The Wilds Recap

Off to a great start for the summer season.  Sure we had a little bit of rain but I'm pretty certain we have outlasted the curse of last season where it rained on all but one event. We had a 44 player field, (14 new members, 1 visitor from KC and 1 guest), 7 flights and $1650 in prizes. 

The first group got in just before the storm hit and after a 45 minute delay everybody went back to the course. A few groups only had a few more shots and others had the whole back 9 yet to play. And while there was a bit more rain everybody got finished. We also tested out the live scoring feature.  Feedback was that it was quite easy and not distracting.  I encourage each of you to load the GCAmTour app from our website so that next time you to can enter scores and keep track of the leaderboard in real time.  We really need 100% participation for it to be useful. Using this feature will also allow folks at home to keep tabs on your progress throughout the round. 

There was plenty of great competition as well. 3 flights needed playoffs.

First flight in was Sr. Palmer. Scott Takekawa in his first MN event shot the days best round of 74 and a 3 shot victory over Sidney Jackson and 2 others. Scott's round featured birdies on 9 and 17. 

The Palmer flight, 10 players, was a dead heat for much of the day between Jeff Gallagher and Mike Kelley. Both shot 39s front and back. Jeff with birdies on 4 and 14, Mike's birdie was on 9. Mike's par on the first playoff hole was the clincher. 

Dan Barrett got of to a great start in Hogan flight going 1 under for the first 5 holes but then the driver misbehaved a bit. Michael Ehlert, in his first tournament after returning from a several year hiatus, birdied #4 with the toughest possible pin placement on that green. After 9 Michael was up 2 strokes on Dan. Michael shot 44 on the back while Dan shot 42 to get into a playoff.  Michael's bogey on the first playoff hole was good enough for the win. WELCOME BACK MIKE!

Sarazen flight had 7 players. Matt Harter carded a fantastic 38 on the front side to lead by 4 shots over Fredy Alvear. Not sure what Matt ate at the turn but he had 3 doubles in the first 4 holes while Fredy got through the same stretch at just 3 over. Fredy played the next 4 1 over while Matt suffered another double. Both bogeyed the 18th to force the playoff. It took 3 more holes for Fredy to break the tie with a par.

Douglas Bird topped 6 other players with a 5 shot victory in Sr. Sarazen. George Hardgrove held a 2 shot lead at the turn over Ed Favorite and 3 over Douglas, Mitchell Gustin (visiting from the KC tour) and Paul Alexander. A 38 on the back nine fueled by birdies on 13 and 15 gave Douglas the win shooting 85 with George and Stephen Holland in 2nd with 90s.

The Jones flight was very competitive with 4 of 6 players within two shots of the lead.Warren Ferber and Jeff Loeffler led by one over Craig Harris and newly promoted Mike Miller after 9 holes. Craigs 45 on the back side was only one shot better than Mike, Vicki Burns and David Doherty but enough to claim the one shot win. Warren and Mike tied for second and Vicki came third.

With Mike Miller promoted to Sr. Jones the Snead flight of 3 players was primed to crown a new champion. Jeff McVay and Mike Jakusz led Pete Rojas by 2 shots at the turn. Mikes' birdie on 16 was helpful but not enough to overcome Jeffs' steady play. His 49 on the back 9 gave Jeff the 2 shot victory over Mike.

Drew Anderson won a $25 Golfsmith gift card for the closest to the pin contest on #7 in the Palmer/Sr. Palmer/Hogan division. 

David Doherty won in the Sarazen/Sr. Sarazen/Jones/Snead division on #3

Full results can be found on the tournament information page.

11 - SKINs in the Palmer/Sr. Palmer/Hogan division worth $15 each.
3 - SKINs in Sarazen/Sr. Sarazen/Jones/Snead division worth $63 each

Vince Rosetta won the 50/50 raffle worth $120.  The other $120 will go to Feherty's Troops First Foundation at the end of the season.  Thanks to all gave.

NOTE: if you weren't able to stick around for results your winnings will be available at your next tournament.

Scores from this tournament have been posted to your scoring record in our system automatically. The score posted may be different than the score you turned in due to Equitable Stroke Control which adjusts unusual scores based on your handicap. Those of you maintain another scoring record elsewhere, such as GHIN, will need to enter your score in that system. Use the score, course rating and slope shown in our system to keep the systems in sync.

Our next local tournament is Sunday May 31st at White Eagle in Hudson, WI. Registration deadline is the 23rd so please sign up before you head out for the holiday weekend.

18 of our tour members will be headed to Kohler, WI to play the True Linkswear Classic @ BlackWolf Run on May 16-17. GOOD LUCK to all of them.  Let's bring home some major hardware.

Thanks to all who participated in this event. It was a pleasure meeting all of the new members and catching up with the rest of you. Please note we have a special referral program in place until May 15th. New members get a $25 discount on their Tour registration and the referring member gets a $75 gift card.

As always, special thanks to Deb Alexander, Val Loeffler and my bride Mary for making sure everyone has a good experience.

Bruce Addleman
Tour Director - MN
612-386-2956