back.

For his win, Dexheimer took home a $5,000 check for first place and a big shot of confidence. He said the King Crab was only his third pro tournament of the year, as he's struggled to find sponsors and remain confident in his game.

&#8220It's tough,” he said. &#8220But today was a good day.”

Dexheimer admitted he was nervous heading into Saturday's final round, especially having to play against Bomar, who has ruled the state's professional scene for much of the past decade. But rather than be intimidated by Bomar, Dexheimer said he was able to relax because he and Bomar are good friends who get along well no matter who happens to be winning.

&#8220He's one of my good friends,” Dexheimer said.

Being both friend and foe with Bomar, he said, may have helped him be loose enough to play well but focused enough not to let up.

&#8220He definitely keeps you on your game,” Dexheimer said.

But while the two remain good friends, Dexheimer admitted the victory may have been a little more sweet because it came against arguably the best golfer in the state.

&#8220It was good to beat him.”

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth

@frontiersman.com

AMI/Lakeview King Crab Classic

Settlers Bay Golf Course (Thursday)

Palmer Golf Course (Friday-Saturday)

$25,000 purse

Par 216

1. A. Dexheimer 69-68-68 - 205 $5,000

2. Scott Taylor 68-71-70 - 209 $4,000

3. Billy Bomar 67-69-75 - 211 $2,750

Rich Lundahl 75-67-69 - 211 $2,750

5. James Contreras 72-69-71 - 212 $2,250

6. Ryan Sparks 70-75-69 - 214 $2,000

7. Hunter Blake 72-70-75 - 217 $1,625

Conner Robbins 74-70-73 - 217 $1,625

9. Rob Nelson 71-74-73 - 218 $1,500

Tommy Pidduck 76-72-70 - 218 $1,500

11. Jon Baker 74-73-72 - 219 -

Joe Butler 73-74-72 - 219 -

13. Ryan Leonard 76-74-70 - 220 -

14. Bryan Anderson76-74-71 - 221 -

15. Bill Engberg 73-76-74 - 223 -

JeffAufderheide 73-72-78 - 223 -

17. John McBride 75-76-76 - 227 -

18. Jeremy Hainline 75-73-80 - 228 -

19. Mark Dolesji 76-77-76 - 229 -

Chris Wright 74-82-73 - 229 -

21. Rusty Aveyrt 79-81-79 - 239 -

22. Mark Lynch 82-82-81 - 245 -