The End of the Rainy Season

Prior Lake - of course it rained and halted play in our final event of the 2014 season!  The day started out very nice but as our first group reached the 18th hole the skies opened up.  At one point I couldn't even see them and they were only 100 yards away.  Eventually the rain let up and the course returned to playable but there was a second act waiting in the wings.  4 groups returned to the course to see if they could finish before it hit us again.

Nathan Petersen carded the low round of the day with a 74 (from the tips, 7K yds) and won his 4th in a row.  His round featured 4 birdies.

Right behind them and just as wet if not wetter were the Palmer flight.  Mike Kelley took the early lead shooting 38 on the front with John Juntilla and Jeff Gallagher at 41.  John carded 2 birdies on the back before the skies opened up to make it a one shot difference.  On the restart Mike matched John's final two holes to secure his 4th victory.

The Hogan flight was a close contest with only one stroke separating all 4 players.  Ryan Howard took the early lead with birdie on the first hole.  Edgar Moore had 2 birdies on the front to gain a 2 stroke advantage at the turn over Ryan and 4 over Corey McGuire who birdied #8.  Anthony Hugelen avoided the birdie shut out on #11 and carded a 42 on the back to get into contention.  Ryan birdied #13 but had difficulties on the finishing holes Corey added a birdie on 15 after the first rain and avoided some of the rash of double bogies and others that stalled Edgar and Ryan. In the end Corey and Ryan were tied at 89.  A scorecard playoff was used to determine Corey as the winner by virtue of the better back 9 score.  Corey qualifies for Nationals with this win.

The Sarazen flight looked like it might be close on the front side with Matt Harter's birdie on #7 helping him to a 3 shot lead at the turn.  Then he kicked in the after burners immediately with birdies on #10, 12 and 16 to run away with a 10 shot victory.  His 5th of the season.

Unfortunately the remaining 3 flights were unable to finish the round due to the rain.  Each flight winner was based on the number of holes completed.

Dan Barrett held on to the 3 shot lead he had at the turn to capture his 3rd win of the season in Sr. Sarazen. 

Jeff Loeffler took advantage of his familiarity with this his home course by birdieing the first two holes. To that he added 4 pars and held a 6 shot lead after 9 and earned his second victory on tour in the Jones flight.

Michael Miller added to his 5 victory total in Snead flight with a very strong 42 on the front side and a 9 shot win.

Mike Mavity visiting us again from the Chicago tour won the 50/50 raffle worth $80.  The other $80 pushed our total donation to the David Feherty's Troops First Foundation to $785.  I am so grateful for your support of this initiative this year that I am adding $215 to round the total up to an even $1000. I am honored to present this on your behalf as part of the overall check given to the foundation by the Tour at Nationals.

We also presented our season ending awards.  Each player received a nice trophy and $100 in Golf Galaxy gift cards.

The Championship flight Order of Merit came down to the last event between Nathan Petersen and Dan Gestke.  Nathan's win today secured the trophy.  His wins came at StoneRidge, Legends, Loggers as well as today.

Galloping Jeff Gallagher had the Palmer Order of Merit wrapped up for some time by virtue of playing in 9 events including 3 Majors.  He won twice this year, in Iowa and at StoneRidge.

Corey McGuire held a slim 10 point lead in the Hogan Order of Merit race.  His win today captured the season long prize as well a qualifying him for Nationals.

The Sarazen flight Order of Merit was held hostage by Matt Harter all season.  His other 4 wins were Rush Creek, Willingers, Legends and Loggers Trail.  

Sr. Sarazen was never in doubt.  The OoM belonged to Dan Barrett after 2 wins to start the season in FL and at Rush Creek.  He had 5 runner up finishes before capturing the trophy again here at The Wilds.

Warren Ferber's 11 events included a bucket list trip to Pinehurst.  He won at Troy Burne and finished runner up 4 times to claim the Order of Merit in Jones.

Mike Miller made it a one horse race in the Snead flight this season by winning the first 5 events he played including the Major at Blackwolf Run.  The others were Rush Creek, Willingers, StoneRidge, Legends as well as today.

Given his fabulous record this season Mike Miller was also named our Player of the Year.  Mike received a beautiful trophy, an additional $100 in Golf Galaxy gift cards and a Game Golf unit.

Congratulations to all of our winners today and throughout the season.  We have 20 players now headed to Nationals/Sr. Nationals in Scottsdale.  We wish them the best of luck and hope they have a 
wonderful experience.