Hartselle alum wins battle of the Tigers at the Spirit of America Classic
Hartselle alumnus Sam Murphy recently won the Spirit of America Classic held at Burningtree Country Club. He shot a 67 on the final day to win by four strokes over another Hartselle alum, Ryley Heath.
Murphy was a 2017 graduate of Hartselle High School, while Heath graduated in 2021.
Murphy started the final day tied with Heath atop the leaderboard after trailing by four shots after the first and second rounds.
The leaders were tied after eight holes, but Murphy made back-to-back birdies on holes nine and 10 to grad a two-shot advantage. Heath faltered down the stretch to finish second.
Murphy’s brother Mac, who shot a 67 on the final day to finish fifth, was the first person to congratulate Sam after walking off the 18th green.
Murphy, whose grandfather owned the country club for many years, is only the third Burningtree member to win the tournament. Members Alex Mahlik won in 2013 and Matt Gourgeot in 2016.
The Murphy brothers recently completed their college career at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La. The brothers will turn pro later this year after trying to qualify for the U.S. Amateur.
