2008 Boeing Classic Final Round Notes
HE RULES THE RIDGE - TOM KITE CAPTURES HIS SECOND BOEING CLASSIC TITLE
Tom Kite shot a final round score of 66, coming back from a three shot deficit behind Scott Simpson to clinch his second Boeing Classic title. Kite finished at -14 (69-67-66), two shots ahead of Simpson, who shot a 71 on Sunday to finish at -12 (67-66-71).
Kite made his push with five birdies on the back nine, tying Simpson at -12 on the 14th hole with a birdie to Simpson’s par. He went on to take a one-shot lead on the next hole with another birdie and never again relinquished the lead.
The 2006 and 2008 champion also came from three shots behind in his first victory at the Boeing Classic, two years ago prevailing over Don Pooley.
HE’S IN THE MONEY
With today’s win, Kite has solidified his position as the top money winner in Boeing Classic history. The two-time winner has amassed $644,120 in the tournament’s four-year history, well ahead of the second-ranked money winner, 2005 Champion David Eger, who has earned $361,959.
PAST CHAMPIONS – HOW THEY FARED
The tournament’s previous three champions obviously have an affinity for the Boeing Classic and TPC Snoqualmie Ridge. 2007 Champion Denis Watson put pressure on the leaders on Sunday, shooting a 6-under 66 to move up 12 places, finishing tied for 5th (74-67-66). Inaugural Champion David Eger, who made it to the seven-man playoff last year, shot two-under on Sunday and finished tied for 19th (70-72-70).
HOLE 14 SUMMARY
In the final round of the Boeing Classic, 33 players out of 77 shot for the green, more than any other day of the tournament. Of those who went for it, scores resulted in 15 birdies, 12 pars, four bogeys, one double bogey, and one triple bogey. Massy Kuramoto had the shot of the day when he put his tee shot 15 feet from the pin. On the other hand, Mike San Filippo struggled on 14, putting his first two tee shots into the canyon before putting a ball in play; he ended up shooting a triple bogey.
TOURNAMENT ATTENDANCE
With clouds turning to scattered showers on Championship Sunday, the tournament’s crowd for the final day of play totaled 16,000. With estimated attendance at 15,000 on Friday, 15,000 on Saturday and 2,500 for the events leading up to the competition, the total attendance for the week was 48,500.
WITH OUR THANKS: OVER 900 VOLUNTEERS - THE LARGEST IN TOURNAMENT HISTORY – IS BEHIND THE SUCCESS OF THE BOEING CLASSIC
The 2008 Boeing Classic experienced its largest volunteer turnout in the tournament’s four-year history. With significant contributions from the employees of Boeing and Virginia Mason Medical Center , the tournament was assisted by over 900 volunteers.
DATES SET FOR 2009 BOEING CLASSIC
The 2009 Boeing Classic is slated for August 24-30, 2009, at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge.