Chicago National Champions

Winning a Golf Channel AM Tour event is rewarding because it means you beat players within your flight that day. Winning a 36 hole Major which is played over two days offers more of a challenge because the field size is larger. The ultimate challenge takes place in September at the years end National Championship which hosts players from around the country who have qualified from their local tours representing the top 30% within their respective flight. Add in things like playing over four days, 72 holes, travel, physical/mental strength, unfamiliar courses and a strong field; there can be no greater reward or feeling to hoist the Championship Trophy.

Chicago tour was started in 2003 with a mere 38 members and has grown to 217 (to date) made up of two Chicago Tours (North & South). It wasn’t’ until 2006 that Chicago had its first National Champion (Mike Dyer) and since then Chicago has celebrated a National Champion every year since. The question for 2012 is; who will be the next National Champion for Chicago?

2006 National Champion

Mike Dyer (Jones Flight) is one of few who joined the tour in 2003 and in 2006 he became the first Chicago member to win the National Championship representing the Snead Flight at that time. Mike has had several local tour wins and remains one of the top Jones Players on the Chicago South Tour. His game was sidetracked when he helped develop the Chicago South Tour with Don Fiets limiting his playing time.

2007 Sr. National Champion

2009 Sr. National Championship

Ken Larney (Sr. Championship Flight) brought home the hardware for the Chicago Tour in 2007. The Chicago South Tour was in its first year and Ken was unable to defend his title. He returned in 2009 to win the Sr. National Championship in Palm Springs and repeated in 2010 in Jacksonville Florida. Ken was unable to play in the Senior Championship in 2011 due to a scheduling issue, but entered the Open Flight competing against the under 50 age group. He had an impressive tournament finishing 4 strokes back in 4^th place. Ken competed in the 2011 Senior US Amateur Championship in VA and just missed the match play stage which required a sudden death playoff; he continues to be the top player in any age group on the Chicago Tour.

2010 Sr. National Champion

2008 National Championship: Chicago North had two members hoist the trophy; Jim Berg (Jones Flight) & Andrew Wilson (Hogan).

2008 National Champion

Jim Berg (Hogan Flight) joined the tour in 2006 and struggled with the pressures of tournament golf. He found that playing casual golf did not compare to true competition. Jim qualified as a Jones Flight player and competed in the 2008 National Championship taking home the National Trophy. Since then, Jim’s game has improved and he now competes in the Hogan Flight.

Andrew Wilson(Championship Flight) joined the tour while in high school in the Sarazen flight and won his first tournament. He was promoted to the Hogan Flight where he worked hard with a goal to one day compete in the top flight. In 2008 Andrew brought home the Championship trophy representing Chicago North. He played in the Palmer Flight in 2009 and though he didn’t win, he did take home the top honors for Callaway Order of Merit winning their top prize. In 2010, Andrew was the Palmer Player to beat at the local level, but was soon promoted to the Championship Flight when his Tour Index fell below 4. He finished tie for 16^th in the 2010 National Championship and in 2011 tie for 26^th. Andrew continues to work hard on his game and is committed to winning at the highest level the tour has to offer.

2009 National Championship: Pat Polzin (Palmer Flight) and Ken Larney (Sr. Championship Flight – mentioned above) represented the Chicago South Tour and brought home the hardware.

2009 National Champion

Pat Polzin(Championship Flight) joined the tour in 2005 and had his share of local wins. He entered the 2009 National Championship on top of his game and posted his best round ever shooting a 68 in the third round and took charge of the tournament with a 7 stroke lead heading into the final round. Starting the 2010 season he was promoted to the Championship Flight and competed in the National Championship finishing tie for 33^rd. He returned to the Palmer Flight mid-season and the National Championship in Palm Springs where he won his first Championship. Pat shared time with the leader knowing all too well the pressures of sleeping on the lead. With 5 holes to play, it didn’t look as though he would defend his title but the leader lost control and Pat went on to defend his Championship Title once again closing out the Championship birdieing the 18^th hole at PGA West for his 2^nd National Championship Title. He begins the 2012 season in the Championship Flight.

2011 Palmer National Champ

The 2012 season began in October and has been in hibernation. Will Chicago continue its winning streak and hoist another trophy in 2012?

Water Hazards (Red Stake/Line or Yellow Stake/Line) do you know the procedure for either one?

Far too often players are seen just dropping a ball and not proceeding according to the rules.  It is important to understand and know the difference between a Water Hazard which is marked by a Yellow stake/line and a Lateral Hazard which is marked by a Red stake/line.

If a hazard is marked by a yellow stake/line you have two options: play the ball from the previous spot or keep the point where the ball LAST crossed the margin of the hazard between you and the hole.  You can go back as far on that line and drop.  The best way to determine the line is to stand sideways with one of your shoulders facing the hole in line with where the ball last crossed or entered the hazard; raise both arms and that will determine the line with which you can go.

If a hazard is marked by a Red stake/line there are several possible plays depending on where the ball last crossed the margin.  Some players don’t realize that if a two club drop puts them behind a tree, they could go to the other side of the hazard equal distance from the hole possibly giving them a clear shot.  It is the lateral hazard where I see players guess and simple drop a ball.  It is very important to measure the two club lengths ensuring that you are no nearer the hole; a simple method is to face the hole and raise your arms, turn until you have determined that neither arm is nearer the hole.

Drop Area is an additional option of either hazard described above if such area is available and it is important to point out that it is not mandatory to proceed to the drop area.  A player should assess their options and choose the one that best fits their situation as the Rules of Golf permit.

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-26/

There are additional rules that the tournament committee may permit for pace of play purposes.  One such rule is found in Appendix I – Part B/1 “Decisions of the Rules of Golf 2012”

1.      Water Hazards; Ball played Provisionally Under Rule 26-1

a.       If a hazard is of such a size and shape that it is difficult to determine if the ball is in the hazard or possibly playable within the hazard, a provisional ball may be played for the purpose of preventing undue delay.

b.      Click on the link to read the Local Rule which will be in place on both the Chicago North & South Tour for 2012.

                                                              i.      http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Appendix-I/    

Players have chosen to play tournament golf not only to improve their game, but improve their understanding of the rules.  No other game tests the integrity and honesty of a player more than the game of golf.  This is the only sport that a player can call a penalty on themselves.