The 5th Annual Churchville Classic delivered everything FLX Tour fans could ask for: a packed field, dramatic leaderboard swings, a gallery-filled playoff and another unforgettable chapter in one of the Tour’s fastest-growing traditions.

On May 30, 44 Tour Pros descended upon Churchville Golf Course for the annual two-man scramble. With the Tour’s 35/15 handicap rule in effect, the competition was as tight as ever, and nearly every team felt they had a chance heading into the back nine.

Matt Driffill and Lou Englert set the pace early as the first group off the tee. After a steady front nine, the duo caught fire on the back, carding back-to-back eagles and climbing to 5-under par with just one hole remaining. A costly bogey on the 18th hole dropped them back to 4-under, but their clubhouse-leading 68 still looked like it might be enough to hang around near the top.

As more groups completed their rounds, Joe Mortillaro and Chuck Pace surged into the lead with a net 67. Their round appeared championship-worthy as team after team came up just short, including Sean Sawyer and Kyle Pierce who had a chance to get to -5 on 18, but couldn’t seal it.

Then came Brendan “Kiwi” Milward and Mike Petote.

The pair matched Mortillaro and Pace at 5-under, setting the stage for a one-hole sudden-death playoff on the iconic 18th hole.

With a growing gallery surrounding the green, the pressure was unmistakable.

Milward and Petote found the right side of the fairway off the tee, leaving themselves in prime position for the approach. Mortillaro and Pace, meanwhile, found trouble far left and appeared destined to play defense. Instead, they dug deep. From a seemingly impossible position, they launched a shot over the trees and back into contention, putting themselves near the green and keeping the pressure squarely on their opponents.

Milward answered with a dart, stuffing his approach inside 15 feet.

After Pace and Mortillaro chipped onto the putting surface, Joey Mortillaro delivered perhaps the moment of the playoff, draining a lengthy par putt that suddenly put all eyes on Team Milward-Petote.

With the entire gallery watching, the tension could not have been higher.

Milward never flinched.

Cool, calm and collected, he rolled in the birdie putt to seal the victory, earning himself and Petote the 2026 Churchville Classic title and a permanent place in the Hall of Champions.

The win marked the second consecutive year the Churchville Classic required a playoff to determine its champion, further cementing the event’s reputation as one of the most dramatic stops on the FLX Tour calendar.

Notes From Around the Tour

• Jarred Schrader reportedly left his clubs at the course following play. Fortunately, Tour Pros look out for one another, and the clubs were eventually rescued.
• John Laganello introduced a new piece of equipment to the FLX Tour gallery experience: an umbrella. Historians believe it may have been the first umbrella ever deployed by a spectator at a Tour event.
• Kenny Rogers broke his driver … on hole one. Very unfortunate.
• The event was filled with great shots, great company and plenty of smiles, showcasing everything that makes the FLX Tour special.

But now, attention turns to the biggest event of the season.

The Grand Open.

The Grand Daddy of Them All.

On Saturday, June 27, the Tour heads to Durand Eastman Golf Course for the crown jewel of the FLX Tour schedule. Legends are made at the Grand Open. Careers are defined at the Grand Open.

This. Is. The. Big. One.

2026 Churchville Classic results

Rank	Tour Pro	Net Score	YMOTY Points
1	Brendan Milward	67	44
1	Mike Petote	67	44
2	Joey Mortillaro	67	42
2	Chuck Pace	67	42
T3	Matt Driffill	68	40
T3	Lou Englert	68	40
T3	Sean Sawyer	68	40
T3	Kyle Pierce	68	40
5	Danny Driffill	69	36
5	Dan Graves	69	36
T6	Eric Spanbauer	70	34
T6	Brandon Burris	70	34
T6	Alex “Dooley” Miko	70	34
T6	John Laganello	70	34
T8	Ben Annal	71	30
T8	Josh Valletta	71	30
T8	Mike Mortillaro	71	30
T8	Dom Trento	71	30
T8	Ryan Nethcke	71	30
T8	Nick Kozak	71	30
T8	Tim Dorsheimer	71	30
T8	Evan Santiago	71	30
T8	Chris Miers	71	30
T8	Zach Stedman	71	30
T13	Tom Dieure	72	20
T13	Chris Trento	72	20
T13	Scott Stedman	72	20
T13	Kenny Rogers	72	20
15	Chad Christ	73	16
15	Jarred Schrader	73	16
16	Patrick Moynihan	74	14
16	Michael DiMuro	74	14
17	Nick Hawes	75	12
17	Ryan Wirth	75	12
T18	Shane Driffill	76	10
T18	Brandon Moynihan	76	10
T18	Brier Koroly	76	10
T18	James Franz	76	10
T20	Josh Kowalski	77	6
T20	Dan Driffill Sr.	77	6
T20	Shane Partiss	77	6
T20	Jon Thorpe	77	6
22	Dan Riesenburger	78	2
22	Nathan Wirth	78	2