National Championship Final Day

The thunderstorm was three raindrops on our side of the mountains. The cloud cover made the morning tolerable even with a 70 degree dew point. Then the sun came out and it got ugly when it hit the mid 90s. With the cloud cover gone the dry air could move back in so at the end of the day it was pretty much normal, hot and dry. On the final 2 days the players are paired by scores with the leaders going out last. So not only do they have to put up with the pressure of trying to hold or gain a lead they also have to withstand the full heat of the day.

Nate Plagge fought out of the rut of 2 rounds in triple digits and shot his best round of the week, a 95. Nate said he didn't move up the Hogan leaderboard, as I predicted, but since there were 6 withdrawals he actually didn't finish last. I'm sure he'll gain from the experience for next year. Steve Buan also shot his best round of the week with an 89. He improved his score every day. Anthony Hugelen posted a second consecutive 84 and finished T26 and in the money. His 75 in round 2 was the low round of the week among MN members.

The low round of the day from team MN came from Ben Savage in the Palmer flight with a 78 that featured 5 birdies, 4 of them in a stretch of 5 holes. He finished T54. Jeff Gallagher shot an 80 and stayed in the money at T28. Mike Kelley shot an 85 to place T47 and Dean Sengstock shot an 86 finishing T76.

Also as predicted Matt Harter finally found his game just in time to head home and shot his low round of the week. His round of 82 featured 10 pars and only one hole with a score higher than bogey. He placed T81 in Sarazen.

Jeffrey McVay had his hands full at the Norman course recording a 106, his 2nd best score for the week. He finished in 37th place in the Snead flight.

Jeff Loeffler a also shot his 2nd best round of the tournament. Jeff said that he is now getting used to the desert heat just in time to head back home. He finished 23rd in the Jones flight just outside the money.

So now it's time for the kids to go home and to bring on the Seniors. We will have 12 players competing. Practice rounds tomorrow and Thursday before we start play on Friday. The forecast is for high 100s throughout the weekend but with drier air.