It was no surprise that Brad Nurski was able to lock down his eighth Fairview Men’s Club Championship on Sunday in a successful defense of his 2008 title.

What opened eyes was how Nurski was able to win by so many strokes this season, after narrowly edging out Mark Korell last year in a playoff. Nurski shot a 6-under 66 Sunday for a two-day total of 135, with the nearest competitor being Caleb Carter. Carter carded a competitive 4-under 68 for a two-day total of 140.

“I played more consistent today,” Nurski said. “Our group had a lot of fun out there today, but when it was time to hit a shot I had to bear down and take care of my business.”

Nurski recorded seven birdies to go along with one bogey on the day. Matt Thrasher started the final day tied with Nurski but hit out of bounds on No. 8. That seemed to take the steam out of Thrasher’s game.

Thrasher finished the day with a 6-over 78 after shooting a 3-under 69, giving him a two-day total of 147.

“That’s three shots wasted on one hole and that is tough to make up on a player like Brad (Nurski),” said Thrasher, referring to the out-of-bounds shot on No. 8. “I actually felt good and was very comfortable in my play today. I just wasn’t able to score well today.”

Nurski was able to steer clear of penalty strokes and out-of-bounds hazards the entire two-day tourney. But after a birdie on No. 16, Nurski took a four-stroke lead heading into the last two holes of the course.

“You stay away from penalty strokes and that way you don’t make big numbers,” Nurski said. “The birdie on No. 16 was pretty much the end of it there, and I knew heading into the last two holes with a four-stroke lead I had it.”

Nurski finished first in the Championship flight, followed by Carter in second and Mitch Girres in third after carding a 2-under 70 for a two-day total of 145.

Sports reporter Travis Hartman can be reached at rickd@npgco.com