Willingers Recap

Little Chicago - we dodged the rain this time. Temps weren't awful and the wind, while pesky, wasn't a gale. 58 players in 7 flights took on the Willingers golf course including 4 new members, 5 visitors and a guest.

The Hogan flight needed a 3 hole playoff to determine a winner. Bill Kelsey and Jon Sanz shared the lead after nine holes at 41 and Robert Gardner was one back. Bill made a birdie on the short par 4 fifth hole. Bill Brown, winner at Troy Burne, was 5 back after an unfortunate 6th hole. Bill Brown shot 39 on the back nine to jump into the playoff with Bill Kelsey. The battle of the Bills went 3 holes before Kelsey closed the deal for his 2nd win of the season.

Once again the low round of the day (77) was shared by the Palmer flight. Bob Murphy led at the turn with a 38 with one birdie followed by Steve Shubert and Jon Huinker with 40s. Both Steve and Jon made 2 birdies on the front. Bob's 41 on the back, with another birdie, was good but Steve's 38 for 78 was one better after a birdie on 18. Jon's 3 birdies on the back had him comfortably in control until a triple on 18. Fortunately his 37 was still good enough for the win by one, his first of the season. Great competition.

Championship flight saw the other 77. Six players were separated by 3 strokes after the outward nine. Paul Schubring led at 41 over Chris Brom at 42. 3 others were at 43. Chris pulled even with the only par on the 10th in the flight. On the 14th there was a 2 shot swing when Paul made birdie to Chris's bogey. Paul finished like a champion with a birdie on 18 for his 2nd win. New Dad, Jason Rhoades matched Jack Buan's 39 on the back, both posting 82s. Jason took 2nd on a scorecard playoff. 

Joe Christy has punched his ticket to Nationals with his 3rd victory of the season in Sarazen flight but it wasn't easy. He found himself 3 shots back after nine holes to Jeff Loeffler and David Slininger. Joe gained one shot on the leaders thru 14. He finished the last 4 holes in 1 over for a back nine 39 and a 2 shot victory over Fredy Alvear and David Zetah. Fredy took 2nd on a scorecard playoff.

Sr. Sarazen flight featured our 2015 Sr. Jones National Champion playing like it for the first time in quite a while. Warren's birdie on #3 gave some credence to his boast on the first tee that the winner would come from his pairing (he was the only Sr. Sarazen in his pairing). He led Ed Favorite by 2 at the turn. Warren's back nine 42 to go along with his front 41 was good enough for an 8 shot victory and the award for best trash talk of the season.

Our MN Tour Olichwier brother, James, earned his first win in the Snead flight. Stephen Oborn led Jim, by 1 thru 9 holes and extended the lead by 3 more thru 12. Jim gained strokes at 13 and 15 before giving one back at 16. His par 3 at 17 locked up the win at 99. Todd Klocke joined Stephen at 101. Todd took second on a scorecard playoff.

The smallest flight of the day was Sr. Jones and it was mano y mano between 2 Chicago Tour visitors, Jack Olichwier and Keith Mavity. They matched scores at the turn but Keith had bragging rights with a birdie on 2. It was still tied thru 12 before Jack blinked with a double on 13 to Keith's bogey. It was a roller coaster ride for both of them the rest of the way in. Jack's birdie on 14 gave him a 2 shot lead. He added 3 more on 15 before giving 2 back at 16 only to get those 2 back on 17 before giving up one more on 18. If your abacus overheated on that, the end result was a 4 shot victory for Jack, his first of the season.

Low Net award went to Warren Ferber, at -10, further solidifying his credibility.

Tim Palya took home $235 from the 50/50 drawing. Our season total is now $865. Thanks for your ongoing support of Feherty's Troops First Foundation.

Thanks to our Tour visitors Jeff Ackerman - DFW, Keith Mavity and of course the "O" brothers from the Chicago Tour. It's always great to have you here and we look forward to seeing you again.

As always, thanks to the Angels Mary, Deb and Val for their dedication and invaluable assistance. 

We are off to the best spring/summer start ever. Let's keep the momentum going at Territory in 2 weeks. Registration deadline is this Saturday night. 

Happy Father's Day to new Dad Jason Rhoades and all the other Dad's.