LJWorld.com

From the way Stewart Platz played down the stretch at the Lawrence Amateur Golf Assn.'s Men's City Championship, the 48-year-old didn't appear nervous at all.

But, in this case, looks were a bit deceiving.

"Oh, I felt the pressure," Platz said with a laugh. "I just guided it around the golf course, I guess."

Platz might have felt the pressure, but certainly he didn't show it, posting four birdies on the back-nine Sunday at Eagle Bend to finish with a 69 and win the two-day City Championship by four strokes over Chris Hutchens.

Heading into the day second overall after shooting a 74 Saturday at Alvamar, Platz ended his day in style on the tough par-4 18th. After a good drive and a solid 5-iron, Platz drilled a 25-foot birdie putt to complete the day at 3-under par.

"I was just trying to get it close. I didn't want anything more than a tap-in at the end," said Platz, who works as an aerospace engineer in Lawrence. "I was obviously really happy that it went in. I would have been happy if it got close."

Platz was able to crack a smile on the final green as onlookers chanted "Stewww" while he picked his final putt out of the hole.

"I golf with a lot of the people from around the area," Platz said, "so I think they were cheering me on."

The 41-year-old Hutchens put together a solid round in his own right, finishing 1-under on the front nine before posting an even-par 72.

"I started out today not hitting the ball very good, but I was putting great," Hutchens said. "On the ninth hole, I made a slight adjustment in my stance and I started hitting the ball a lot better, but then I started putting poorly. I couldn't quite put the two together."

Hutchens said he still had a great weekend, especially after being able to see longtime friend Platz win the title. The two have golfed together in Lawrence for about 15 years, and for a time played together every Saturday.

• 6Sports video: Platz wins golf championship (07-10-05)

"I couldn't have been more proud or happier for anybody in Lawrence, Kansas," Hutchens said. "He's probably one of the nicest people you'll ever meet."

Conrad Roberts finished with a two-day total of 147 for third place. The former Kansas University golfer made a run for the lead with birdies on Nos. 10, 11, and 12, but finished with a 72.

Jon Broz took fourth with a 149, and Mike Grosdidier, who led after day one, placed fifth after firing a 77 on Sunday.

Grosdidier shot even par to keep his lead into the turn but fatigued on the final nine holes, going 5-over on the back stretch.

Rob Werling, still recovering from a Friday trip to the hospital and kidney stone pains, shot the only other round under par with a 71, good for sixth overall.

Kyle Kreighbaum took the B Flight championship with a 156, topping Neil Ezell by four strokes.

Shannon Ross won the C Flight with a 160, and Maurice Monteau took low-score honors in the D Flight with a 173.

The event, which had an LAGA record of 76 golfers, raised $1,200 for the Headquarters Counseling Center in Lawrence.