Photo by Kyle Coburn/NAPGT :: Story by Stacia Golem/NAPGT

August 8, 2007 (Harvard, MA)—After playing on the North American Pro Golf Tour on and off for seven years, Billy Downes, of Longmeadow, MA, finally got his win.

Coming into the final round leading the pack by two strokes brought him confidence and helped him eek out a five under, 208 to become the 2007 Shaker Hills Open champion.

“It just feels good to win,” said Downes whose last brush with victory came four years ago when Geoff Sisk took first after a playoff.

Although Downes was a tour regular for years, recently he has pared down competition due to family life and a full-time job.

“When you’re not playing a lot, it’s tough to build confidence,” he said. But Downes said he felt playing in a professional tournament this past weekend helped his motivation and performance at Shaker Hills.

Yesterday’s lead grew larger today with solid play on the front. At the turn Downes held a five stroke lead over his closest opponents, Harris, Svoboda, and Cone, all at four under. However, the difficult back nine sliced his padded lead.

“I putted horribly on the back nine,” said Downes. “I three-putted a couple times—just trying to play it safe.”

He said that nerves got the best of him but “…obviously had built a big enough cushion [to get the win].”

“I’m happy that it was good enough by one,” said Downes.

Those coming in just behind Downes tied for second at four under, 209, were Andrew Svoboda and day one’s co-leader Michael Harris.

After shooting a fantastic first day 67 and so close to the win, Harris was noticeably defeated. “Whatever I found on Monday I completely lost and I just didn’t play very well,” he said. “Disappointing, but that’s how it goes—that’s the game.”

Also notable at today’s event was Evan Harmeling, 19, of North Reading, MA, was the first amateur to make the cut in three years, finishing seventeenth.

Besides playing last year’s Mass Open, the NAPGT is Evan’s only other try at the pro circuit. “It’s good experience,” said Harmeling. “These guys are a lot better than I’m used to playing against.”

About to enter his freshman year at Princeton, this experience will only help come fall as a college golfer. On his first time making the cut in a professional tournament: “It felt awesome,” he said.