FARMINGTON, Pa. -- A year ago, Rob McClellan became a father going into the final round of the Falling Rock Classic at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, spending the night in the hospital before finishing in second place.

Yesterday, he had more than just a birthday kiss for his son Levi.

McClellan, the Butler Country Club pro, had the only sub-par score in the final round of the Tri-State PGA Section tournament, carding a 69 on the 6,973-yard mountain layout. It gave him an 8-under 208 total that was good for a one-shot victory.

"I love this place," McClellan said. "It's one of my favorite places to play. You never get a bad lie on this course. I'd play it every day if I could."

First place was worth $12,000.

Because of the sour economy, the tournament was in jeopardy four months ago. It was downsized from 72 to 54 holes and the top prize shrunk from the $30,000 purse it was a year ago, but Joe Hardy of 84 Lumber and other sponsors were able to pull it off.

At the start of the day, McClelland was five shots back of co-leaders Barry Evans and John Pillar. But with a freshening breeze testing players on a sunny day, they both found trouble on the back nine and fell by the wayside.

Evans, the defending champion who plays out of Berry Hills Country Club in Charleston, W.Va., shot 75 for 209 to claim second-place money of $7,000.

Pillar, director of golf at the Country Club of Woodloch Springs near Scranton, had a final-round 76 for 210. Third place was worth $5,900.

The 16th and 17th holes turned out to be pivotal. At the par-5 16th, McClellan hit a shot into some boulders but was able to save par, which led to a quip that his round was more like Magic Rock than Mystic Rock. He followed with a birdie on the par-3 17th after hitting a 7-iron to within 10 feet.

Pillar, meanwhile, hit the 16th green in two but three-putted for a par. He then bogeyed the 17th, missing a 4-foot putt for par as McClellan leapfrogged his way into the lead. Pillar did not make a bogey in his first two rounds.

"I had no clue I had the lead after No. 17," McClellan said. "I was just trying to make birdies. The way the course was playing, I thought I would have to shoot 65 to have a chance. This is easily my biggest win in the section."