Maricopa, Arizona – When the best of the best come together in competition, like the National Golf League Finals, there was little doubt that drama would occur and the fate of the crown would come down to a putt or a chip.

Even after the NGL extended their Finals to a two-day 45 hole event, the six top teams  encountered an unimaginable log jam on the final holes. And just like the past 39 events, the championships did not disappoint its players, participants and supporters.

Two top teams from the three divisions from this fledgling league included the Sonoma Marin Breakers and the East Bay Power (Northern California), the OC Wedge and the Inland Empire Styx (Southern California) and Phoenix Fireballs and the Scottsdale Screech from the Arizona Division.

The first day had a more light-hearted atmosphere with many players who knew each other from Nationwide Tour play, Canadian Tour, PGA Q-School, various professional mini-tours, and college competitions. The weather cooperated in typical Arizona fashion with 70 degrees and pristine golf course conditions at the hosted Royal Dunes Golf Club. A catered banquet followed the day with awards and a presentation explaining the goals and aspirations of the league. At the outset of the competition, the Inland Empire Styx did pull ahead with 21 points derived from two rounds – Alternate Shot and the Scramble. The Fireballs had 19 while the Wedge took third with 17, Breakers, 16, Power, 10 and the Screech with 9.

On the next day, the fun-filled league had a new look with ominous black clouds, 50 degree weather and blustery conditions. A $36,000 purse brought more game faces from the players, coaches and the team owners. Serious strategies and player match ups were being discussed.

The intense weather would wreak havoc on many players but they remained undaunted and birdies became the norm on the 7500 yard championship track. Scores tightened as the Power and the Breakers moved up in the standings. According to Andrew Streatfied from the East Bay Power who plays out of Pebble Beach said with a smile, “We are used to this weather in NorCal, this could be to our advantage especially against these Arizona guys.”

Towards the end of the final round, things got really tense with the top five teams unyielding to each other with three tied at 42, (Fireballs, Breakers, Styx) and the Power at 40 and the Wedge at 38.

The wind blown bonus hole (which produces three points in the NGL) became crucial and dramatic. Teams were euphoric while 30 foot birdie putts dropped; only to be blocked by their opponents draining putts of equal length, yielding no points.

But the closing moments did finally separate two teams tied at 43 – the Sonoma Marin Breakers and the Phoenix Fireballs. The crescendo was even more ubiquitous for the last group approaching the bonus hole was the Fireballs vs. the Breakers.

The Breaker’s Jess Stimack and Adam Lewis missed their birdie attempt but were in the hole with a par. Mitch McDowell missed his five foot par attempt leaving the fate of the Fireballs to Ben Kern to drop the par to force the playoff. Kern, a top mini touring pro and Arizona  Amateur Champion braved the wind sheer and recognizing the significance of the moment, correctly read the left to right break and drained the putt. Even competing teams applauded to show their admiration to his ability to shun the pressure situation and perform.

The NGL tie breaker is a unique one in the Finals. A horse race derby format has a captain from each team choose who drives the ball on the first hole. The captain than chooses another player in the six man team to hit the second shot, the third shot is also a different player and so on until the team wins a hole.

The 417 yard first hole set the stage with fans and teams circling the tee box. Jason Schmuhl was chosen to hit the drive for the Breakers. Schmuhl, who had not missed a fairway all day, pushed his drive right into the desert. Professional Long Drive hitter, Danny Luirette, has consistently placed in the top five long drive players in the world, was chosen by Phoenix. His accurate 390 yarder delighted the crowd and reached the green side bunker. With 75 onlookers helping Schmuhl find his ball; it was located behind a tumbleweed challenging Breakers’ Tim Bogue. He had no choice but to shoot out to the same bunker Luirette reached with his drive. Jesse Stimack hit the Breakers third shot to within ten feet. Arizona Division MVP Ben Weir blasted out of the trap within a foot to secure the birdie, the win and the 2007 Championship.

The NGL game continues to amaze its supporters and players on how the drama consistently unfolds and NGL Founder Bob Aube and Commissioner Doug Powell concur, “It is just a matter of time that a major sponsor, television network or producer will want to partner with us and show the televised audience how exciting and appealing this new kind of golf can be. With three successful seasons, 18 teams, 300 players, the league is on a roll and eyeing its expansion to include Texas and Florida.

For any information about team sales, sponsorships, sales positions or participating as players, please check their website www.ngl.tv or call (530) 756-8916. Various video clips of events and news broadcasts can also be viewed at www.ngl.blip.tv