Bartman/Booker Claim Carlton Woods titles

David Bartman (left) and Mark Steinbauer of Carlton Woods

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (May 13, 2011) -- David Bartman, of Los Angeles CA, shot a one under par 71 to win the 6th Carlton Woods Invitational Mid-Am Division by one shot over Dusty Smith of Beaumont TX and by two over Mark Knecht of Paducah KY. Bartman’s round had some “downs and ups” in winds that increased throughout the day.

Bartman's hard wedge on the short par-3 12th hole found the water in front of the green, and he needed to make an 8 foot putt for bogey. On the long par-3 17th, he hit a 3-iron to 3 feet and made birdie.

Playing behind first round leader Dusty Smith, Bartman watched from the 18th fairway as Smith made a 10 foot par putt that Bartman thought was a birdie. Thinking he needed birdie to tie, he hit a 3-wood from the rough on the par-5 and found the greenside bunker. A fine sand shot set up a short birdie putt for the win.

Mike Booker (rt) and Mark Steinbauer of Carlton Woods

University of Houston alum Mike Booker won the Senior Division by five shots over Jerry Hudgins, of Kingwood. Booker is a member and former Club Champion at The Club at Carlton Woods, and believes "It’s sometimes harder to play at your own course, in front of your friends, with higher expectations.”

For Booker, the challenge of the round was staying in the present and not losing focus. He played a steady round hitting 15 of 18 greens. His round felt good all the way around, but he knew a low score could come out of one of the groups ahead. He finished the round with a utility wood from 213 yards that set up a 15 foot eagle putt and a two-putt birdie on the 18th hole.

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