WATERLOO - John Bermel was competing as a professional Sunday in the Waterloo Open, but he couldn't wait to play the role of spectator.

Kyle Bermel's amateur championship 9-under-par 207 (71-68-70) may have meant as much to his uncle and golf coach at the University of Northern Iowa as vying for a chance to win $45,000.

John Bermel was getting ready to play the 17th hole at Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course when Kyle's tee shot on the nearby par-3 11th checked up eight feet past the pin. The UNI senior-to-be's downhill birdie putt curved into the cup, doubling his edge over runner-up Nathan Leary from two to four strokes in the course of two holes.

"The shot he hit on 11 - granted I was trying as hard as I could - but I went over to see where he hit it," John Bermel said, pausing to fight back tears of joy.

"After I hit (on 17), I listened to the crowd go crazy. … I knew (Kyle) made the putt and I knew once he made that we were in pretty good shape. … I was ready to get out there and see what was going on."

The final day of amateur competition quickly took on the flavor of a collegiate golf meet.

Western Illinois senior-to-be Jake Weeber tied with Iowa State junior-to-be Leary for second place at 4-under-par 212.

Bermel's five-stroke victory was the first Waterloo Open amateur title by a UNI golfer since Matt Lowe won the tournament in 2005. The Panthers' Marc Cahalan finished first in 2003.

"There's no question this is a big tournament for us," John Bermel said. "All the kids come back and they want to play it. They're competing not only against the field, but they're competing against each other. Everybody wore their UNI shirts today, and it is a big deal for us."

Walking to the first tee Sunday with a five-stroke lead, Kyle Bermel refused to drop back to the field. He played bogey-free golf, highlighted by five up-and-down par saves.

"I'm usually not that consistent," said Bermel, who made 16 pars. "I'm making birdies and bogeys and trying to even them out. This round, I just kept my cool and got after it.

"I knew (Leary) made a lot of birdies at the beginning and he definitely put the pressure on. I just kept at what I was doing, making pars."

The runner-up finish followed a familiar script for Leary, a hometown favorite who has placed in the top 10 in all three Waterloo Open appearances. He opened his round with birdies on three of the first four holes, but was unable to get any closer than two strokes.

"I've just been lucky the last few years," Leary said. "I end up birdieing three of the first four holes. After that, every year, I just come to a stall and have not been able to get it going again. … It's definitely nice to have the opportunity (to win). Hopefully, one of these times I can actually put it together and finish a round."

On holes 10 and 11, Bermel turned the tide in his favor.

Leary drove his approach shot past the 10th green and was unable to salvage par, while Bermel chipped on and saved par from nearly the same location. On 11, Leary just missed a mid-range birdie putt, while Bermel made a tough bender from above the hole.

Bermel's only other birdie came on the short 452-yard, par-5 14th. Leary birdied 12 and 14 but bogeyed two of his final three holes.

Weeber, the Summit League Newcomer of the Year, was 3-under through the first eight holes, but finished with a bogey on nine. He recovered with two birdies on the back.

"You obviously want to win every tournament you get in, but there's so many good players in this," Weeber said. "To compete like this is definitely good for me and good for my confidence."

Bermel's victory was his third of the summer. With his dad, Jeff, serving as caddie, and family members following his every step, it took on added significance.

"It was a great family experience," he said. "I always like when dad is on the bag and I'm playing in the same tournament as uncle John.

"This is always the one you want (to win). … To get this one feels really good."

Amateur scores

Final round

1. Kyle Bermel 71-66-70 - 207

2. Jake Weeber 71-72-69 - 212

2. Nathan Leary 74-68-70 - 212

4. Nate Steege 73-75-66 - 214

5. Jed Dirksen 68-76-71 - 215

6. Steve Kahler 76-68-72 - 216

6. Scott Morgensen 75-70-71 - 216

8. Alan Johnson 72-75-71 - 218

8. Troy Hoffman 72-74-72 - 218

8. Niel Doak 75-70-73 - 218

11. 219 - Marc Cahalan, Josh Black, Justin Weber, Mark Leibfried.

15. 220 - Tyler Johnson.

16. 221 - Ben Juffer, Derek Ott, Jake Thomas, Sam Aossey, Doug Pierce, Matt Solis.

22. 222 - Travis England, Todd Mavis, Jeff Ott, Ryan Swenson.

26. 223 - Jim Campbell.

27. 224 - Brent Goodenow.

28. 225 - Blake Hibben, Matt Sargent, Jason Klein, Danny Naughton.

32. 226 - Michael McCunniff, Brad Shatek.

34. 227 - Dan Holterhaus, Alex Hansche, Craig Lindsay, JR Donlea, Jeff Gudenkauf.

39. 229 - Eric Lindquist, Mason Linn.

41. 232 - Robert Bruns.

42. 234 - Thomas Christensen.

Pro-sponsor final results

1. Jeffrey Cuzzort/Mark Evers/Joseph Marr/Randy Richter/Chris Beatty 172; 2. Brad Britton/Tim Hoffman/Dax Miller/Nam Miller/Chris Miller 176; 3. David Brown/Rick Morris/Kevin Boyle/Don Temeyer/Dexter Wilson 182; 4. Bryan Newman/Gary Knudson/John Costello/Travis Carlson/Adam Williams 183; 4. Jay Reynolds/Kevin Fittro/Andrew Van Fleel/Chris Fereday/Charlie Fereday 183; 6. Garrett Jones/Mike Lamb/Max Lamb/David Lamb/Mike Evans 184; 6. Gary Rusnak/Ron Bendell/Dave Kazynski/Jim Phillips/Tony Beuter 184; 6. Sean McCarty/Steve Nelson/Rex Smith/Art Juedes/Paul Gassner 184.

Note: The first player in each pairing is a professional.