Pioneer Creek Recap

Maple Plain - a brisk and sunshine filled fall day spent out on the farm. After the gale force winds before dawn on Sunday morning there wasn't a leaf left on the Pioneer

Creek golf course. 

We wound up the calendar year presenting the Player of the Year to Mike Miller, a veteran Am Tour member. Mike started the season dominating the Sr. Snead flight with 6 wins in 7 events including the NW Arkansas major. He was promoted to Sr. Jones flight where he continued his good play with a win and 2 runner up finishes. He rode that hot streak into Sr. Nationals where he was in the top 5 for 3 rounds and finished 4th earning him his second promotion of the season, this time to Sr. Sarazen. CONGRATS MIKE!

Honorable mention goes to; 

• #2 - Anthony Hugelen; 19 tournaments, 6 wins, 2018
         Hogan Flight Champion, promoted to Palmer flight.
• #3 - Jeff Loeffler; 2 wins, Sr. Jones Flight Champion, 2nd
         in Sr. Jones at Sr. Nationals, promoted to Sarazen.
• #4 - Jon Sanz; 3 wins and Sarazen Flight Champion,
         T7 at Nationals and promoted to Hogan.
• #5 - Ed Favorite; 5 wins, Sr. Sarazen Flight Champion. 

Now back to the tournament recap. 

It's always fun to celebrate 1st time winner. Bill Kelsey waited until the last tournament of his first year on Tour and he did it in style. Bill shot 38 on the front to take a commanding 6 shot lead. Jon Sanz was 11 shots behind but he carded 2 bogies and a finishing birdie for a 37 on the back. His commendable effort was 2 shots short however. 

Sarazen flight was a shootout with only 1 stroke separating the top 3. Tim Palya and David Slininger were on top after 9 with Ed Favorite 1 back and Doug Bird 2 back. Doug carded 5 pars including the last 3 to shoot 40 on the back and post at 85. Ed fell short by one with an 86 and Tim finished 3rd at 87. This was Doug's 7th of his 5 year career.

Jeff McVay is the new sheriff in town with Mike Miller out of his way in Snead flight. He earned his 2nd win of the 2019 campaign and his 3rd local tournament in a row back to the Tour Championship. All 4 rounds have been in the 90s. Steve Oborn held a one stroke advantage after 9 holes but Jeff was 5 shots better on the back aided by a birdie on 17. This was Jeff's 12th in 8 years.  

Anthony Hugelen doesn't care what flight he's in. He's undefeated as a Palmer with his 1 shot victory over Darren Kress and a sweep of the Fall Series. Daren and Sean Hazen led by 1 at the turn. Darren led through 11 until a 2 shot swing on 12 after Anthony made birdie to his bogey. Darren clawed back to tie at 15 but gave it back on 16. Both birdied the 18th in championship style. Anthony now has 13 wins since joining in 2014. 

Jason Rhoades didn't feel well all week but was determined to play on Sunday in the Championship flight. Steve Schubert led by 1 after 9 and 2 after 10. A double on 11 gave Jason a chance. Jason made 5 pars in a row while Steve only managed 1. Even though Steve finished with a par and birdie he fell one short. Jason now has 12 wins in his 3 years on Tour. 

Jong Kim took home the Net award plaque at -7.

Bill Kelsey left with half the pot from the 50/50 raffle in support of the Troops First Foundation. Total for 2019 is at $250. Thanks so much for your continued support.

Jeff McVay and Jason Rhoades won Closest to the Pin.

Thanks to Sean Hazen for making the trip all the way from Winnipeg, which is in Manitoba, Canada eh? And special thanks to Sean's wife Nicole for putting up with our buddy Paul Alexander while riding around the golf course harassing the golfers while he continues his rehab from surgery. 

It was great to have the band of Angels back together this week. Thanks to them as always.

While I go in to hibernation for 6 months I won't be idle. I'll be filling out the remainder of our schedule in the next few weeks and I'll be studying the new Rules for 2019 and preparing to help you understand them. 

No need for you to be idle however. There are lots of great tournaments to consider all over the country. If you are interested in Majors please be prepared to Register as soon as they open as many sell out very quickly. If you are traveling on business or pleasure don't forget to check out local tournament schedules. It's one of the great benefits of being an Am Tour member. Please drop me a note if you are playing during the MN off season so I can share with the rest of our membership.

If you haven't already please download the new Am Tour app for your smart device. It looks the same as the old one but connects to the new system. 

And one last note. October 31st is the last day to post scores to your GHIN account for rounds played in MN. If you play elsewhere with an "Active" season you should post those scores.

I'll send monthly Tour updates over the winter. Let's hope it's a short one.