Birdie, Eagle, Birdie finish helps propel Escobar to West Pines Classic Title

Nicolas Escobar Becerra (Nico Escobar), Associate PGA of America Professional at Capital City Club earned his first Georgia PGA Section victory on Tuesday. Escobar completed a dramatic come from behind victory defeating Director of Instruction at Crystal Lake, Jabir Bilal, PGA, in a three-hole playoff to win the 2026 West Pines Classic at West Pines Golf Club in Douglasville.

Trailing late in the final round, Escobar produced one of the championship’s defining moments, closing with birdie, eagle, birdie over his final three holes to finish at 9-under-par and force a playoff with Bilal. The pair, who played together in the penultimate group, each carded 5-under 66 in the final round before returning to the course for the playoff.

After matching pars through two playoff holes on No. 18, the championship shifted to the par-3 third hole. Escobar carded a bogey 4 to secure the West Pines Classic title.

“I made the birdie putt on 18 and thought I was one short of the playoff, so I didn’t really celebrate because I thought I lost by one,” said Escobar. “I finished great and closed out good, so I just wanted to ride that momentum into the playoff.”

The victory came in just Escobar’s second Georgia PGA Section event outside of Chapter and Assistant Division events. Earlier this month, he finished tied for eighth at the Yamaha Atlanta Open and will carry his momentum into next month’s Georgia Open at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, where he competed throughout his collegiate career at Georgia Southwestern State University before graduating in 2025.

“We have a great role model at Capital City with Francisco Bide playing in the PGA Championship,” Escobar said. “That’s what we all aspire to do.”

Monday’s opening round belonged to Matt Sanders, PGA, Head Golf Professional at West Pines Golf Club, who carded a 5-under 66 to take a one-shot lead into the final round. Playing on his home course, Sanders set the early pace before the leaderboard tightened throughout Tuesday’s play.

Among the biggest movers during the final round was Francisco Bide, PGA, Head Golf Professional at Capital City Club. After opening with a 1-over 72, Bide fired a tournament-low 7-under 64 to climb into sixth at 6-under-par, finishing three shots behind the playoff. Assistant Golf Professional at West Pines Golf Club, Chad Thomas, PGA, also made an impressive charge with a blistering 6-under 30 on the front nine before ultimately finishing tied for third.

The West Pines Classic is one of six Georgia PGA that award Player of the Year points throughout the season. Those standings help determine eligibility for several of the Section’s premier opportunities, including a berth into the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic and qualification for The Drew, the Georgia PGA’s $50,000 season finale at East Lake Golf Club.

The Georgia PGA extends its appreciation to the City of Douglasville, West Pines Golf Club, Chris Cartwright, PGA, the club staff, volunteers, and all partners who helped make another successful championship possible.

For complete results and more information about the Georgia PGA, visit www.georgiapga.com.

ABOUT THE CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE
Located just 20 miles west of Atlanta, the City of Douglasville is a vibrant and growing community known for its historic downtown, diverse recreational amenities, and strong civic engagement. As a designated Georgia Main Street City, Douglasville blends small-town charm with metropolitan access, making it an ideal location for families, businesses, and events. The city plays an active role in supporting regional tourism, sports, and community initiatives. Visit them online at https://www.douglasvillega.gov/Home.