Chicago Team Championship Results - Round 2 Postponed

Chicago North set out on Sunday to defend their title for the third straight time.  Weather didn’t dampen the player’s spirits but it did shorten the 36 hole tournament to 18, forcing a reschedule to complete the final 18 holes.  The teams competed in a nine hole two man Scramble and nine hole Better Ball Format; each hole was worth 2 points with a tie worth 1.   The teams were both tied after seven groups posted the rounds at 126 points each; it was groups 8 through 12 that made the difference and giving the Chicago North Tour a 16 point lead. 

The continuance of the Chicago Team event will take place in October due to scheduling conflicts with the 2012 Sr. National followed by the 2012 National Championship kicking off this weekend and tournaments already planned in September to kick off the start of the 2013 Season.  The total points of all four nine hole formats adds up to 1,080 of which only 40% of the points have been completed.  Though the Chicago North has a 16 point lead, the teams will battle for the remaining 648 points with 432 of those points coming from 24 head to head matches. 

The player’s who competed on Sunday will have first opportunity to compete in the final round however substitutes may need to be called in the event a player is unavailable.  Pete Kaufman (Chicago South Tour) had to battle for himself when his partner failed to show.  Pete will be assigned a new partner when the tournament resumes.

Mike Anderson/Mike Coble	20 pts.	Dan Steinman/ Bill Schump	16 pts.
Steve Downey/Mike Vogelsberg	17 pts.	Dan White/Jim Gotschall	19 pts
John Pacheco/George Torres	22 pts.	Solomon Ardison/ Franklin Morris	14 pts.
John Mauck/Dan Grabinski	17 pts.	Kirk Blakney/Jim Cannon	19 pts.
John Mitchell/Mark Giebelhausen	16 pts.	Terry Witte/Rick Wilson	20 pts.
Dan Kwilas/Frank Kaldis	17 pts.	Pete Kaufman/Partner No Showed	19 pts.
Eddie Stephens/Mark Titone	17 pts.	Mike Mullikin/DeRell Durr	19 pts.
Matt Bergstrom/Dane Yarnell	25 pts.	Pat Polzin/Brooks Biggs	11 pts.
Nomie Namie/Bill Neiert	15 pts.	Ben Bevill/Bryan Tyman	21 pts.
Leo Schnoor/Mike Teegen	24 pts.	Don Casey/Mike Coleman	12 pts.
Andrew O’Neil/Matt Jura	20 pts	Rich Ross/Clay Koenig	16 pts.
Mike Argyrakis/Brian Kirschner	14 pts.	Don Fiets/Brian Booker	22 pts.
CHICAGO NORTH TOUR	224	CHICAGO SOUTH TOUR	208

 

During the break a raffle drawing was conducted and 7 FREE Golf Channel AM Tour Memberships were awarded.  All season players participated in a 50/50 Raffle with proceeds helping to fund the Chicago Team event.  With the growth and participation this year, there was enough money left over to award four Free Memberships and a separate raffle held at the Team event awarded an additional 3 player’s.  Congratulations to the following player’s on winning a FREE Golf Channel AM Tour membership: Bryce Hanson (Brookfield, Chic. South Tour), Andre Jacob (Chicago, Chicago North Tour), Dan White (Elmhurst, Chicago South Tour), Mark Titone (Wood Dale, Chicago North Tour), Mike Coble (Wheaton, Chicago North Tour), Mike Kelly (Chicago, Chicago South Tour) and Terry Witte (Aurora, Chicago South Tour).

The 2012 Season wraps up with the national and Sr. National Championship and of the 104 Chicago Members that qualified to compete, 50 are making the trip with two on the waiting list.  Many of the players who will compete in the National or Sr. National Championship will be competing in the event for the first time.   Since 2006 a Chicago Member has hoisted the trophy and a couple years two Chicago Members hoisted the hardware.  With a good field heading to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida in September, the field consists of some very strong winners and should be a good opportunity for another winner or two.

Good luck to all the Chicago Members heading to Florida to compete in their respective flight. 

Major at Eagle Ridge Closes out the Regular Season

The Major at Eagle Ridge in Galena marked the final event of the Regular season.  6 Chicago Member’s took home the trophy out of the 10 flights that competed over the weekend.  Of the 22 players who finished in the Top 3, seven more have qualified for the national or Sr. National Championship bringing the total to 103 of the 233 member’s.  This represents the largest amount of qualifier’s ever for the Chicago Tours.

IMPORTANT – for those who have qualified and met the eligibility requirements, tomorrow is registration deadline and I strongly urge those who qualified to register tonight.  The field is filling very fast and could get closed out tonight.

Congratulations to the following Chicago Tour Champions at Eagle Ridge Major over the weekend:

  Championship Flight – Bradley Belcaster

    Hogan Flight – Pete Kaufman

  Sr. Hogan Flight – John Williams

  Sarazen Flight – Matt Jura (just promoted to Hogan)

  Jones Flight – Mike Dyer (just promoted to Sarazen)

  Snead Flight – Don Locke (just promoted to Jones)

  SR. Snead – George Checks

  Hole in One: (Mike Mullikin)  I was fortunate to arrive at the 8^th tee on the North Course to witness Mike Mullikin’s Hole-in-One which from the elevated tee and shadows looked like his ball was 2 feet from the cup; it was instead his pitch mark.  None of us saw the ball back up and go in the hole because of the height and shadows from the tee.

John Mauck flirted with a hole-in-one on the same hole when he hit his ball above the hole and this time we could clearly see his ball back up and just rim the edge.

Matt Bergstrom is the young Rookie to tournament golf and has been playing the game for just over 5 years.  On the 5^th hole (his 15^th hole) which is a Par 5, he hit drive in the left side of the fairway and blocked out from any chance of reaching the green in two.  He did something that very few if any would have attempted and that is hitting a sweeping hook aiming at nothing but dense woods.  Matt curved the ball some 70-80- yards to a green about 190-200 yards away.  He landed in the left greenside bunker and got it up and down for Birdie.

I am sure there were many other great shots that I wasn’t able to witness.  Good Luck to all those who have qualified for National’s or Sr. National’s.

Lastly, the 2013 tournament schedule portal will be visible Monday Sept. 17^th.  I will not have the entire schedule completed by then but will be working on it over the next 4-6 weeks after National’s.  Look for one or two event s in Northwest Indiana. 

The money race to make the Chicago Team begins Sept. 29^th.  I realize it is Ryder Cup weekend but there is little opportunity to get tournaments in before the weather really changes.  The first event will be played in Lake Geneva the Sunday the 23^rd and will appear on both schedules but is NOT an event used for the Team event.  Make sure to register on the 17^th if you are interested in playing the event in Lake Geneva I believe at Grand Geneva.

Chicago Team Campionship Tee Times

August 26, 2012
Willow Crest GC
Oak Brook, IL

Chicago North Team					Chicago South Team
Game	First	Last	Flight	Tee Time	First	Last	Flight
1	Mike	Anderson	Sr. Palmer	7:03am	Dan	Steinman	Sr. Palmer
	Mike	Coble	Sr. Hogan		Bill	Schump	Sr. Palmer
2	Steve	Downey	Sr. Sarazen	7:12am	Dan	White	Sr. Sarazen
	Mike	Vogelsberg	Sr. Sarazen		Robert	Fletcher	Sr. Sarazen
3	John	Pacheco	Sr. Jones	7:21am	Solomon	Ardison	Sr. Jones
	George	Torres	Jones		Franklin	Morris	Snead
4	John	Mauck	Palmer	7:30am	Kirk	Blakney	Palmer
	Dan	Grabinski	Palmer		Jim	Cannon	Palmer
5	Bob	Sherry	Sr. Hogan	7:39am	Terry	Witte	Hogan
	Mark	Giebelhausen	Sr. Sarazen		Rick	Wilson	Sr. Hogan
6	Dan	Kwilas	Hogan	7:48am	Pete	Kaufman	Hogan
	Frank	Kaldis	Hogan		Matt	Love	Hogan
7	Eddie	Stephens	Sr. Hogan	7:57am	Mike	Mullikin	Sr. Hogan
	Mark	Titone	Sr. Hogan		DeRell	Durr	Hogan
8	Matt	Bergstrom	Championship	8:06am	Pat	Polzin	Championship
	Dane	Yarnell	Championship		Brooks	Biggs	Championship
9	Nomie	Namie	Sr. Jones	8:15am	Ben	Bevill	Jones
	Bill	Neiert	Sr. Sarazen		Bryan	Tyman	Jones
10	Leo	Schnoor	Sr. Snead	8:24am	Don	Casey	Sr. Snead
	Mike	Teegen	Sr. Snead		Bryce	Hanson	Sr. Snead
11	Andrew	O'Neil	Sarazen	8:33am	Richard	Ross	Sarazen
	Matt	Jura	Sarazen		Clay	Koenig	Sarazen
12	Mike	Argyrakis	Jones	8:42am	Don	Fiets	Snead
	Brian	Kirschner	Snead		Brian	Booker	Snead

2012 Chicago Championship at Bowes Creek

Chicago Championship at Bowes Creek GC (Elgin, IL) was the site of the final 2012 local event for the Chicago Tours.  The course was in great shape and many players commented on the speed of the greens and how great they rolled.  The Chicago Tour was visited by Regional Director, Drake Schunck who is making his way to the last Major at Eagle Ridge in Galena to review the status of the Chicago Tours and talk to many members.

There were some first time winner’s who have hosted the trophy for the first time: Eric Stewart (Palmer Flight), Ed Vanek (Hogan Flight) and Dan Locke (Snead Flight).  A few players hung around to have some fun and pose for pictures. 

  Mike Mullikin posed with Linda Downey wife to Tour Director John Downey took time to pose for a picture with Mike. 

  Mike Argyrakis posed for his vogue moment while Mike Kelly watched on as Dan Locke did his celebration dance on his first win.



The staff at Bowe’s Creek GC was the one of the best we have experienced and are in the top 5 course’s who appreciated our business.  Kathleen Duffy (Event Director for Bowes Creek) stopped by the first tee a couple times to make sure everything was running smooth and if there was anything she could do more to make our tournament better. 

Congratulations to those who won their respective flight and with the win, if they haven’t qualified already, they winner’s now qualify for the 2012 Senior National or National Championship.  When all is said and done, the Chicago Tours will have qualified over 50 member’s to represent the Chicago area.  The Chicago Championship was a great close to the local season schedule.

 

Championship Flight: Brooks Biggs returned to the winner’s circle and took off on the back nine shooting a 2 under par 34 to post the low round of the day at one under; 71.  Bradley Belcaster was even after the first nine and Jon Escondo was only one back.  Bradley posted an even par 36 to fall two strokes back to the strong close of Brooks.

Palmer Flight:  Eric Stewart competes on the Chicago South Tour and travels from St. Joseph, MI to compete in the Chicago Tour.  He raced to make his tee time and arrived just in time without any practice and a brief moment to putt.  Eric has never won on the Chicago Tour and finally hoisted the trophy.  Eric took charge shooting a 37 on the outward nine and a four stroke lead over Mitch Waller. 

Hogan Flight:  Ed Vanek is celebrating the birth of his first child a few months ago and was unable to compete at all as he prepared for the delivery of his first child.  When the Hogan Flight made the turn, Pete Kaufman and Brad Easterling matched Ed’s front nine.  Jim Thompson turned in a great back nine shooting a 39, but Ed also turned in a 36 to hold off Jim’s charge winning by 3 strokes.

Sr. Hogan Flight:  Mike Coble posted a score of 74 which was due to outstanding putting.  He was making long putts to save par and on one hole he drove his tee ball in a hazard, placed his third shot 25 feet from the cup and holed the putt.  Mike took charge early shooting a 37 to lead by four strokes and he continued his strong play and closed with another one over 37 for a final round of 74.

Sarazen Flight: Matt Jura won his 2^nd event of the year and assured him a spot on the Chicago North Team.  Jim Stout and Jim Gotschall matched Matt’s 43 as they headed to the closing nine holes.  Matt stepped it up closing with a 41 and was being pursued by Clay Koenig.  Matt held on to win by 3 strokes over Clay.

Sr. Sarazen Flight:  John Goldenne held off Tom Ward and Bruce Gallo who were only one stroke back after nine.  The strong field included multiple winners but it was John who held on to win by one stroke over top Chicago South player Tom Ward.

Jones Flight:  Bryan Tyman had only 4 wins dating back to 2009 through 2011.  Bryan posted 4 wins in 2012 and back to back winning the Chicago Championship.  Bryan took charge of the Jones Flight shooting a front nine 41 and a six stroke lead.  Bryan closed with a 41 to shoot 82 and winning by seven strokes over Sr. Jones Member Nomie Namie.

Snead Flight:  Dan Locke joined the tour in 2011 and played only a few events this season.  He celebrates his first win shooting an 85.  It has been Dan’s goal to move up in flight and his wish will come true when the Tour Indexes are updated August 20^th.  Dan is trending to a 19.4 and will be placed in the Jones Flight just in time for National’s.  Franklin Morris was even with Dan but struggled on the back shooting a 48 to fall eight strokes back and finished in 2^nd.

Sr. Snead Flight:  Mike Teegen spoiled Leo Schnoors bid to win his fourth straight event and 5^th win in his first season on tour.  Mike had a three stroke lead over Leo but gave it back on the back nine.  When the pair finished their round, they were tied at 95 and headed to the first tee for a playoff.  Both player’s were very nervous but it was Mike Teegen who hit a par saving chip over a bunker and leaving a 6 foot putt.  Leo struggled with his nerves which affected his short game play.  With Mike on the green in three and Leo putting for a seven, it was more than enough lead for Mike to handle his own nervous issues.  Mike went on to make the putt with Leo cheering him on.

TOP FINISHERS & PAYOUTS:

CHAMPIONSHIP

71 – Brooks Biggs ( $90 (Gift Card & Trophy)

73 – Brad Belcaster ($30 Gift Card)

PALMER

78 – Eric Stewart ($120 Gift Card & trophy)

83 - Don O’Neil ($60 Gift Card) Won Scorecard playoff

83 – Jade Mosher ($20 Gift card)

HOGAN

79 – Edward Vanek ($120 Gift Card & Trophy)

82 – Jim Thompson ($60 Gift Card)

84 – Mike Doyle ($20 Gift Card)

Sr. HOGAN

74 – Mike Coble ($110 Gift Card & Trophy)

79 – Mike Caithamer ($50 Gift Card)

SARAZEN

84 – Matt Jura ($125 Gift Card & Trophy)

87 – Clay Koenig ($65 Gift card)

89 – Jim Gotschall ($30 Gift Card) won scorecard playoff for position

89 – Taylor Stout ($20 Gift Card)

Sr.  SARAZEN

86 – John Goldenne ($120 Gift Card & Trophy)

87 – Tom Ward ($60 Gift Card)

92 – Bill Neiert ($20 Gift Card)

JONES

82 – Bryan Tyman ($90 Gift Card & Trophy)

89 – Nomie Namie ($30 Gift Card)

SNEAD

85 – Dan Locke ($110 Gift Card & Trophy)

93 – Brian Kirschner ($50 Gift Card) won scorecard playoff

93 – Franklin Morris ($20 Gift Card)

Sr. SNEAD

95* – Mike Teegen ($110 Gift Card & Trophy)

95* - Leo Schnoor ($50 Gift Card)

99  - Bryce Hanson ($20 Gift Card)

50/50 Raffle Drawing 

$195.00  Mark Titone

SKINS:

Championship/Palmer Flight:

$80 – Brooks Biggs

$20 – Mike Anderson, Mitch Waller

Hogan/Sr. Hogan Flight:

$54 – Pete Kaufman

$27 – Joe Waterson, Jim Cannon, Mike Coble, Mike Caithamer

Sarazen/Sr. Sarazen Flight:

$33 – John Goldenne, Bob Fredian, Joe Cofey, Matt Jura, Taylor Stout, Rich Ross

Jones/Snead/Sr. Snead Flight:

$92 – John Gerba

$46 – Bryan Tyman, Mike Argyrakis, Bill Beckey

Closest to the Pin:  (Included carryover from Orchard Valley)

$177/ea - #3 Tom Lally; #5 Mark Titone; #14 Mike Anderson: #16 Bill Neiert