BROOKINGS -- Defending champion Chris Collins of Lead and Pat Lockwood of Brookings will meet in today's 36-hole finale in the SDGA Match Play Championship here at Brookings Country Club.
Collins, the winner of 11 consecutive matches over a two-year period, beat Gregg Melhus of Sioux Falls 1 up in Sunday's second semifinal match. Collins won the 12th hole to take a 1 up lead then halved the rest of the holes with Melhus to keep his hopes alive for a second consecutive championship.
In the first semifinal match of the afternoon Lockwood, playing his home course, defeated medalist Tim Kalil of Rapid City 2 and 1 to reach the championship match. Leading 1 up through 15 holes, Lockwood chipped in for birdie from behind the green on the par-4 16th hole for a 2 up advantage, then rolled in a 15-foot putt for par on the next hole to seal the match.
The championship match will begin at 8 a.m. today. The second 18 holes will begin at 12:30 p.m.
