Willingers Recap

Little Chicago - Another perfect Am Tour tournament day. 48 players took on the wetlands of Willingers GC. Steve Schubert, Championship flight, came away the clear winner of the day. His 1 over 73 ties him for low round of the season by a MN Tour player. 

No card is ever clean at Willingers so it's no surprise that Steve had 5 bogies against 4 birdies. 3 of those birdies came on the par 5s. He led John Juntilla by 2 after going even par for nine holes. This was Johns' first event since returning from a long winter and spring in Palm Springs. Zach Johnson, who holds the other 73 on the MN Tour this season, shot even par on the back nine but his front side put him in a 10 shot hole. Jack Buan shot matching 39s for 2nd place. This was Steves' 3rd win of the season.

Mike French also got off to a good start in the Palmer flight with a 37 on the front to lead by 3 over Peter Heller. The back nine was a war of attrition with all of the Palmer players suffering at least 3 doubles, or worse. Mike's 45 led the group to give him his 2nd victory.

In the Hogan flight, Anthony Hugelen shot 39 on the front to turn with a one shot advantage over new member Mitchell Gothier. Matt Harter and new member Jonathan Nyquist were 4 back. The back nine took its toll. Anthony shot a 42, and Jonathan moved into 2nd with a 44. Anthony now has 2 wins this season.

It looks like Larry Caldwell has settled in to the Am Tour pretty well with back to back wins in Sr. Hogan. Robert Gardner made his first local appearance this spring and led by 2 after 9 holes. Larry played the next 5 holes even par taking the lead after 12. Roberts' birdie on 15 was a 5 shot swing to retake the lead. Larrys' par on 17 led to a 2 shot swing back in his favor and a 1 shot victory.

Fredy Alvear led the Sarazen flight by 1 over David Slininger at the turn. Peter Martinez playing in his first tournament as an Am Tour member was 5 shots back. Peter got himself on track with a birdie on 10 and another on 14 to come home in 40 and secure his first win.

Sr. Sarazen was a 4 man race. Doug Bird led after 9 holes helped by a birdie on 4. Steve Springer and Warren Ferber were 4 back. Ed Favorite limited the back nine damage to 1 other and 3 bogies for 42 but fell one shot short as Steve made the same back nine score to successfully defend his 2017 Tradition Cup title by one shot.

The old adage "beware the injured golfer" has proven to be true once again. Only 4 days since the arm sling was removed after an auto accident last month, Hobie VanValkenburg claims his 2nd Jones victory of the season. It didn't look good after starting bogey and triple on the first 2 holes but a birdie on 3 settled him down. He led by 1 after nine over George Hardgrove who made his first start this spring/summer. George says he was working hard in Vegas. That's his story and he's sticking to it. Hobie lapped the field with a second 43 on the inward nine to finish 8 shots clear of George. This is Hobies' 2nd win of the season.

Steve Oborn led the Sr. Sneads after 9 holes with a 48. Perennial favorite Todd Klocke was one shot back. Paul Alexander was 5 shots back looking like the week long trip from playing in last weekends Hall of Fame Championship in St. Augustine, FL had taken its toll on him. A birdie on 11 by Paul must have re-energized him as he went on to shoot 45 on the back to capture a 3 shot victory over Todd and his first win since the 2016 season. Shouts of "move him up" could be heard throughout the clubhouse in celebration of his return to the winners circle.

Closest to the pin winners were Matt Harter and Jeff McVay. Low net went to Hobie VanValkenburg.

Steven Holland took home $165 from the 50/50 drawing. Season total is now at $810. Thanks for your continued support.

Thanks as always to Deb, Mary and Val for all their help as always. Thanks to Paul for getting Deb home safe from her birthday vacation.

Our next tournament is StoneRidge on the 24th. Registration deadline is this coming Saturday the 16th. The "barn hole" awaits.