White Eagle Recap

North Hudson - Picture perfect day to cap off the long holiday week. It's been a few years since we were last at White Eagle and "oh my" what a change. A beautiful, and large, clubhouse greeted the players and course conditions were wonderful.
The competition continues to be hot as once again it took extra holes to complete 2 flights.

Todd Klocke needed just one extra hole to better Stephen Oborn in Snead flight. Todd was even with Jeff McVay on the outward nine at 46 while Stephen was 4 back. Stephen made pars on both back side par 3s and another on #15 to come home in 49 to post 99 matching Todd. Stephen's round was all the more impressive as he was paired with Sr. Jones players and held his own there falling only one shot short of the lead in that flight. This makes back to back wins for Mr. Klocke who will be looking to earn that Sr. National automatic qualification the next time he tees it up.

Championship flight also needed extra holes. Jason Rhoades, Paul Schubring and Tyler VanHecke turned at 2 over 38. Jason ran off 7 straight pars before a double on 17. Paul's par run was interrupted by bogies on 13 and 18. Both carded 38s on the back to post at 76. It took 3 extra holes for Jason to close the deal. This was Jason's 4th victory of the season.

Perennial Palmer favorite Steve Schubert held the lead by 2, over Matthew Lavanger and Dan Barrett (Sr. Palmer), after nine holes. Steve made birdie on 4 and Dan followed with birdie on 5. Three players were at 42 including veterans Jeff Gallagher and Mike Kelley as well as new member Jeremy Peterson playing in his first event. Steve made a double on 11 while Jeff and Matthew made birdies and the chase was on. Jeff made another birdie on 13 after hitting his tee shot to 4 feet but he followed that up with an unfortunate triple on 14 after trying to play a shot from the water. Matthew made birdie on 15 and was one over on the final 3 holes to shoot 37 on the back and post at 78 for his first Am Tour win. Sean Hazen rode 5 pars to a back nine 40 for 3rd place.

Paul Alexander earned a 2nd win of the season but it wasn't easy. Paul Smallwood (Orlando Tour member but Mpls resident) matched Paul A. at 49 on the front. Paul A. gained strokes on Paul S. on each of the first two holes on the back and on 13-16 before a triple on 17 gave half of the lead back. With only one hole left to play it was a stress free 18th hole. 

Larry Caldwell held a 2 shot lead at the turn in Hogan flight and never looked back. His lone birdie on the front came on the difficult 6th hole, site of plenty of carnage on the day. He made birdies on 11 and 18 to post at 82 and seal the 7 shot victory over Erik Jordahl.    

Warren Ferber carded 4 pars and a birdie on 9 for 40 on the front and looked like he might capture his 3rd win in a row in Sarazen flight. He led Fredy Alvear by 3 at the turn. Fredy made birdies on 10 and 13 along with 4 pars and 3 bogies for a 37 on the back to post at 80. David Slininger had 4 pars along with a birdie on 18 to move up to 2nd spot. This is Fredy's 2nd win of the season and he now sits at 12.1 index so we expect he'll be playing in Hogan by August.

First time ever that nobody hit the green for the closest to the pin contest in Sarazen/Jones/Snead. Greg Gebert took home CTP for Champ/Palmer/Hogan.

Jeff Gallagher ended an 8 year drought when his ticket was pulled in the 50/50 drawing for $135. Our season total now stands at $1185. Thank you for your continued support of Feherty's Troops First Foundation.

As always thanks to the Angels; Deb, Val and Mary for keeping us all on track.

21 MN Tour members are off to Polk City and the Tournament Club of Iowa for the KC/MN Challenge. LET'S BRING THE TROPHY BACK HOME FOR ANOTHER YEAR!

Our next tournament is Sunday the 28th at Links at Northfork. Registration deadline is the 20th. See you there.