HARBOR SPRINGS (AP) – In a highly individual sport like golf, teamwork is rarely a factor in the outcome of a tournament.

But in the final round of the Nike Golf State Pro-Am on Tuesday at Boyne Highlands, the team play of Forest Dunes Golf Club professional Patrick Bloom and former Michigan State golfer Carson Castelanni was the difference in a tight race for the title.

The pair combined for eight birdies in a final-round 65 on the Heather Course at Boyne Highlands that propelled them into a tie for the lead after 36 holes, then won a three-hole playoff over Escanaba native Scott Hebert of the Traverse City Golf and Country Club and Andrew Chapman to bring home the title.

The Day 1 leaders with a 64, Northern Michigan University golf coach Kyle Wittenbach and partner Ben Cook shot a two-under 70 to finish third, two strokes out of the playoff with 134.

“None of our birdies overlapped today, which was huge, and we each had stretches where we played well,” said Bloom, whose home course is in Roscommon. “Carson really carried the team in the middle of the round with strong play, and I was able to contribute where I could.”

It’s Bloom and Castelanni’s first time partnering up for the event, now in its 75th year, but the two have been playing golf together since high school when they competed for Okemos in MHSAA tournaments.

In the playoff, both squads made par on the first two holes before a great approach shot on the Hills Course’s hole No. 2 by Bloom set up an easy birdie putt from five feet out to seal the victory.

Information compiled from the Petoskey News-Review.