Loggers Trail Recap

Stillwater, MN - a beautiful Mayday for our Spring Opener. Bright sunshine with a bit of a breeze and a course in great early season condition. 44 golfers teed it up with 10 new members getting their first taste of the Am Tour. 

Jeff Gallagher shot the low round of the day with a 72 against the biggest field of the tournament. He played both sides in even par by matching bogeys with birdies. A birdie on the par 5 second was followed by bogeys on the next 3 holes and then a birdie on #7 and the par 5 ninth hole. The back nine brought bogeys on #11 and the par 3 17th which was 235 yards into a stiff wind. He offset those with birdies on #12 and #15. There were 15 players in the Palmer flight paying out 4 spots. Dean Sengstock finished runner up with a 77, Mike Kelley shot 78 for 3rd and John Juntilla shot 79 for 4th.

Greg Lanctot of Mankato returns to the Am Tour after a 6 year absence and wins his first outing. He bettered new member Nicholas Demuth of Cold Spring by 2 shots to claim the trophy in the Championship flight. Nicholas birdied the first to jump out to a quick 2 shot lead but gave it all back and more with a tough second. They wound up with matching scores on the front while Greg steadied the ship playing only 2 over on the back for his first win.

The Hogan flight went to a playoff as usual. Dan Barrett and Steve Buan had matching 43s on the first nine holes which was 3 shots ahead of the field. Dan matched his 43 for an 86 but a couple of players made a move on the back. Jeff Draack made an eagle on the par 5 10th but suffered doubles on the final two holes to card an 87. Benjamin Grant made birdies on #10 and #12 to shoot 40 and tie Dan at 86. Benjamin made a birdie on the second playoff hole for the win, his second in as many starts on the season.

It was Tim Palya day at Loggers Trail. He shoots an 87 to win by 3 strokes over Fredy Alvear in Sarazen. Tim had a 6 shot lead after 9. Fredy made up only 3 after 18. Tim then finds out he was the lucky winner in our 50/50 raffle. He took home an extra $175 on top of the first prize and trophy.

Steven Holland shoots 81 to take the Sr. Sarazen flight. His front side 39 set the tone for the day but Mitchell Gustin, visiting us from Iowa, was within one shot after a birdie on the par 5 9th hole. The back side was more of the same with Steven gaining another shot over Mitchell by virtue of a birdie on the par 3 13th. 

Sr. Jones may have been a small field but there was plenty of drama for Mike Miller and Vicki Burns. Ms. Vicki started even par through 3 holes while Mike went 4 over. Mike got 3 shots back over the next 3 holes. Ms. Vicki pulled two strokes back on the last 3 to turn with a 3 shot lead. Mike pulled even through 16 so it was game on for the last two holes. Mike made a crucial par on the tough par 3 17th to Ms. Vicki's double to give him a 2 shot lead and both made bogey on 18. 

Todd Klocke continues his winning ways in the Snead flight. Fresh off his victory at Horseshoe Bay in March. Todd led by one over Jeff McVay after 9 holes. He finished with a 92 and a 3 shot margin of victory. The 92 is his lowest round on the Am Tour over the last several years.

Closest to the pin prizes were won by Dean Sengstock and Ms. Vicki Burns. 

Tim Palya takes home an extra $175 from the 50/50 raffle. The other $175 goes to Feherty's Troops First Foundation making our season total $295. Thank you for your support.

Skins results are shown on the Tournament Results page. The 6 Champ/Palmer/Hogan skins were worth $33 each and the 6 Sarazen/Jones/Snead were $28 each. 

Special thanks to visiting Am Tour members Rich Stoker of Wisconsin and Mitchell Gustin of Iowa. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Our next event is Willingers on 5/15. Registration deadline is Saturday night 5/7. See you there.