Results at Bridges of Poplar Creek

Bridges of Poplar Creek (Hoffman Estates, IL) is a Par 70 and not overly long.  It has been over 5 years since the tour visited this venue and the changes that were boasted about were very subtle, but the greens were still the same.  Unfortunately due to the heat wave experienced in the Chicago area the past couple weeks, the superintendant did not roll or cut the greens to their typical speed for far of burn out.  In addition to the changes, some holes were widened and areas cleared which made some holes play much easier.  Scores were low and the low round was turned in by Mark Palmer shooting a two under par 68.


Championship Flight: Mark Palmer set the bar high shooting a 33 on the front and the only other competitor was four strokes back as the pair made the turn.  Jon Escondo was unable to get anything going and Mark Palmer coasted to victory shooting a 68 (two under par).

Palmer Flight:  Kirk Blakney has been the hottest Palmer Player and he continued his success shooting two over par; 72.  Garrett Patten was hot on his heels but Kirk fired a one under on the back to win for the fourth time in 2012.

Hogan Flight:  Eric Swanson finally reached the winners circle shooting a great round, 74.  His best finish was 2^nd at Erin Hills in Wisconsin.  On his tail was Mike Coble who lost in sudden death playoff at Prairie Landing and Kendall Raczek.  Eric began his tour debut as a Palmer flight but requested to move to Hogan to get more tour experience.  It took his 6^th tournament as a Hogan to hoist the trophy.

Sarazen Flight: John Carrato records his second win of the year posting a nine over par; 79.  Eddie Stephens was close on his heels and has been playing much better since getting his lessons during the Heartland major at Swan Lake.  Eddie was three strokes back after nine but began to close in fast on the back nine.  John Carrato held onto his lead winning by one stroke over Eddie stephens.

Jones Flight:  Uzair Syed turned in his best round of the year shooting an 85 (15 over par) to win by six strokes.  Uzair took a four stroke lead after nine and turned in a 41 on the back securing his first win on tour.

Snead Flight:  Greg Harris has been a member on tour for awhile and hasn’t visited the winners circle since 2009.  2012 has been his year with winning three events; one being a Major at Myrtle Beach.  John Pacheco is the most consistent and strongest Snead Player on the North Tour but when Greg Harris jumped to a 6 stroke lead after nine, it appeared Greg would easily coast to victory.  John began closing the gap while Greg was faltering on the back nine.  Greg held on to win by one stroke shooting 86 while John posted an 87.

TOP FINISHERS & PAYOUTS:

CHAMPIONSHIP

68 – Mark Palmer ($40 Gift Card & Trophy)

PALMER

72 – Kirk Blakney ($100 Gift Card & Trophy)

HOGAN

74 – Eric Swanson ($110 Gift Card & Trophy)

78 – KendallRaczek ( $50 Gift Card

78 – Mike Coble ($20 Gift Card)

SARAZEN

79 – John Carrato ($130 Gift Card & Trophy)

80 – Eddie Stephens ($70 Gift Card)

82 – Mike Vogelsberg ($35 Gift Card)

86 – Matt Jura ($25 Gift Card)

JONES

85 – Syed Uzair ($100 Gift Card)

SNEAD

86 -  Greg Harris ($100 Gift Card & Trophy)

87 – John Pacheco ($40 Gift Card)

50/50 Raffle Drawing  ($480 Total; $240 to the Winner)

$100 – Mike Kelly

SKINS:

Championship/Palmer/Hogan Flights:

$36 – Kirk Blakney, Marco Pena

$18 – Mike Coble, Mike Doyle

Sarazen Flight:

$32 – John Carrato, Eddie Stephens

$16 – Steve Downey, Mark Geibelhausen, Bob Fredian, Mike Vogelsberg

Jones/Snead Flight:

$18 – Mario Jaile, Eric Powell, John Pacheco, George Checks, Greg Harris

Closest to the Pin:

$70 - #4 Jon Escondo; #7 Kendall Raczek; #11 Mark Palmer; #17 Eddie Stephens