NOBLESVILLE, Ind. - Tom Beno of Warsaw and Rozella Ford Golf Course fired a 5-under-par 66, breaking the tournament and competitive course record, as he came from three shots behind to win the 27th annual Indiana Golf Association Tournament of Champions at Fox Prairie Golf Course.

In addition to breaking the tournament and course scoring record, Beno became the first player to win the Tournament of Champions in back-to-back years and just the fifth player to win multiple Tournament of Champions titles.

Beno's charge to the title really didn't begin until the final seven holes, which he played in 4-under-par. He did begin his day with a birdie at the par-5 first hole, but fell back to 1-over-par for the championship with a bogey at number two. He finished his front nine with a birdie at the 400-yard ninth hole.

After making two pars to begin his final nine holes, Beno was four shots out of the lead. He started his charge to the title with a birdie at the par-5 twelfth hole, and then followed that up by making a 10-foot putt for birdie at hole 13. At that point, Beno trailed leader Craig Scheibert of Carmel by one. Beno took his first lead of the day when he made another birdie at the fifteenth hole, as Scheibert was making bogey at number 13. Beno added his final birdie of the day at number 16, and then finished with two pars.

"It feels great to win this again," Beno said. "Obviously, I am very happy with the way I played today."

Beno's round of 66 was his career-best tournament round.

"I went out today and just wanted to make as many birdies as possible and my putter got hot on the back nine."

27th Annual IGA Tournament of Champions

FINAL RESULTS

May 4-5, 2001

Fox Prairie Golf Course, Noblesville, Ind.

71-71 - 142

1. Thomas Beno, Warsaw 72 66 138-4

2. Craig Scheibert, Carmel 69 72 141-1

3. Randy Nichols, Connersville 73 69 142-E

42. Jerry Nelson, Warsaw 86 71 157+15 [[In-content Ad]]