Loggers Trail Recap

Stillwater – We’ve moved directly from winter to summer. Mid 70s and bright sunshine greeted us at Loggers Trail. 44 members and 4 guests took on the course designed by a handful of MN elite golfers.

Mike Miller continues to ride his hot streak with a 94 in Sr. Snead. Pete Rojas was tied with Mike after 48 on the front. Pete briefly took the lead on 12 but Mike got it back on 14 and didn’t  let go. This is Mikes 3rd win of the season. Pete took 2nd.

Sr. Jones saw the return of our native son, Hobie VanValkenburg, now living in Iowa. Hobie took a 1 shot lead on the front over Koré Grate, a guest, and James Becker. His 43 on the back side gave him an easy 5 shot victory.

Warren Ferber led by 1 over Douglas Bird at the turn on the strength of a birdie on the par 5 2nd. Another birdie and 4 pars on the back side widened his lead to 7 shots and his first win of the season in Sr. Sarazen

In golf no lead is ever really enough but a 39 on the front nine, which included a birdie on the third hole and 4 pars, gave Fredy Alvear a comfortable 4 shot cushion over last weeks winner David Slininger. Tim Palya, who was 5 back, made a charge on the second nine with 2 birdies but Fredy’s 5 pars meant no one was going to get any closer than 5 shots. Jon Sanz with a 40 on the back took 2nd after a scorecard playoff with Tim.

Larry Caldwell notched his first win in Sr. Hogan with a terrific 38 on the back nine. Larry and Steven Holland were tied after 9 holes. Larry's birdies on 11 & 12 gave him the two stroke advantage.

Hogan flight was a pretty tight contest with 5 players within 4 shots. Matt Harter, Anthony Hugelen and Greg Gopal were tied after 9 holes. Bryan Poetsch was 3 shots back. Bryan managed to avoid the multiple doubles and triples suffered by the others and sealed the deal with a birdie on 16 to come home in 40 and a 2 shot victory, his first on Tour. Matt takes home 2nd prize.

New member Jon Huinker led the Palmer flight after 9 holes matching Isaac Wales, a guest, at 42. Peter Heller and Ben Grant were just one shot back. Peter and Isaac shot 39s on the back. Peter wins the flight as the low member. Jon finished 2nd.

The Championship flight was the hottest contest with 4 players with 3 shots of each other. Jason Rhoades, Greg Lanctot and new member Jack Buan turned in 39 with Steve Schubert and last weeks winner Zach Johnson one back. Zach and Steve both birdied 10 to make it a 5 way tie. Greg took the lead with birdie on 12. Zach's birdie on the difficult 13th put him out front. Jason's par on the 14th gave him the lead again but Zach pulled even on 15. Steve carded an eagle on 16 to Jason's birdie while Zach made par to fall one shot back with 2 to play. Jason played those in even par to clinch the win, his third of the season. 

Bob Murphy had the easiest day in Sr. Palmer. His 40 on the front gave him a 7 shot cushion and then he gained 2 more strokes over John Lindfors on the back 9 with 38. This is Bob's 3rd win of the season. 

Bob also took the low net plaque as well after 4 players were tied at net 70. It took a scorecard playoff to determine the winner. 

Closest to the pin prizes went to Jack Buan and Jon Nordstrom. 

David Slininger won $175 in the 50/50 raffle. Our current donation this season to Feherty's Troops First Foundation stands at $645. Thanks for your continued support.

Thanks to our 4 guests this week Ryan Gagne, Kore Grate, Brandon Miller and Isaac Wales. We hope you had a great time and will consider joining the Am Tour. 

Thanks to Keith Mavity of the Chicago Tour who is always welcome here.

Our next local tournament is June 10th at Willingers GC in Northfield. It's one of our members favorites and should draw a great field.

Good luck to our 10 members heading to Blackwolf Run for the Midwest Classic major. MN Tour members usually do well there so we are expecting some crystal from this bunch.

Thanks as always to my angels; Deb, Val and Mary.