Baker National Recap

Medina - If you missed this tournament you missed one of the best. This Park District course is a gem with beautiful scenery, challenging holes and perfect greens, albeit difficult. 4 players earned their 3rd local win to qualify for Nationals. And one claimed his first victory.

The multi-tiered greens didn't seem to bother some of our players especially our visitor from Canada, Colwyn Abgrall, who took on three of our best in the Championship flight. Steve Schubert had a clean front side with 1 birdie and Colwyn carded 2 birdies to offset one bogey to share the lead at the turn. They both birdied 10 so it looked like a showdown. Colwyn made birdie on 12 to take the lead and then made par on the remaining 6 for a 3 under 69 while Steve finished at 1 over 73. This was Colwyn's 6th win of the season and his second best round having shot a 68 in AZ in April. He is next headed to the AZ Tour Championship and on to Nationals. We wish him luck!

The Hogan flight crowned a first time winner on Tour. Tim Mart, playing in only his 5th tournament, held a 1 shot lead over Bill Kelsey, who is also looking for his first victory, after 9 holes. Perennial front runner Anthony Hugelen was 4 shots back after managing only 1 par. Anthony made up ground on Bill but Tim wasn't about to be denied. He shot even par on the back side with 2 birdies for the statement win. 

Three is the magic number. Three local wins that is. Todd Klocke hit that number with his 3rd win of the season in Sr. Snead. Todd held a slim 3 shot lead at the turn over rapidly improving Amy Bauch. Todd was able to limit the back nine damage to just 3 doubles to card a 48 and punch his ticket to Sr. Nationals. Don't feel bad for Amy as she had a very good day as you'll read later.

The Sarazen flight is always a good contest with half of the field being winners this season. Peter Martinez had won 2 out of 3 events he entered with a runner up in the other. So no surprise when Peter took a 3 shot lead on the front over Jon Sanz. A triple on 11 should have brought the field back into the chase but they all had their own issues. Peter's 43 was good enough to hold off Tim Palya and earn him his 3rd win and a promotion to Hogan flight. Peter is now qualified for Nationals but he needs another tournament before our MN Tour Championship to be eligible. Let's hope he finds a one to play.

Our third 3 time winner is Larry Caldwell of Sr. Hogan. Larry went out in even par after a birdie on #4 and a bogey on #7. Gary Braun was 3 back. Gary pulled even through 13 after a birdie on #12 while Larry doubled #13. Gary jumped ahead by 2 through 16 before a triple on #17 derailed his charge. Larry's 79 to Gary's 80 means he can now make plans for Sr. Nationals.

Only one shot separated the 3 players in Palmer flight after 9 holes. Ben Grant and Mike French were tied at 40 while Bob Murphy carded a 41. Mike's birdie on #10 set him on the path to victory returning his card with a 39 on the back for a 79 and his third victory meaning he has earned a return trip to Mission Hills.

Jones flight was the biggest contest of the day with 8 players. Erik Jordahl fresh off his first win at Troy Burne a couple of weeks ago showed his champion metal going out in 40 with a birdie on #9 to lead by 8. The return to the clubhouse took it's toll on the field with the best back nine score turned in by our guest Lonnie Mollo with a 43 but it only cut halfway into Erik's lead. With back to back wins Erik will be the one to beat at The Wilds.

The Sr. Sarazen flight players only had to beat the rest of their foursome. Steve Springer and Ed Favorite were locked up at 44 to lead new Am Tour member, visiting from the FL Tour, Paul Smallwood by 5 shots. Ed broke the deadlock on #10 with a birdie stretching the lead to 3 through #15. A quad on #16 let Steve cut the deficit to 1 but he wasn't able better Ed's par on #17. Ed's 2 shot win is his 4th of the season.

Amy Bauch took home the Low Net Award. 

Amy's ticket was also pulled in the 50/50 raffle worth $150. Our season total now stands at $1,455. Thank you for your generous support.

Steve Springer and Jeff Gallagher won Closest to the Pin.

CONGRATS to Hogan flight player Matt Harter who placed 2nd at the Western Classic Major in Vegas this weekend. His 2nd round 75 brought him within one shot of a victory and earns him an invitation to Nationals.

We thank the visiting Tour members for joining us. Colwyn Abgrall from Canada and the AZ Tour, Mike Lee from the Dallas Tour and Paul Smallwood from the FL Tour. We wish you luck on Tour and hope to see you again in MN.

Thanks also to Mr. Lonnie Mollo for giving us a try. We hope you had a great experience.

Special Thanks to Cindy Miller for filling in for Deb this week. Thanks to Mary and Val for keeping me in line.

Our next tournament is our MN Tour Championship at The Wilds on Aug. 25-26. Double points will be awarded which means several point races could be changed significantly. The top 2 finishers (not already qualified) in each flight will become qualified for Nationals or Sr. Nationals. Before you say to yourself that you won't play because you think you are too far behind in points to qualify please recognize the potential impact of that "not already qualified" statement. Last year one of our Sr. Snead players finished 5th at Troy Burne and still qualified because everybody in front of him was "already qualified". So what I'm saying is THERE IS STILL A CHANCE if you've played at least 5 tournament rounds so far! Don't miss yours.