Thirty-six holes weren't going to be enough for Rob Simmons and John Patterson to settle a past score.

Darkness halted a playoff between the two last year for low amateur at the Hilton Head Open. They settled for a tie.

But plenty of daylight remained Sunday when Simmons and Patterson finished the final round of the Amateur Championship at Oyster Reef Golf Club tied at even-par 144. And they used another chunk of the afternoon, embarking on a sudden-death playoff eventually won by Simmons with a birdie at No. 12, the fourth playoff hole.

Simmons defended his 2011 title and again held his ground against the likes of Patterson; both are former professionals playing in the Hilton Head Island Amateur Golf Association after regaining their amateur status.

Simmons collected a $425 gift certificate to the pro shop and a spot in the 2013 Players Amateur.

He won after coming back from five shots down with five holes to play.

His 25-foot birdie putt on No. 18, up the slope and back downgrain the final half, dropped in the center to force the playoff.

"That was one of the best putts I've hit in competition in a long time," said Simmons, who will defend his title at the Beaufort City Championship starting Saturday. "Just to be able to do it, knowing I had to make it."

Patterson's chances dissolved in part to an unfavorable ruling on No. 17. After losing his drive right, plugged near both lateral hazard stakes and out-of-bounds markers, Patterson played two balls -- one as if in the hazard and one as if out-of-bounds -- and waited on a ruling.

The decision was that Patterson's ball was out of bounds. The double bogey cut his advantage to one.

"That was the only swing I missed all day," Patterson said.

Oyster Reef, playing at close to 7,000 yards, prevented scores from going lower. A myriad of doglegs required precise driving, often forcing players to hit irons or hybrids to the corners.

Simmons hit more drivers Sunday as Patterson extended his lead. Patterson said his putting was improved after a putting lesson with Chechessee Creek Club's Mike Fries, but he fought the driver, his left-to-right flight not fitting the shape of many holes.

Patterson, the director of marketing and sales at Chechessee Creek, will fly at the end of the week to Chicago to compete in the Western Amateur. A former member of the Buy.com Tour who once reached the finals of PGA Tour Qualifying School, Patterson is trying to play elite amateur events for the first time since regaining his status in 2009.

"I'm excited about that," he said. "It's going to be good to get back into some bigger events."

Simmons, between a wife and 15-month-old son at home and a full travel schedule for work, is content to compete on the local level, venturing into bigger events when time and invitations allow. He'll try and defend his Beaufort City title before U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifying the following week.

"If I play well to get into some tournaments, I'll keep trying to devote the time to it," Simmons said. "But my family is the No. 1 thing."

Hilton Head Island Amateur Golf Association Amateur Championship

Final round at Oyster Reef Golf Club, par 72

Rob Simmons 73-71--144

John Patterson 71-73--144

Mike Balzer 77-73--150

Keith Potts 77-73--150

J.D. Hoft 72-78--150

Brian Rizzo 80-71--151

Benji Gecy 74-77--151

Tate Hoisington 76-75--151

Jeff Wong 79-73--152

Gerry Pascale 72-80--152

Tony Nimmer 81-72--153

Jamie Manning 77-76--153

Chris Lane 75-78--153

Todd Barrenger 80-75--155

Alex Kiproff 77-79--156

Jim Ferguson 80-77--157

Joe Bryant 82-76--157

Drew Butler 77-81--158

Scott Berkner 79-80--159

Gordon Gourley 82-78--160

Phillip North 78-82--160

Charlie Niland 86-75--161

P.J. Tanner 81-80--161

Tom Cunneff 84-78--162

Pratt Reed 80-82--162

Jon Piccone 77-85--162

Marcus Byler 79-84--163

Trent Hoisington 82-81--163

Eric Dollenberg 82-82--164

Jordan Carpenter 78-87--165

Travis Cashion 80-87--167

Chris Lewis 87-83--170

Bill Fuge 81-89--170

Bob Engler 82-89--171

Randy Sparks 87-87--174

Tony Woods 99-97--196