b'GOLF IDAHOFalls native was seeking his second IGA championship of the summerwinning the Match Play for a second consecutive SMITHS SEASON: year in Juneand had momentum going into the Mens Amateur after making it The 96th Mensinto the semifinals at the PNGA Mens Amateur a week earlier. McArthur was coming off an 8-under 63 and is a Amateur Championship player that Idahos elite amateurs have increasingly recognized as one of the most talented Idaho golf products in recent memory. It was an absolute dogfight out there today, Smith said. The two guys I played with are exceptional young players; I look forward to watching them continue in the game. Their careers are on a great trajectory. After four holes in the final round, Smith took his first outright lead of the championship, but he and Lekkerkerk went back and forth at the top of the leaderboard for most of the round. And when McArthur birdied the 15th, all three players were tied at the top, and thats how it remained as they stood on the tee of the 18th hole, a reachable par 5.This was a moment where Smiths background in big moments at the Nate Smith highest level seemed to give him an edge. He was the only player to find the middle of the green with his second shot, F ourteen years ago in Midland, Texas,dont care as much as I used to, but I stillplaying away from the tucked left pin Nate Smith holed a 35-foot birdie puttcare a lot. And this means a lot, especiallyover the water, leaving himself a quality on the 72nd hole to earn his first andgetting it done on the last hole. Youlook at eagle from 25 feet. Lekkerkerk only win on the Korn Ferry Tour at thealways want to see your competitor dotwo-putted for par, and McArthur was WNB Golf Classic.something exceptional to beat youyoustaring at a three-foot putt for birdie. Now 40the better part of a decadedont want to win on a mistakeand IWhen Smith drained his eagle putt, removed from the day he tucked hisfelt like I went out and took it from them.the game was over. clubs away, letting dust collect soThats rare. Its difficult to win golf tournaments, he could build a life away from theBefore that eagle putt tumbled intoSmith said afterward. Ive been doing professional gameSmith found himselfthe heart of the hole, Smith enteredthis for a long timewith a hiatusbut stalking a 25-foot putt for eagle, tied forthe final round as the least knownit never gets any easier. You have to the lead with two college sophomorescommodity in the final pairing, despitecelebrate these times because golf is full on the final hole of the 96th Idaho Menshis professional pedigree. Derekof disappointment more often than it is Amateur Championship at BanBury GolfLekkerkerk stood on the first tee with awith success. And so when it happens Course. And just like that day at Midlandtwo-stroke lead over Smith and recentits really special. I feel blessed to be in Country Club, he walked off the finalIGA Junior standout Ashton McArthur.this moment and Im just thankful that green holding the trophy.Lekkerkerk had posted bogey-freeeverything came together.Im just flooded with emotions,scores of 30 on BanBurys front nine Smith said after the final round. Maybe Ieach of the first two rounds. The TwinShane Ren, USGA P.J. Boatwright InternGOLF IDAHO|SEPT 20245'