Photo by Bill Green Middletown's Alex Hoffman captured his first state title on Wednesday at the University of Maryland Golf Course, thanks in part to two missed playoff putts by counterpart Brandon Powers of Bel Air. Even so, Hoffman said, "I was playing to win."
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Bel Air's Brandon Powers missed two short putts in a two-hole playoff, helping Hoffman claim the individual title Wednesday on the University of Maryland Golf Course.

"I had my hat off and was ready to shake his hand," Hoffman said after watching Powers' 4-foot putt to win the title lip out on the first playoff hole.

"I was like, 'Wow.'"

Powers missed a chance to extend the playoff to a third hole by missing another 4-footer and Hoffman replaced the flag stick as Frederick County's first state golf champion since Walkersville graduate Jimmy Cunningham won it in 1998.

"I was playing some good golf before I came in here and had some good rounds with my practice rounds. I did think it was possible," Hoffman said.

He played two sterling rounds on his way to the title. His even par 71 Tuesday was followed by a 1-under 70 Wednesday, including a 10-foot birdie on No. 18 to qualify for the playoff.

"I watched him for a little while today and I left him. He had four holes to go and he was down by a couple. I couldn't watch anymore," Middletown coach Mike Fox said.

"I thought Alex is Alex. He's pressure all the way and he came back."

Hoffman birdied three of his final four holes prior to the playoff. He nearly made an eagle on No. 16 before tapping in for birdie.

His lone bad hole in that stretch came on No. 17, a short par 4.

After putting for eagle on the hole a day earlier, Hoffman hooked his drive into the trees on the left side of the fairway. His punch out struck a tree branch and fell short of the green.

He eventually made a 6-foot putt for bogey.

"I looked at one of the guys I was playing with and just smiled. I had to get over it. I knew I still had a shot," Hoffman said.

He ripped a drive down the middle of the fairway on No. 18, a 440-yard par 4, and then put his approach shot to within 10 feet, pumping his fist after it rolled to a stop.

"Originally, I was going to lag (the putt) up there and go for par to either win or go into a playoff," Hoffman said.

"Then, I decided to just go for it and made the birdie. I am glad I didn't leave it short."

The playoff was played on hole Nos. 1 and 2 before a large gallery of spectators, coaches and other players.

"I have played before some small ones before, but not that big," Hoffman said. "I thought it was pretty cool."

Powers, wearing bright red slacks and a black shirt, elected not to use his driver on either hole. He used an iron on the first hole and a 3-wood on the second.

His tee shots were well short of Hoffman, who chose to use driver on both.

"I was playing to win," Hoffman said. "I knew since the ground was wet, I had no chance of reaching the water hazard on either hole. I knew I was fine."

After Hoffman hit his second shot over the green with a 9-iron, Powers chipped his third shot four feet past the hole.

Hoffman flubbed his chip shot and then missed a 25-footer for par, giving Powers the chance to win with his short putt.

Neither he nor Hoffman could believe it did not go in.

"I thought I read it right. I thought I made a good stroke. It just didn't happen to go in," Powers said. "Obviously, today was not my day."

After Hoffman reached the green on No. 2 in two, Powers again chipped his third shot to within 4 feet.

Hoffman two-putted for par and Powers seemed to strike his par putt too hard. It hit the hole and quickly popped out, clinching the championship for Hoffman.

With a broad smile splashed across his face, he went over to receive congratulations from Fox and his freshman teammate and fellow state qualifier Corianne King, who shot a 94 Wednesday to finish with a two-round total of 178.

Hoffman has won the club championship at Black Rock Golf Course and the Washington County Amateur championship, but he called this his biggest win to date.

"Hopefully, I'll have a few more shots at this," he said. "I am one of the younger ones."