The 2013 season is in the books and like the PGA Tour we've already moved into 2014. Even though we don't have any local events scheduled this fall the 2014 Order of Merit race is on via the many opportunities to play in the warm weather states including the 3 Major Championships yet this year and throughout 2014. As always, if you want to play in a Major, you need to register early as they all sell out very quickly. 4 of the 6 already open for registration are FULL.
2013 Review
Let me first tell you the most exciting part. The MN Tour grew in 2013 despite a flat trend throughout the golf industry. Membership was up 13% and rounds played were up 21%. This is great news for all of us as it means we're getting stronger leading to better competition and larger prize pools. This is a trend we need to continue to improve and the best way is through your recruiting of friends and regular playing partners. Have a conversation with everyone you play with. Refer them to our website, GCAMTOUR.com or send me their info so I can invite them to play. Together we'll make 2014 even better.
We had 12 members participate at this years National/Sr. National Championships representing more than 25% of our membership and many more qualified. All who participated have told me they had a wonderful experience. We should find out shortly where the 2014 Championship will be held. In case you missed the final results I've recapped them below. Congratulations to all for representing the MN Tour so well. Please make a point of asking them about their experience the next time you have the opportunity.
National Championship
Championship flight - Nathan Petersen finished 67th in his first National Championship. He struggled through the first two rounds on the Stadium and Nicklaus courses but then found his groove on the Norman course with a fine 76 and finished up at the tough Palmer Private course with an 82 featuring 4 birdies. He says he "had an amazing experience and is more determined than ever to come back next year".
Championship flight - Nathan Petersen finished 67th in his first National Championship. He struggled through the first two rounds on the Stadium and Nicklaus courses but then found his groove on the Norman course with a fine 76 and finished up at the tough Palmer Private course with an 82 featuring 4 birdies. He says he "had an amazing experience and is more determined than ever to come back next year".
Palmer flight - Jeff Gallagher finished T16th also in his first National Championship. He opened with a very strong 77 on the Palmer course and then posted low 80s on the other 3 courses.
Hogan flight - Corey McGuire finished 127th in his 2nd National Championship. He did improve his score each of the 4 days as he got acclimated to desert golf.
Sarazen flight - Matt Harter finished 90th in his 3rd National Championship. His best round of the week was a 90 on the Palmer course.
Snead flight - Jeff McVay finished finished T32nd in his 2nd National Championship. He shot 4 solid rounds in the low 100s.
Sr. National Championship
Sr. Championship flight - John Juntilla finished 22nd in his 1st Sr. National Championship. He got off to a tough start on the Staduim course but rebounded with 3 solid rounds with a low of 78 on the Palmer course.
Sr. Championship flight - John Juntilla finished 22nd in his 1st Sr. National Championship. He got off to a tough start on the Staduim course but rebounded with 3 solid rounds with a low of 78 on the Palmer course.
Sr. Palmer flight - Ted Brown finished T48th in his 1st Sr. National Championship. He had 4 rounds in the 80s with his low round of 81 on the Norman course.
Sr. Palmer flight - Bruce Addleman finished T81st in my 12th National Championship. I had 2 rounds in the low 90s on the Nicklaus and Palmer courses and 2 in the 80s on the Stadium and Norman courses.
Sr. Sarazen flight - Dan Barrett finished T67th in what I believe is his 3rd National Championship appearance. 4 rounds in the low to mid 90s with his best a 92 on the Norman course on day 1.
Sr. Jones flight - Paul Alexander finished T7th in his 2nd National Championship. His opening rounds of 89/88 on the Palmer and Nicklaus courses put him in contention. His 91 on the Norman course put him in 3rd place for the last round. And then "Murphy" (Murphy's Law) showed up. He came down with a terrible cold before the final round and it was all he could do just to finish. He's disappointed but he was our top finisher further validating being our MN Tour Player of the Year.
Sr. Jones flight - Warren Ferber finished T29th in his 3rd National Championship appearance. His best round of 89 came on the tough Nicklaus course.
Sr. Snead flight - Todd Klocke finished T19th in his 4th National Championship. His low round of 90 on the Norman course on day 3 was great but I'm sure that breaking 100 on the Stadium course was his personal highlight of the week.
I'd be remiss if I didn't also tell you that this was the best National Championship ever held. I was fortunate to be in attendance for both weeks and saw it both from the working Director and Player viewpoint. 1200 players across the two weeks was an attendance record. The courses were all in fabulous shape despite having been flooded only 3 weeks before we arrived. The entire process from registration to awards was professional, SWAG was as good as ever with participation from all of our sponsors including a new potential sponsor TRU Linkswear, player dinner and entertainment was top notch and the weather was the best we've ever experienced in the desert with temperatures below 100 for most of the 2 weeks. I was only able to briefly talk with our players duing the first week but the second week the camaraderie was what made the entire trip special and I'm grateful. I encourage each of you to challenge yourself to qualify so you too may experience this great opportunity. We are part of the best Amateur tour in golf.
2014 Schedule
I'm working on the local schedule but I'd like your help. I want to know at least one course you'd like to see us play that we didn't this past season, which course(s) we did play are your favorites and which course you don't want to play again. I know I can't please everybody but I want the schedule to be a collaborative effort. Send me an e-mail with your suggestions or call me to discuss if you prefer. Your input is vital and welcome.
Congratulations are in order for Paul Alexander and Bruce Mills who have been promoted to the Sr. Sarazen flight because of their good play in 2013 and are now qualified for the 2014 National Championships.
Just a reminder that the local score posting season, for handicap, in MN is about to come to an end on Oct. 31. Until April 1 of 2014 only scores from areas with an open season should be posted to your profile. Now would also be a good time to make sure that your AmTour profile rounds and your GHIN accounts match up so that both reflect a similar handicap. Call me if you have any questions.
In closing I'd like to thank all of you for your support this year and I look forward to an even better 2014.
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