Kortan wins Capital One Classic

The Capital One Classic at Ellendale Country Club was shortened for the first time in its six-year history.

Heavy rains late Thursday night and early Friday morning waterlogged several holes and flooded the bayous surrounding the golf course. Adams Pro Tour Series officials canceled the final two rounds of the tournament.

Despite the weather, Albuquerque resident Brian Kortan was crowned the champion and awarded the $15,000 first prize. Kortan finished the 36-hole tournament shooting 12-under par for a final score of 132.

The 2007 Capital One Classic winner, Adam Meyer of Waco, Texas, came in second with a 10-under par score. Ryan Nelson of Dickinson, Texas placed third, shooting 9-under par.

“We tried to get another 18 holes in on Saturday. We took a wait-and-see approach, but it would have taken too long to get this course tournament ready,” said Tyler Wolford, the Adams Pro Tour director. “Even if we were here until Monday, we still probably couldn’t play all four rounds.”

“This isn’t the first time an event has been canceled,” he added. “The pros know you can’t do anything with Mother Nature.”

Kortan said he hoped the tournament could have continued, but understood why the decision was made.

“Me and Mother Nature were the winners,” he joked. “I didn’t have any idea it was raining that much. I drove (to Ellendale on Friday), and I couldn’t even get in the parking lot because there was so much water. I feel bad not only for the golfers, but because a lot of people in this area are out of their houses.”

For the 38-year-old husband and father of two sons, the victory has an extra special meaning.

It was his first tournament win since suffering a heart attack in August 2006, which kept him off the golf course for nearly a year.

“I was playing a tournament in South Dakota, where I’m originally from, and I went to bed one night and had a heart attack,” Kortan said. “I’m a young guy in good shape. It was kind of a fluke deal. It’s just an unfortunate thing that I have bad genetics.”

Kortan spent eight days in a Sioux Falls hospital.

Doctors told him that he lost 40 to 50 percent of his heart function. They inserted three stents into his coronary arteries and implanted an abdominal defibrillator in his chest.

“The good news is (the defibrillator) hasn’t had to shock my heart since the doctors put it in,” Kortan said.

He has played the Adams Pro Tour Series off and on for six years. He has made it to the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour, playing in the 2008 United States Open, and the Nationwide Tour, but he has never won an event on those circuits.

This was Kortan’s third victory on the Adams Pro Tour Series and his first in three appearances at the Capital One Classic.

He started the tournament on the back nine. After parring his first five holes, he birdied six of the next seven.

“I had great drives off the tee and set myself up really well for those birdie opportunities,” Kortan said. “Fortunately, I made them.”

He shot a six-under 66 on both days of the tournament to earn the victory.

“We play a sport where you don’t get to win very often, so anytime you do, it’s a great feeling,” Kortan said.

This year’s tournament had the largest field ever with 124 players. Wolford believes moving the tournament from May to March to coincide with the Nationwide Tour event in Lafayette last week was a key reason for the huge draw.

“The competition level was the best it’s been in my four years I have been involved with the event,” Wolford said. “We had three past champions playing this year (Meyer, 2008 winner Mark Walker and 2006 winner Jaxon Brigman, both tied for 21st at two-under par.)

Despite the weather problems, Wolford said he would like to see the Capital One Classic open the Adams Tour schedule again next year.

“That would be ideal,” he said. “I think everybody wants us back based on conversations with officials with Capital One and Ellendale. We love coming down here and the pros love the hospitality.”

Kortan was especially grateful to his host family, Steven and Jeanne Caldarera and their son Graham. It was the first time that he has stayed with a host family.

“It was great. They welcomed me in their home,” Kortan said. “We talked and learned about each other. We went to the Pro-Am banquet (last Tuesday). It’s very relaxing compared to staying at a hotel.”

“If I’m still golfing, I’ll probably come kick it down,” he added. “I like coming down here – always have. It’s a great golf course and the people treat us well.”

The Adams Pro Tour Series is in Lake Charles for the Lake Charles Open at Mallard Cove Golf Course today through Saturday.