January 14, 2010
-- Peoria, Ariz.

By Jon Levy - Staff Writer


With a birdie on Trilogy GC at Vistancia’s ticklish par-3 17th and a par on its challenging par-5 closer, 29-year-old, Scott Harrington (68/64/71-203, 13-under par) solidified the story of the Winter Series’ second week by slimly holding off Nathan Tyler (62/72/70-204) for a one-stroke victory, worth $16,000, in his first start of the year.

The title -- his second in three starts after winning the Desert Summer Series’ final event preceding the Gateway Tour Championship Presented by Mercy Medical last fall -- is an impressive feat that will instill confidence in the Northwestern University grad, for sure. But, after a disappointing near miss at q-school that left a bitter taste in his clubs during the off-season, this week’s win perhaps comes as a motivational catalyst as well.

“You know, I really felt like I played well all year last year and then to miss out at q-school by a shot at First Stage was just super disappointing to me,” said Harrington, who made over $44,000 on The Gateway Tour in ’09. “It still bugs me. I think the q-school hangover has just lasted a long time because after having been out on the Nationwide Tour a couple of different years (’04 & ’08), I felt like my game was ready to get me back there. But it just didn’t happen.”

“So, to be honest, it’s been tough for me to get motivated and excited for the year,” he continued. “But, to come out and win right away this week absolutely rejuvenates and reenergizes me for the rest of the year. I kind of feel like I’ve got the whole year ahead of me now and we’ll see where we can go with that.”

Supporting the notion of a slight disinterest in his upcoming season, Harrington was admittedly surprised to play so well after struggling with his golf swing in the weeks prior to this week; until some recent hard work with swing coach Dan Campbell, that was.

“Literally, a week ago, I was hitting it so bad,” said Harrington. “But, I had a couple of good days of work with (Campbell) and we were able to turn things around pretty quickly, so I definitely need to say a ‘thank you’ to him for that.”

“But, still, I really didn’t know what was going to come out this week,” he said.

After opening with a solid 4-under 68, followed by a stellar 8-under 64, highlighted by seven birdies and an eagle -- what came out was a two-shot lead over Tyler and the field with one round to play.

“With it being pretty breezy out there today and the course playing difficultly, I was really happy with how I hit the ball today,” surmised Harrington of his three-birdie, two-bogey final-round performance. “But, unlike the first two rounds when I was making a lot of putts, especially during that second round, I just couldn’t get much to drop today.”

“But, I’m proud of myself for sticking with it and not panicking out there, because I hit a lot of good shots coming in and ended up making a big putt on the 17th when I needed it,” he added.

His putt -- a 12-foot birdie-bid resulting from a solid 8-iron off of the tee -- found the bottom of the cup to break his deadlock with Tyler and jump to one shot lead with one to play, with Andrew Paulson (67/68/70-205, 3rd) already in the house at 11-under.

A matching par to Tyler’s on the last gave Harrington the final nod.

“That last hole, even though it’s a par 5, was no bargain because it was playing tough with the wind,” said Harrington. “So, to make that putt on (No.) 17 was huge because I was glad to have that little bit of cushion coming in.”

Even though Harrington didn’t play in last week’s Winter Series opener, the $16,000 payday from Vistancia jumps him to the top of the Desert Winter Series money list, seeing last week’s winner, Jesse Mueller, trailing by $1,500 after a T31 finish this week.

“Beside the thanks to (Campbell) I need to give, I’d also like to thank all of the people who’ve helped me to pursue this game,” stated Harrington in concluding reference to the week. “I can’t thank my sponsors, my family and my girlfriend enough for being so supportive and continuing to encourage me all this time.”

Following Harrington, Tyler and Paulson to round out the Top 5 in a tie for 4th, three strokes off of the winning pace, were Tom Kalinowski (70/67/69-205) and Andy Walker (67/69-70-206).


Click here for full field results from Vistancia and stay tuned as the Series returns again next week, January 19-21, at Raven GC at Verrado in Buckeye, Ariz…