StoneRidge Recap

Stillwater - a beautiful mid-summer day, hot and humid. StoneRidge regularly tests Tour members with fast greens and tall fescue, not to mention the Barn hole, and it did so again this year.

Low Round of the day, 79, was posted by Ben Savage in Palmer flight for his first win on Tour. Peter Heller went out in 35 to take an early 2 stroke lead on the strength of 3 birdies while Ben started with 2 biridies. Both Ben and Peter had difficulty with the Barn hole but Ben added 2 more birdies to hold off steady Mike Kelley by 2 shots.

2nd best round of the day, 80, was carded by Steven Holland in Sr. Sarazen for his first win this season. Steven shot even par on the front finishing with birdies on 8 and 9 giving him a 6 shot lead. Jack Olichwier, a guest from Chicago, started a run at Steven with a birdie on 9 and a blemish free backside except for a double on the long par 3 16th. Jack's 38 wasn't quite enough to catch his brother Jerome or Steven. 

18 holes weren't enough for the Jones flight. Michael Miller held a one shot lead over Hobie VanValkenburg and Vicki Burns after 9 holes. Hobie bettered Michael by one on the back to force the playoff. Hobie's par on the first playoff hole earned him his first Tour victory.

Matt Broich earned his 3rd victory in Championship flight. He needs 3 more events to be eligible for Nationals.

John Juntilla only had a one shot lead after 9 holes over Robert Gardner. His back nine 41 for an 80 matched the second low round of the day. His 2nd win of the season puts him on top of the Order of Merit in Sr. Palmer.

Steve Buan earned his first victory on Tour in Hogan flight after starting with a birdie on the first hole. Jon Balvance, a guest, had a 1 stroke lead after nine and added a birdie on the back but fell one shot shy as Steve was pretty steady on the back side.

Fredy Alvear continues his dominance in Sarazen flight with his 4th victory this season. Matt Harter matched Fredy's 43 on the front but struggled on the back while Fredy shot another 43.

In the Snead flight, Pete Rojas earned his first victory this season by besting Todd Klocke by one stroke on both nines. His six pars made the difference. 

Ed Favorite finished 5th in Sr. Sarazen and Warren Ferber 7th in Sr. Jones at the True Linkswear Championship at Chambers Bay. 

Special thanks to our visitors and guests this week. The 4 Olichwier brothers (2 are members of the Chicago tour, Bret Rathbun from the Pacific Northwest tour and currently stationed at Ft. Lewis and Jon Balvance from Shakopee. We hope to see you all again soon.

Todd Klocke won the 50/50 raffle and $140. The other $140 raises our total donations to $725 so far this season. THANK YOU for your support of this initiative.

Our next event is a perennial favorite of Tour members. We cross the river to visit Troy Burne. Always in great shape and a daunting test of golf. Registration deadline is this Saturday night.

Regards,

Bruce Addleman
Tour Dir. - MN
612-386-2956