sam osborne city champ

Men's Golf

Osborne Repeats as Champion at Rex Spires Decatur City Amateur

Millikin University Head Golf Coach Sam Osborne claimed his second consecutive Rex Spires Decatur City Amateur Championship, holding off a competitive field and securing the title with a steady performance across three rounds. The tournament began on July 12 at Hickory Point Golf Course, where Osborne opened with a 2-under-par 70 to take an early lead. The second round, held at the Country Club of Decatur on July 13, saw Osborne shoot an even-par 72 to stay in front, but former Big Blue standout and newly appointed assistant coach Virgile Gruny surged up the leaderboard with a 3-under-par 69 to pull even with his former coach at 2-under-par through 36 holes.

Originally scheduled as a 72-hole event, the tournament was shortened to 54 holes after rounds three and four—set for July 19 and 20—were canceled due to heavy rain. The final round was rescheduled for July 27 and returned to Hickory Point, setting up a tight showdown between Osborne and Gruny. With both players tied for the lead, the stage was set for a dramatic finish. Osborne delivered a composed final round, carding an even-par 72 that included a clutch par on the final hole to secure the championship. Gruny, battling throughout the round, posted a 75 to finish at 1-over-par 217 for the tournament.

Gruny's performance earned him a tie for second place alongside Decatur native Josh Alldridge, who matched Gruny's 217 total. Gruny's rounds of 73-69-75 highlighted both his talent and his growing presence as a coach in the Millikin program. For Osborne, the victory not only solidifies his place atop the Decatur amateur golf scene but also underscores the competitive culture he is fostering within the Big Blue golf program.

"To win this tournament again is special," Osborne said. "But to compete alongside Virgile, someone I coached and now coach with, made it even more rewarding."

Results can be found on the Golf Decatur's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GSBEvdxEM/
 
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Players Mentioned

Virgile Gruny

Virgile Gruny

Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Virgile Gruny

Virgile Gruny

Graduate Student