Prairie Landing kicked off the 2nd half of the Chicago North & South Tours. The links style course was in excellent condition; features rolling hills, prairie grass and greens that have very few flat spots. Player’s were not complaining about the hot humid temperatures and strong winds considering the terrible conditions they played in during the months of April & May. Some of the pin positions had player’s asking John Downey (Tour Director) if he had angered the Course Superintendent, however many were still able to shoot good scores.
The Chicago Tour was visited by Mark Rzotkiewicz (NY and past member of Chicago), David Small (St Louis Tour), Mitchell Vitrano ((Seattle Tour), Milwaukee Tour Members Kelly Muzzy, Bruce Pate, Don Sanford and Travis Robinson. There is nothing more enjoyable than to have other members visit the area and participate in a Chicago event. Thank you to all who helped make the tournament at Prairie Landing a success.
Four Friends unite and play togehter at Prairie Landing.
Linda Downey setting up for the large field
Prairie Landing 2011 Champions
Championship Flight
Prairie Landing featured three-time Sr. National Champion Ken Larney, multiple winner’s Dane Yarnell, Mark Palmer, Andrew Wilson, Craig Winning and first year member’s Jon Escondo and Jim Hurckes. Dane Yarnell posted a 35 (one under par) make the turn to the back nine. Mark Palmer was one back Ken Larney and Andrew Wilson were only 2 back as they made the turn. Ken Larney quickly turned the tables scoring an Eagle on the Par 5 tenth hole to draw even with Dane Yarnell. Mark Palmer did not post a birdie on the back nine but had all pars. Dane began to slip with bogies on 10, 11 and a double bogey on 12. When the round finally came to an end, Mark Palmer and Dane Yarnell found themselves in a Sudden Death Playoff. Mark palmer bested Dane Y. on the second hole of sudden death to take home the trophy.
Palmer Flight
Many past Palmer winners were in the field along with 2009 National Palmer Champion Pat Polzin. The leading Palmer player is Steve Dlugosinski who is having a good 2011 was in the clubhouse tied with Dan Steinman at 79. The pair waited to see if there would be a three way playoff or if Pat Polzin snagged the trophy. Dan Steinman had a one stroke lead over Pat and Steve as they made the turn. Neither Pat nor Steve carded a birdie on the back but remained steady but were 2 strokes back of Dan as they hit the closing three holes. Dan stumbled on 16 and 17 which had Steve and Dan tied going into hole 18. Meanwhile, Pat was still 2 strokes behind Dan and drew even with Steve after 15 holes. Pat walked in the clubhouse finishing the last three holes with pars to win over Dan Steinman and Steve Dlugosinski.
Hogan Flight
Hosted a lot of winners and looking at the closing scores showed just how tight the field was. Jim Cannon fresh off of his Swan Lake Major tournament win was going against multiple winner Don Sanford of the Milwaukee tour who has yet to win in his own tour this season. Multiple winner Jim Polubinski also made up the strong field. Bruce Pate was the leader as the player’s made the turn, Jim Polubinski was even par heading to the toughest par 4 on the course and put up a crooked number 10 but finished the last 4 holes shooting par to make the turn 6 over. Bruce started his back nine with a 9 opening the door but it was Don Sanford’s 39 on the back that pushed him to the front of the pack to win for the 3rd time in Chicago. Although before the day started, Don started talking about some injuries and not sure if he would be able to finish the round; did I mention there is no crying in golf? Bruce Pate lost the tournament on the closing four holes scoring 4 over par but finished his day with a birdie on 18.
Sr. Hogan Flight
The winner was clear before the player’s finished nine holes. While the field was putting up big numbers on the front Raj Jayaraman carded 4 birdies and 2 bogies to take a 2 under par to the back nine. The margin was too great for anyone to close the gap and make a run and it would have required Raj to collapse on the back nine. Raj coasted home shooting 5 over on the back to post a solid round of 75. This was his best round since joining the tour 5 years ago.
Sarazen Flight
Frank Kaldis, 2010 Chicago Champion was looking to best the field. Frank was the early leader in the clubhouse but had to wait for three more groups to come in. As the scores began to post, his name remained at the top of the leader board. Down to just one more player, Frank anxiously awaited the result. New Member Mary Kate Rohn played in her second tournament and posted a 79 to win by two strokes over Frank Kaldis. Frank had no idea how the rest of his flight was doing and not aware he had a one stroke lead over Mary Kate after she made the turn. When Frank made the turn he was going along just fine even though he bogied the par five tenth hole, it was the stretch of holes 13-15 which Frank scored 5 over par that opened the door for the field. Despite his back nine, there is nothing wrong with an 81 in the Sarazen Flight. Mary Kate however carded a 39 on the back to beat Frank by two strokes and hoist her first trophy on tour.
Sr. Sarazen Flight
The Sr. Flight at Prairie was the smallest of the year and quite surprising that was the case. In the field though were multiple winners Steve Downey and Mark Titone who is also fresh off of his 2011 Swan Lake Major winning the 36 hole event. There was a tight race brewing with the leader after nine, Richard Wright by 3 to 5 strokes over the field. As proven in other flights, the back nine is what decided who would win their flight. After carding a 39 on the front, Richard came stumbling in with 8 over on the back to give him a final score of 83. Steve Downey was the leader in the clubhouse but was hoping for 2nd place after mark Titone posted his round of 84. They both waited for the last Sr. Sarazen to post and it was no surprise to Mark Titone that he lost by one stroke because he has experienced that many times in his first year on tour.
Jones Flight
The field had the feel of a Major with 13 players and many past winners. James Francey has struggled on tour since joining the tour in 2010 and has yet to win. When James finished his front nine he had carded a 39 and well on his way. As is the case in the Jones Flight, things can change quickly and no lead is safe. After 11 holes James was still 3 over par and looked like he would cruise home easily. “The Judge” Eddie Stephens did not factor in until James started to slide shooting 10 over par on the last 7 holes. James Francey managed to hang on to win by two strokes over Eddie Stephens to card his first win on tour.
Snead Flight
Sixteen player’s made up the Snead Flight and is the largest field ever in a Chicago Tournament. Don Fiets was in the first group of the day so he could assist with scoring, taking pictures and announcing the winners. In the house with an 88, he had to wait over 5 ½ hours for the last Snead Player to come in to confirm his victory. No lead is safe in the Snead Flight because players have the ability to fall apart as well as get hot for a few holes. Thomas Martinez felt good about his 92 which usually wins the Snead Flight every time except Don Fiets posted his best round of the past couple years.
Championship Flight:
73 Mark Palmer ($100 GC & Trophy)
73 Dane Yarnell ($40 GC)
Palmer Flight:
78 Pat Polzin ($130 GC & Trophy)
79 Steve Dlugosinski ($70 GC won scorecard playoff for 2nd)
79 Dan Steinman ($30 GC)
82 Chuck Malik ($10 GC)
Hogan Flight:
82 Don Sanford ($110 GC & Trophy)
83 Jim Cannon ($50 GC, won scorecard over Bruce Pate)
Sr. Hogan Flight:
75 Raj Jayaraman ($100 GC & Trophy)
87 Tom Ward ($40 GC)
Sarazen Flight:
79 Mary Kate Rohn ($135 GC & Trophy)
81 Frank Kaldis ($75 GC)
86 Terry Quakenbush ($35 GC)
87 Kevin Holland ($15 GC)
Sr. Sarazen Flight:
83 Richard Wright ($100 GC & Trophy)
84 Mark Titone ($40 GC)
Jones Flight:
86 James Francey ($135 GC & Trophy)
88 Eddie Stephens ($75 GC)
89 Jorge Arteta ($35 GC)
90 Jim Patchett ($15 GC)
OPTIONAL GAMES – Big Winners
Closest to the Pin (5 par three’s) Each Won $120
Pat Polzin - Hole #3 (3 feet 6 inches)
Raj Jayaraman – Hole #6 (23 Inches)
Robert Fredian – Hole #12 (1 foot 8 inches)
Charlie Dunkel – Hole #14 (7 feet 2 inches)
John Antoni – Hole #17 (5 feet 10 inches)
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