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Silverthorne, CO – (FCT) Blake Elliott successfully defended his title at the 2016 Frigidaire Classic played at the Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks in Silverthorne, Colorado. His finishing birdie on 18 made the difference, winning by 2 strokes over runner-up Scott Elliott and 4 strokes over Clark Elliott. Todd Elliott followed in a distant 4th place. Blake finished with an even par net 72, which included net-birdies at 9 holes on the course, including each of the 4 par 3’s.

But this was no cakewalk as three players had solid chances to win the title heading into 18. After each competitor nailed their first drive in front of a crowd of golfers (and a very impressed starter), you could tell their “A” games would be on display! In his second start ever, Clark Elliott blazed to a 4 under par 32 on the front nine (including a stellar net eagle on the par 5 second hole). Both Scott and Blake also finished the front 9 under par, and Scott claimed the unofficial longest drive in Frigidaire Classic history with a massive 370 yard smash on the 498 yard par 4 9th hole.

Scott looked to capitalize on that momentum once the back nine started. His birdie on 10 gave him a one stroke lead and began the tense battle for the title. Clark and Blake each put together holes to tie or at least keep Scott within striking distance. When the competitors finished the par-4 15th hole, the scorecard showed Scott and Blake tied with Clark just one stroke back. The race to the title was on!

“Any time the Classic comes down to the last few holes with a crowded leaderboard, you can feel the tension rise” said the seven time champion Todd Elliott. “Although I wasn’t in the mix for this Classic, it was so entertaining to see them go at each other. They kept delivering solid golf even with all the pressure. Very impressive!”

With a birdie on 17, Scott had a one stroke lead on Blake and honors on 18. He watched nervously as his drive sailed a bit left, in the rough but playable. Blake, oblivious to the pressure, laced a drive right down the middle of the fairway. He stepped up the pressure on Scott as his approach shot found the back edge of the elevated green. At this point, the altitude played a huge role as Scott’s crisply struck ball sailed over the green, never to be seen again.

Blake stared down his 85 foot putt, knowing that a par would allow him to keep the trophy for a second term. When his first putt settled 8 feet above the hole, Blake’s fearless nature took over. He calmly drained the final putt to become the youngest ever to claim back to back titles.

“I kept the pressure on with my play on the par 3’s. That’s what you need to make to keep momentum going until the 18th,” said the back to back Classic champion. “Once Scott found trouble on 18, I knew another title was in hand. What a thrill to go back to back!”

“Although I wish I had that approach on 18 to do over, my hat’s off to Blake for finishing so strong”, said the six-time Classic champion, Scott. “It really doesn’t get any better than this; having the field in the hunt all the way to the 18th hole is exhilarating.”

Once solidly in the hands of the Founding Members, the Frigidaire Classic trophy has a new holder, and it doesn’t seem like Blake’s ready to hand it off to anyone else. Is a three-peat in the making?