Pine Meadow Spring Classic Results

Golf Channel AM Tour – Chicago North

Pine Meadow Spring Classic (Mundelein, IL)

May 26, 2012

Weather forced a 45 minute delay to the start of the tournament and fortunately many of those who were ahead of our group chose to go home otherwise we would have been 1-2 hours late getting started due to conditions.  The course was in great shape but due to the rain the greens were a bit slow.  Because the greens were so soft, scores were low.

Championship Flight: The best round posted this season was turned in by Dane Yarnell (Championship Flight) who shot a 67 which included a three putt green and a bogey on 18.  Dane is gearing up for the 2012 National’s and will head to Wisconsin to compete in a combo Milwaukee/North Tour event at Erin Hills GC.  Erin Hills was the host of the 2011 US Amateur Championship and will host the 2017 US Open and will be a true test of any skill level.  Mark Palmer (Sr. Championship Flight) was the only other competitor and put up a good score shooting 75.

Palmer Flight:  Kirk Blakney continues his steady play posting a 78 finishing in a tie for first with Matt Bergstrom.  Kirk is the Palmer Player on the South Tour to beat and has won a few events.  It wasn’t to be today as Matt Bergstrom won the playoff against Kirk.  Both Kirk and Matt are first year members sending a message that they are the ones to beat.

Sr. Palmer Flight:  Ray McKinney posted an impressive 76 to win by four strokes over Mike Anderson and David Lee.  It was Robert Arnold who had a strong lead after nine with a front nine, one under par shooting 35 and a four stroke lead.  The back nine was a different tale and Robert shot a 46 to close out with an 81 and a fourth place finish.  Ray posted a 37 on the back for a total of 76 and the win.

Hogan Flight: Dan Kwilas turned in a front nine score of 39 to lead Bryan Bender by s strokes.  Kendall Raczek made a run shooting a 38 on the back but his front nine 44 which was five back of Dan’s front nine proved to be too much ground to make up.  Frank Kaldis improved his front nine round by 3 strokes but finished three strokes back of Dan.

Sr. Hogan Flight: John Williams made his first appearance of the season with a winning start.  Mike Coble had a much earlier tee time and had to leave posting 41’s on both front and back nines for a total of 82.  82 looked like a good score for the Sr. Hogan flight and would have won, but John shot a 38 on the back to post a 79 to take the Championship in the Hogan Flight.  Mike Mullikin was only one stroke back after nine and improved his back nine by one stroke; finishing in third with a round of 83.

Sarazen Flight:  John Kang of the OK/Tulsa Tour visited the Chicago area and posted a winning score of 85.  John’s closest challenger Bill Abanathie of the St. Louis Tour was only 2 strokes back after nine but matched John’s back nine 43 and finishing in second shooting a score of 87. 

Sr. Sarazen Flight: Bill Neiert posted 41/40 to finish with a winning score of 81.  Bruce Gallo had the front nine lead by one shooting 40 but struggled on the back closing out with a 48 falling 7 strokes out of the lead. John Mitchell closed out his tournament with a 39 and climbing into second after posting a 45 on the front which put him tie for tenth after nine; his 39 on the back boosted him to the second spot.  Eddie Stephens went out with a 41 and one stroke out of the lead but faltered on the back shooting 44 to finish third posting an 85.

Jones Flight: John Goldenne turned in another round of 81 to win over Nomie Namie by four strokes.  John is headed for a flight promotion at the next index update based on his recent play which has his tournament index trending at 15.3.  Nomie had the early lead by one stroke after nine but it was John’s 38 on the back that shtot him to the top of the leader board.

Snead Flight: Brian Kirschner posted a 94 to win by 3 strokes over Mike Kelly.  Four players were in the running after the front nine closed but not able to keep pace with Brian.  St Louis Tour Member David Small made a charge shooting a 45 on the back but managed only to finish third.

Championship Flight (0 – 3.9)  72.1 / 132

67 Dane Yarnell;  Mundelein, IL; Trophy &  $40 Gift Card

75 Mark Palmer; Winthrop Harbor, IL

Palmer Flight (4 -7.9)  71.7 / 131

78  Matt Bergstrom; Lindenhurst, IL – Trophy & $120 Gift Card (won playoff)

78 Kirk Blakney; Joliet, IL - $60 Gift Card

80 John Hasman; Chicago, IL - $35 Gift Card

81 Jerry Chianelli; Chicago, IL - $20 Gift Card

Sr. Palmer Flight (4 – 7.9) 71.7/131

76 Ray McKinney; Gurnee, Il – Trophy &  $100 Gift Card

80 Mike Anderson; Chicago, IL - $40 Gift Card

80 David Lee: Waukegan, IL – (no payout, lost scorecard playoff for money)

Hogan Flight (8 – 11.9) 71.7/131

80 Dan Kwilas; Algonquin, IL –Trophy & $110 Gift Card

82 Kendall Raczek; Palatine, IL - $50 Gift Card

83 Frank Kaldis; St. Charles, IL - $20 Gift Card

Sr. Hogan Flight (8-11.9)  71.7/131

79 John Williams; Harwood Heights, IL – Trophy & $100 Gift Card

82 Mike Coble; Wheaton, IL - $20 Gift Card

83 Mike Mullikin; Willowbrook, IL – (no payout)

Sarazen Flight (12 – 15.9)  71.7/131

85 John Kang; Enid, OK – Trophy & $100 Gift Card

87 Bill Abanathie; St. Charles, MO – no payout

91 Larry Schack; Chicago, IL – no payout

Sr. Sarazen Flight (12 – 15.9)  71.7/131

81 Bill Neiert; Crystal Lake, IL – Trophy & $135 Gift Card

84 John Mitchell; Carol Stream, IL - $70 Gift Card

85 Eddie Stephens; Wilmette, IL - $50 Gift Card

88 Tom Ward; Woodridge, Il - $25 (scorecard playoff for money position)

Jones Flight (16 – 19.9)  70.1/125

81 John Goldenne; Northwest Suburbs – Trophy & $110 Gift Card

85 Nomie Namie; Elburn, IL - $50 Gift Card

88 Mike Argyrakis; Cary, IL – no payout

Snead Flight (20 – up) 70.1/125

94 Brian Kirschner; Round Lake, IL – Trophy & $110 Gift Card

97 Mike Kelly; Chicago, IL - $50 Gift Card

98 David Small; St. Peters, MO - $20 Gift Card

50/50 Raffle:  Mark Palmer $153

Closest to the Pin: $135/ea

Mark Palmer #5; #8 Mike Caithamer; #12 Jim Patchett; #17 John William

SKINS:

Championship/Palmer/Sr. Palmer

$46 Dane Yarnell

$23 Mark Palmer, Jerry Chianelli, Mike Anderson,  Tom Joy

Hogan/ Sr. Hogan

$24 John Williams

$12 Mike Coble, Brian Bender, Kendall Raczek, Dan Kwilas, Mike Mullikin, Dan Locallo

Sarazen/Sr. Sarazen

$17 John Mitchell, Bob Fredian, Bruce Gallo,Jim Patchett, Dan White, John Kang, Larry Schack

Jones/Snead

$60 John Goldenne (3 Skins)

$20 Scott Reboletti, Brian Kirschner, Nomie Namie                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

The Chilly Mist of Glen Flora CC Championship

Waukegan, IL – Golf Channel AM Tour (Chicago North) returned to Glen Flora Country Club where the Tour Players competed on the same course as legends Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player once competed in a Match Play event where Gary Player took home the $50,000 Prize in 1963. 

Once again the weather which looked promising earlier in the week dished up some chilly damp conditions with an irritating mist that hung around for about an hour or two.  The Sun made an attempt to break through but just couldn’t break through the thick clouds. 

The greens were aerated a couple weeks earlier and did not get back into shape due to the chilly conditions that greeted Chicago over the past 3 weeks.  The course was in good shape and we are still waiting for sunny skies and warm temperatures.  The low round of the day was turned in by Jim O’Connor (Championship Flight) with a 74.  Though there were some good scores on this short Par 70 course, there was still enough trouble to give player’s fits and post high scores.

Championship Flight: Curt Langille (Milw. Tour) returned to defend his title but Jim O’Connor (Chicago North) spoiled his effort by posting a 74 to win by two strokes.  A member of Glen Flora, Mark Palmer was unable to put anything together to fend off outsiders from winning at his club.

Palmer Flight:  Jeff Kinney returned to defend his title and posted a 76 which would have won the tournament but due to a 2 stroke penalty issued to his group for slow play, he ended in a tie for 1^st with John Mauck who shot a 78.  John was unable to compete in a sudden death playoff due to personal plans and forfeited first place giving Jeff Kinney the victory.

Senior Palmer:  Mark Fugett was not in the field to defend his title which left the Sr. Palmer flight up for grabs.  Tom Joy posted an 82 to win by 2 strokes over Mike Anderson. 

Hogan Flight:  Last year’s Champion John Williams did not return to defend his title giving the field an opportunity to crown a new champion.  Mark Titone was promoted to the Hogan Flight because of his improved play.   Mark posted a practice round 80 a few days earlier and followed that up with an 83 to win by three strokes over Mike Lee.

Sarazen Flight:  John Bauer was promoted to Hogan flight and not able to defend his title, didn’t make the trip.  Clay Koenig (Chicago South) was in the field and has won 6 of his last 8 tournaments including a Major at Lakes of the Ozark in Missouri.  He was the one to beat but the tree lined course was not kind to Clay and finished 6^th in the seven player field.  The seven player field consisted of six new members with Andrew O’Neil posting a 90 to win by two strokes over Willem Mijnarends.

Senior Sarazen:   Steve Downey beat last year Rookie Mark Titone in a sudden death playoff and when his round was over, he didn’t think his 87 would hold up.  Eddie Stephens turned in an 87 to find himself in a tie for first with Steve Downey.  James Dicks fell one stroke back but made a good run shooting a 42 on the back nine to close the gap.  Once again Steve Downey took home the hardware when he beat Eddie on the first playoff hole just as he had done in 2011.

Jones Flight:  Mike Argyrakis has been playing pretty steady golf and fresh off of a victory the week prior at Prairie Isle playing in horrible conditions.  Gigi Leonard who is a Rookie on tour had a 4 stroke lead heading into the back nine but ran into a bit of trouble posting a 53 to surrender the lead and fall five strokes back of Mike giving him his first back to back win.

Snead Flight:  Mike Kelly has made a lot of improvements since joining the tour in 2011.  Of his last six tournaments, Mike has finished in the top four 5 of six times with two victories.  He turned in a 93 to finish tie for first with John Pacheco.  Mike posted his second victory winning in sudden death over John Pacheco

TOP FINISHERS & PAYOUTS:

CHAMPIONSHIP

74   Jim O’Connor ($100 & Trophy)

76  Curt Langille ($40)

PALMER

78* Jeff Kinney ($110 & Trophy) Won Playoff when John Mauck was unable to compete

78* John Mauck ($50)

79  Bill Sullivan ($20)

SENIOR PLAMER

82  Tom Joy ($90 & Trophy)

84  Mike Anderson ($30)

HOGAN

83  Mark Titone ($125 & Trophy)

86  Mike Lee ($65)

88  Doug Williams ($30)

SARAZEN

90  Andrew O’Neil ($100 & Trophy)

92  Willem Mijnarends ($40)

SENIOR SARAZEN

87* Steve Downey ($110 & trophy) won on first hole of playoff over Eddie Stephens

87* Eddie Stephens ($50)

88  James Dicks ($20)

JONES

93  Mike Argyrakis ($80 & Trophy)

SNEAD

93* Mike Kelly ($110 & Trophy) won in playoff over John Pacheco

93* John Pacheco ($50)

50/50 Raffle Drawing  ($350 Total; $175 to the Winner)

Dan Mueller ($175)

SKINS:

Championship/Palmer Flight:

$30 - Curt Langille, Jim O’Connor, Jerry Chianelli, Garrett Patten

$15 - Eric Swanson, Jeff Kinney, Bill Sullivan

Hogan Flight:

$45 – Mike Lee, Anthony Williams

Sarazen/Sr. Sarazen Flight:

$50 – Steve Downey, James Dicks, Eddie Stephens

Jones/Snead Flight:

$40 – John Pacheco, Mike Kelly

$20 – Gigi Leonard

Closest to the Pin:

$102 – Steve Downey (Hole #2), Eddie Stephens (Hole #6), Jim O’Connor (Hole #11),

             Dan Mueller (Hole #18)

Winter Chill at Prairie Isle

Where did the sunshine of March and early April go?  We were reminded that it wasn’t golf weather just yet.  Storms hit the area during the night and early morning making conditions soggy and cold.  There was serious doubt that the event would be played and many of the members didn’t care that the weather was going to be wet, windy and cold somewhere in the forties which with the wind felt like thirties.   Players came prepared and all seemed to have a great time even with having to wear winter gear.  A special thanks to all the members and a guest Andelino Martins for enduring the conditions and making the tournament at Prairie Isle a success.

Palmer Flight:

Jim O’Connor posted a 76 to win by three over Robert Allen.  Prairie Isle must suit Jim because he backed up his win from 2011 by defending his title in 2012.

Hogan Flight:

 

Ron Hoxsey held off a strong Hogan Field winning by one stroke over Mike Coble.  Notables were Dan Kwilas and Mark Titone who had a couple bad holes which kept them from taking home the title.

Sarazen Flight:

 

Mike Caithamer - Laird Hagmann turned in a round of 42 to lead the Sarazen field for the front nine but it was Mike Caithamer who made a huge charge posting a 37 on the back to win by 4 strokes.

Jones Flight:

 

Mike Argyrakis turned in his best round ever on the tour shooting an 85 and easily winning over the field by 12 strokes.  This could be a sign that Mike has finally worked out his swing issues and will be a strong force in the Jones Flight.

Snead Flight:

 

Mike Kelly of the Chicago South Tour is in his second year and finally posted his first win on tour with a round of 99.  Mike shot a better round the week before of 94 at Geneva National but finished in third.  Mike is beginning to prove he his game is getting better and he will be a strong Snead competitor.

Golf Galaxy Gift Card Winnings:

Palmer Flight:  Jim O’Connor (76) $100

                                Robert Allen (79) $40

Hogan Flight:     Ron Hoxsey ((84) $125

                                Mike Coble (85)  $70

                                Dan Kwilas (87) $25

                                Mark Titone (88) $20

Sarazen Flight: Mike Caithamer (82)  $130

                                Bill Neiert (86)  $70

                                Laird Hagmann (86)  $45

                                John Mitchell (87) $30

                                Tim Wenzel (88)  $25

Jones Flight:      Mike Argyrakis (85) $90

                                George Torres (97)  $30

Snead Flight:     Mike Kelly (99)  $100

OPTIONAL GAMES

Closest to the Pin:

#5           John Mitchell     $88

#8           Ron Hoxsey        $88

#15         Mike Coble         $88

#17         Mike Caithamer    $88

SKINS:

Palmer /Hogan SKINS

$38 – Jim O’Connor & Mike Coble

$19 – Bob Sherry, David Koth, Ron Hoxsey, Chris Van Spankeren

Sarazen SKINS

$100 – Mike Caithamer

  $50 – Laird Hagmann

Jones/Snead SKINS

$36 – Mike Argyrakis

$18 – Frederick Otto, George Torres

$  9 – Brian Kirschner