Pat Polzin goes low

The 2011 National Championship closed round two with a lot of movement.  Pat Polzin ( Chicago South Tour) shot a two under par (70) at the La Quinta Mountain Course moving up from 6^th to 2^nd.  Dane Yarnell (Championship Flight) is 5 back, tied for 5^th shooting a 73.  Andrew Wilson posted a 73 today and won a $285 Skin knocking in a 175 yard approach shot for an Eagle.

The Championship moves to the all-important third round which is moving day.  Pat Polzin is in position to make another run at being crowned National Champion.  Dane Yarnell is due for a subpar round and in position to make a run at winning the National Championship once again. 

2011 Sr. National Championship comes to a close

The 2011 Sr. National Championship came to an exciting finish.  Of those who played in their first Championship, they truly enjoyed the experience.  The players who had afternoon rounds played in intense heat and the key to maintaining strength and focus was keeping hydrated.  A couple players as well as a couple spectators suffered dehydration which caused one Member to be hospitalized and a
Female spectator passed out.  Those who kept it together had great results.

Chicago South, Chicago North and Milwaukee should be pleased with how its members did.  Congratulations to those who finished in the to five: Curt Langille (Milwaukee Tour), Dan Steinman (Chicago South), Richard Naef ( Milwaukee Tour) and John Williams (Chicago North).

Congratulations to the following Sr. Players:

Sr. Championship flight: Curt Langille fell short by three strokes and two holes is what prevented Curt from coming home with the trophy.  Curt started out with a par but on the Par Five 2^nd hole, Curt ran into a lot of trouble and posted a nine.  He managed a couple of birdies but then triple bogied 14 to knock him out of a chance to win the Championship Flight.  Curt finished 3^rd and earned exempt status into 2012 Sr. National Championship.

Sr. Palmer Flight: Dan Steinman led the Sr. Palmer flight for the first three rounds and had a one stroke lead going into the final round on the Greg Norman Course.  The day started out rough and the lead soon switched after the first two holes with Clifford Conover taking a one stroke lead.  When the front finished, Dan found himself four strokes back. With three holes to play, Dan had closed the gap to within two strokes.  Though he shot a 38 on the back, it wasn’t enough to make up the difference from the front nine.  Dan represented himself and the Chicago Tour proudly finishing 2^nd in a flight of 69 competitors.

Sr. Hogan Flight:  John Williams had a great week winning big money on the first day ($2,600).  The Sr. Hogan Flight was 129 players strong finishing in the Top Ten is a great accomplishment.  John finished in 7^th place with a closing round score of 83.

Sr. Sarazen Flight: Mark Giebelhausen posted an opening round 94 and tied for 38^th with 7 other players.  Mark made the biggest move finishing in 16^th out of 93 in his flight.  Though he was well out of the lead after day one, Mark continued to battle to improve on his first round position.

Sr. Snead Flight: Richard Naef hung in to the very end but was unable to make up the 8 stroke difference but finished in 3^rd Place.

Congratulations to all who competed in the Sr. National Championship.   Chicago has had Champions in the past but Curt Langille (Sr. Championship) and Richard Naef (Sr. Sarazen) are the first on the Milwaukee tour to reach the Top Five.  The Open Division players are in town and it is their turn to pick up where the senior’s left off.

The days will be much longer because the field size is nearly 200 more than the Sr. Championship so posting an update might not occur.  Make sure to follow your tour members by going to www.gcamtour.com then select your tour.  Go to schedule and click on “Leader Board” for the National Championship.  I wish all the Open Flight players from Chicago North, Chicago South and Milwaukee luck.  

Round 2 - 2011 Sr. National Championship

The 2011 Sr. National Championship came to a close with some excitement on both the Nicklaus and Stadium courses which produced two holes in one. On the La Quinta Course a Chicago South Tour Member was rushed to the hospital from heat exhaustion and I am pleased to report that he was released from the hospital. Richard said he drank plenty of water the night before and prior to his round but today was over 100 degrees.

Sr. Championship Flight: KC Fox of FL is giving little ground and it will take some aggressive play to catch him. Curt Langille of the Milwaukee Tour shot a 74 on the Stadium Course and is 3 strokes back and Mark Palmer of the Chicago North Tour posted a 75 and is 5 strokes back.

Sr. Palmer Flight: Dan Steinman (Chicago South Tour) is 2 strokes in front and shot a 79 on the Stadium Course. Dan heads to the La Quinta Mountain course and can put up a good number without being aggressive. The key is taking time on the greens which are not as good as the Nicklaus or Stadium courses.

Sr. Hogan Flight: Don Jongeward (Milwaukee Tour) posted an 85 in round one and moved up 8 spots posting the same number on day two. Don has an opportunity to move further up the leader board depending on how aggressive he wants to be. Day three is when players make their move and the leaders continue to play conservative. John Williams (Chicago North) dropped back to 7^th following his first round 76 with an 85 today. He is still in a good position to make a charge without having to play too aggressively. The leader is the one who needs to protect the lead and if he plays aggressive he could easily bring the field closer to him.

Sr. Snead Flight: Bryce Hanson (Chicago South Tour) started his second round 2 back of the lead but a 109 pushed him down the leader board to 31^st. Bryce believes he will overcome this round and still make a run at the Leader because he is only 18 strokes out of first. With two rounds yet to play and in the Sr. Snead Flight Bryce could easily gain ground. Richard Naef (Milwaukee Tour) is still in a great position 3 back of the lead after shooting a 94. Richard is headed to the tough Stadium course and a great opportunity to make a strong move. There are several holes awaiting players like the par three 17^thwhich played 137 yds for the Sr. Palmer/Sr. Championship flight where large numbers loom. One Sr. Palmer put up a ten after putting four balls in the water. The drop area is no bargain which is a 50 yard shot over water. The 16^th hole left side bunker is about 8 feet below the green and anyone who finds that bunker will find it nearly impossible to get to the top. I expect some big moves on the Stadium course tomorrow.

Skins Game: TimWenzel (Milwaukee Tour) and John Carrato (Chicago North) won $312 in Skins money.

Go to www.gcamtour.comfor results.

2011 Sr. Championship is underway - Chicago North looking good

The 2011 Sr. National Championship got underway today and though some of the Chicago North hopefuls did not fair well, several member's posted good rounds putting them in a great position heading into the second round.

Mark Palmer (Sr. Championship) posted an opening round 74, 3 strokes back.  John Williams (Sr. Hogan) shot an outstanding round 76 two strokes back of the lead.  But the shot of the day was the birdie he posted on hole number nine of the LaQuinta Mountain course which won John a hefty skin payout of $2,600.  Not a bad way to start out the Championship.  Eddie Stephens (SR. Sarazen) posted an 88 only 7 strokes back and Mike Teegen (Sr. Snead) is ten strokes back shooting a 100.

There is plenty of time to make up ground over the next three days, especially in the Snead flight.   Follow the player's throughout the week: www.gcamtour.com/chicago-north

Ken Larney -loses in sudden Death to advance

Ken Larney (Chicago South Tour) competed this morning in Sudden Death stroke play for one of the remaining 8 spots in the Match Play format. He posted a two day total 151 (79-72) to find himself in a tie with 9 others all hoping to make it to the Match Play format of the US Senior Amateur Championship.  Unfortunately Ken lost in sudden death and did not make the 64 man roster, but should be proud just the same. 

In a conversation with Ken, he is having the time of his life and is just excited to have had a shot at the final stage.  I am sure he took a lot from his first experience and will try again next year.  Great job Ken and good luck at the National Championship next week.   

Chicago North Retains Title

Chicago North Retains the Team Trophy

The Chicago Team Championship took place at Bowes Creek CC in Elgin IL and unlike the first year of the event in 2010, the weather was excellent.  The Chicago North Tour was in defense of their win of the inaugural 2010 event.   Forty eight members of the Golf Channel Amateur Tour (24 from the North and 24 from the South Tour) assembled to play 36 holes in 4 different 9 hole formats.  The event was funded from moneys collected throughout the year and raffle drawings during each local tournament.  Player’s received a shirt, lunch after the first round and 36 holes of golf.

The formats played were 9 hole Best Ball, ( hole Match, 9 Hole Modified Alternate and closing with 9 hole two man scramble.  The event got underway with Chicago North having honors on the first tee, as the groups made the turn from their front nine Best Ball format; Chicago North had taken the lead.  When all the groups made the turn to play the Individual Match Play format for the back nine, Chicago had closed the Best Ball Format 120 pts. to 96; 24 point lead going into the individual matches.

Don Fiets Chicago South Tour Director and John Downey Chicago North Tour Director got periodic updates and it appeared Chicago North was well underway of taking charge of the Team Championship.  As the groups completed the first two nine hole formats, they took time to have a lunch and head back on the course to begin the second round.  The individual matches were critical because they produced the greatest number of points.  When the final numbers were posted for the 9 hole Match Play portion, Chicago North took a commanding lead scoring 240 pts to Chicago South’s 192 (48 pts.).  The combined total put Chicago North 70 points ahead and a huge uphill battle for the Chicago South Tour to overcome.

The challenge for the final 9 hole 2 Man Scramble portion was darkness and how many groups would be able to complete the final nine holes.  The last group completed their 35 hole and halved the 18^th due to darkness.  The Individual matches did prove to be the deciding factor and the Chicago South Tour only cut into the 70 point lead and at the close of the 36 hole Team Championship it was Chicago North retaining the Title winning 574 to 506. 

Chicago South did have one small victory during the Team Championship; their members won all four Closest to the Pin Contests in Round one ($320 Purse).  The winner’s were Pat Polzin, John Gerba, Mike Dyer and Rob Merritt all winning $80 each.  More important than the outcome was the camaraderie among all the participants and the friendships made.  Several are headed to the National or Sr. National Championship with a goal of bringing home the trophy within their respective flight.

Chicago South Tour Player’s:



John Mudrock & Tom Jankowski



Rob Merritt/Pat Polzin

Don O’Neil/Eric Stewart

Jim Cannon/DeRell Durr

Rich Ross/Terry Quakenbush

Mike Dyer/Fabio Teso

Brian Booker/Mike Kelly

Pete Kaufman/Jim Polubinski

Dan Steinman/Jacob Honath

John Mudrock/Tom Jankowski    
                                                 Rick Wilson/Tom Ward

                                                 John Gerba/Dick Wright

                                                 Steve Michaels/Bryce Hanson

2011 Chicago Team Champions – Chicago North



Dane Yarnell & Mark Palmer

 Mark Palmer/Dane Yarnell

Chick Malik/Steve Dlugosinski

John Flowers/Tom Hester

Frank Kaldis/Tim Schabb

James Francey/Charlie Dunkel

John Pacheco/Jason Kolakowski

Mark Titone/chuck Gleason

Raj Jayaraman/Tom Joy

John Antoni/John Williams

Randy Simonson/Steve Downey
Eddie Stephens/John Carrato

Mike Teegen/John Kosnik 


John Pacheco picking up to play from his partners position

    

Chicago Championship Results

Prairie Landing Golf Club

Host of the 2011 Chicago Championship



The 2011 Chicago season ended a whole lot better than how it started.  Prairie Landing offered perfect conditions with the typical wind and as usual in great shape except for water damage to the right side of the 11^th hole.  The first hole at Prairie Landing increases the energy level that already exists with first tee jitters.  With a fairway that slopes to the right toward a large water hazard and winds that usually blow from left to right forcing player’s to play left.  If a player goes too far left, they end up with a blind shot to the green which is protected by a water hazard to the left front edge.  Those who had the courage and length will drive over the right hazard which requires at least a 230 yard drive to carry the hazard; a great starting hole for the Championship.

The Chicago Championship was visited by 50 Tour Members anxious to end the season as the Champion of Chicago within their respective flight.  There is nothing like the first tee when a player’s name is announced as they try to contain the nerves to hit a quality shot.  As many soon found out, success on the first hole did not mean success throughout the day.  Though the nerves may have calmed, there were still plenty of holes that presented challenges requiring well positioned tee shots.

For some, the tournament ended all too soon as players struggled to maneuver the first 6 holes.  Congratulations to all the Champions.   

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT: 2011 Champion – Jim O’Connor

The Championship Flight was contested by two players; Jim O’Connor and John Thom from the Milwaukee Tour.  Both competitors struggled on the first hole scoring a double bogey to start their Championship.  Joe Thom was unable to get anything going and had a stretch of bad holes that put him 6 strokes back shooting a 46 on the front nine.  The back nine didn’t fare much better except for a lonely birdie on the par three 14^th hole.  Joe closed out his first round scoring a nine on the par five 18^th hole for a round of 91.  Jim O’Connor managed to find a birdie on the par five 7^th but a bogey on eight gave him a front nine round of 40.  Jim went on to post a 39 on the back and increase his lead by 12 shooting a first round 79.  The second round started out the same way for Joe Thom as it did in round one with a double bogey and he needed a lot of help from Jim if he were to get back into the Championship.  Jim closed out the tournament shooting an 81 for a two day total of 160 to win the Championship.

PALMER FLIGHT: 2011 Champion – Steve Dlugosinski

Steve Dlugosinski got off to a fast start paring the first and birdying the second.  With a bogey on 8 and a par on nine, Steve went out in 36.  Jacob Honath birdied hole’s 6 and 7 to get his round to even par but closed the 8^th and 9^th at four over for a front nine of 40.  Jacob fought hard to stay within striking distance but a triple bogey on the par five 13^th pushed him four more strokes back when Steve birdied the same hole.  When round one finished, Steve Dlugosinski had a 7 stroke lead over Jacob Honath and nine stroke lead over Dan Steinman.  Steve, Jacob and Dan were in the final pairing in the Palmer Flight.  All three started their second round bogeying the first hole and paring the second.  Steve really poured on the pressure when he pared the next eleven holes followed by a birdie to get him back to even par after thirteen.  Steve cruised home with an easy victory and posted the low two day total with a score of 149.

HOGAN FLIGHT: 2011 Champion – John Mauck

John Mauck was not the early leader after the first two holes posting double bogies to start his Championship run.  When the front nine ended on day one, John Mauck, Jim Cannon and DeRell Durr were all tied at 42.  Brad Easterling was also in the hunt after four holes but was unable to stop the slide on holes five through nine posting a 49 on the front; seven strokes back.  Brad managed to post a 37 on the back but it was Jim Cannon who took the lead putting up a 39 to head into the final round one stroke ahead of John and five ahead of DeRell and Brad.  Jim Cannon, John Mauck and Brad Easterling were in the final group in the Hogan Flight.  DeRell Durr was in the group ahead of the leaders but his struggles continued and he quickly fell out of the hunt.  Jim posted a 48 on the front; 10 strokes back of John Mauck.  Brad Easterling posted a round of 77 which usually is a strong run at the leader, except on this day John Mauck posted the 2^nd lowest score of the day with a 75.  Over the two day tournament, John scored 7 birdies to finish with a winning two day total of 157.

SENIOR HOGAN FLIGHT: 2011 Champion – Mike Coble

Jeff Bassett had to withdraw with a back issue and the field was reduced to four competitors.  Ron Hoxsey took a strong lead posting a front nine 40 and a 7 stroke lead over Mike Coble.  Tom Ward and Rick Wilson were unable to get anything going to challenge Ron and until the back nine, it appeared Ron was in control of the tournament.  Mike Coble came charging back on the back posting a score of 36 to go along with his front nine 47 for a first round 83.   When the first round came to an end, it was a two man race between Ron Hoxsey and Mike Coble who were tied at 83.  With a 9 stroke lead the pair new one of them should emerge the champion.  Mike Coble managed only 5 pars in his second round shooting a closing round of 85, but the key was he never put up a crooked number.  Ron Hoxsey was not so fortunate as he drop 5 strokes back with a triple on hole number two and a nine of the par four 5^th hole.  Mike avoided the big numbers and finished with a score of 85 for a two day total of 168 to win by 6 strokes.

SARAZEN FLIGHT: 2011 Champion – Chuck Gleason

Mark Titone is headed to the National Championship as a Sr. Hogan and has been the dominant force in the Sr. Sarazen ranks in his rookie year.  It was Chuck Gleason who took the early lead by two strokes posting a 42 on the front while both Mark Titone and Richard Wright posted 44’s.  Mark Titone made a charge on the back nine shooting an even par 36 for a first round lead by two strokes with a score of 80.  Richard Wright finished his first round 5 strokes back shooting an 85.  Chuck Gleason shot two strokes better on the back but ended the day two strokes back with a first round score of 82.  The final pairing was Chuck Gleason, Mark Titone and Richard Wright.  Richard started out strong firing a birdie on the first hole but for the next twelve holes fell fast and out of the race.  Chuck Gleason took over the lead with a birdie on hole 4.  When the front nine ended, Chuck Gleason now had a two stroke lead over Mark Titone.  When the pair reached the 34^th hole, they were both tied.  Chuck took charge again with a birdie on 16 and a Par on 17 for a two stroke lead and a winning two day total of 159.

JONES FLIGHT: 2011Champion - Thomas Jankowski

Tom Jankowski and John Carrato both finished their first round with a score of 96, eleven strokes back.  Jorge Arteta (85), Solomon Ardison (88) and Randy Simonson (90) appeared to be in charge of the flight with their first round scores.  John Carrato posted a final round of 88 and a glimmer of hope.  Unlike the lower flights, an eleven stroke lead might seem daunting, but in the Jones flight things can change quickly.  Tom Jankowski finished strong and turned in a closing score of 85 for a two day total of 181 and John Carrato finished with a closing score of 184.  When Tom was summoned from the restaurant area, he thought he was coming to collect Skins money.  When it was announced that he had won the Championship in the Jones Flight, he was stunned.  The leaders Jorge Arteta (102), Solomon Ardison (98) and Randy Simonson (104) hit a wall and were unable to stop the slide they were on.  In a 36 hole tournament, anything can happen and it was Tom Jankowski who improved his first day round by 11 strokes giving him a shot.  He would have never expected all three leaders to close with the low score among them to be a 98.

SNEAD FLIGHT:  2011Champion – Clay Koenig

Don Fiets was in the house early with a 94 with a one stroke lead over John Pacheco (95), three ahead of Dan Locke and a five stroke lead over Bryce Hanson and Clay Koenig who both shot 99.  Even Brian Booker (103) and Tom Lally (108) were still in the hunt because just like the Jones Flight, things can change fast in the Snead Flight.  Don Fiets was in the very last group of the day and was unable to finish his round due to back pain.  Don withdrew for fear of making things worse and with National’s a couple weeks away, he did not want to risk further damage.  Little did Clay Koenig know that Don had dropped out of the competition or the troubles that john Pacheco and Dan Locke were having behind him.  Clay posted a final round of 91 but didn’t believe it would be good enough to catch the leaders.  When Clay saw Don at the scoring area, he was the leader in the clubhouse with two players yet to come in.  John Pacheco triple bogied three holes and a quad on the par five 4^th hole to lose by two strokes with a final score of 97.  Dan Locke never got anything going and was unable to make a run and finished third with a two day total of 195.  Clay Koenig was standing around the scoring area hoping he finished in the money and won some skins.  His reaction was similar to Tom Jankowski and one in disbelief that he had won the Championship.  Clay posted the low round for the Snead Flight with a 91 for a two day total of 190.

Congratulations to the winners of their respective flights and thank you all for a wonderful season!

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT

160 (79-81)

Jim O’Connor

Champion $60 Gift Card & Trophy

PALMER FLIGHT

149 (76-73)	Steve Dlugosinski	Champion $150 Gift Card & Trophy
165 (85-80)	Dan Steinman	$70 Gift Card
173 (83-90)	Jacob Honath	$20 Gift Card

HOGAN FLIGHT

157 (82-75)	John Mauck	Champion $130 Gift Card & Trophy
163 (81-82)	Jim Cannon	$50 Gift Card
163 (86-77)	Brad Easterling	Lost to Jim Cannon in score card playoff for 2nd

SENIOR HOGAN FLIGHT

168 (83-85)	Mike Coble	Champion $110 Gift Card & Trophy
174 (83-91)	Ron Hoxsey	$30 Gift Card

SARAZEN FLIGHT

159 (82-77)	Chick Gleason	Champion $200 Gift Card & Trophy
162 (80-82)	Mark Titone	$120 Gift Card
174 ( 85-89)	Richard Wright	$60 Gift Card
175 (95-80)	Mark Giebelhausen	$40 Gift Card

JONES FLIGHT

181 (96-85)	Tom Jankowski	Champion $130 Gift Card & Trophy
184 (96-88)	John Carrato	$50 Gift Card

SNEAD FLIGHT

190 (99-91)	Clay Koenig	Champion $170 Gift Card & Trophy
192 (95-97)	John Pacheco	$90 Gift Card
195 (97-98)	Dan Locke	$50 Gift Card
198 (103-95)	Brian Booker	$30 Gift Card