By MARTY HENWOOD

OTTAWA, ON – After digging himself into a hole late in the final round of Sunday’s Eagle Creek Classic, Mark Slawter of Raleigh was able to climb out just in time for his initial Canadian Tour win.

The 27-year-old sank a 10-foot eagle putt on the first playoff hole to defeat close friend Chris Greenwood of Valdese in the fourth consecutive Tour event to go into extra holes.

Both Slawter and Greenwood wound up the four-day event at 22-under, a new Eagle Creek tournament record. Rich Massey of Harrington Park, NJ, finished two shots back, while Winnipeg’s Todd Fanning and Steve Woods of Pleasanton, CA, finished tied for fourth at 19-under.

Slawter is a native of Winston-Salem and played at Reynolds High School. He turned pro after a standout career at N.C. State (1993-96). Greenwood also is a former N.C. State player.

Following a third and two-second place results earlier this year, Slawter, who was talked into joining the Canadian Tour this year by Greenwood, was able to step into the winner’s circle for the first time.

"After (finishing second in) Winnipeg, I called Chris and thanked him for the advice," laughed Slawter after posting rounds of 64-66-68-68. "I think being in the lead for most of the day, had I lost this one, it would have stung a little more than the others."

But the victory certainly didn’t come without drama. Minutes after Greenwood grabbed par on the 577-yard, par 5 final hole to stay tied, Slawter, playing in the group behind, had a chance to win it outright. But his second shot from 214 yards out found water, and Greenwood, watching from the 18th green, walked towards the scoring tent, confident he would, at worst, be in a playoff. Hitting his fourth shot from 177 yards, Slawter hooked a 6-iron to within nine feet and then was able to sneak the putt through the side door to stay alive.

"One way or another, I was going for the green (in regulation). Sometimes when you make a mistake like that, you tend to just drop the ball and hit it too quick. But I stayed patient, marched off the distance and made sure I took my time."

With the win, Slawter moves into third place on the McDonald’s Order of Merit with $61,656. Should he maintain that position through the Aliant Cup in St. John’s, NF, (Aug. 23-26) he would be exempted into both the Bell Canadian Open and the Air Canada Championship.

Tentatively scheduled to team with Greenwood at the Casino de Charlevoix Cup in Quebec, a match play event with Tour members taking on the Quebec PGA during the first week of September, Slawter would be happy with either scenario.

"If I get to play in those two PGA events, great…if not, I get to play a few rounds with my good buddy."

Greenwood, meanwhile, was pleased with his showing and knew in order to keep his partner for Charlevoix, he would have to win the tournament.

"For Mark and myself to meet in a playoff, that was the best thing that could have happened to either of us," he said following his best-ever Tour finish. "All day, I wanted him and I to play for it, one-on-one. I told Ray (tournament director Ray Horne) before the playoff that I would have to beat him to keep him as my partner in Quebec."