Tournament Champions
On Monday, the Amateur Players Tour headed to the prestigious Lake Forest Country Club in Lake St. Louis, MO. Lake Forest has developed a reputation as one of the most difficult tests of golf in the St. Louis area, and it did not disappoint. Players were met with fantastic playing conditions, with the greens being firm and fast, the rough lush, and a perfect day for the third exclusive Monday event.
In Division 1, Michael Flynn kept his hot start to the season going, shooting an impressive 3-over par 75 to earn a 3-shot victory over Michael Clark and Ben Lampkin, who both shot 78 to finish 3 shots off the pace. Dylan Davidson finished in solo 4th position with an 81 in the 23-player division. Flynn earned his 3rd win of the 2024 season, including going back-to-back at Tamarack and Lake Forest, to move within 300 points of 2023 Player of the Year Ryan Eckelcamp in the race for the Autohaus BMW St. Louis Player of the Year race. On the senior side, Michael Clark earned the victory with his 78, besting Warren Dunnegan by 5 shots.
In Division 2, Matt Nemnich returned to the winners circle with an impressive round of 76 powered by an even-par front 9. Scott Cheek earned solo 2nd place honors, with a round of 79, while Michael Konuch and Mike Mervis finished in a tie for 3rd with rounds of 82. Todd Feuerhaken, Brad Garrett, and Walker Capstick rounded out the top-5 with a round of 83. On the senior side, Matt Nemnich completed the double dip with his round of 76, with Michael Konuch and Mike Mervis tying for 2nd place with rounds of 82.
In Division 3, 18 holes would not be enough to decide the event as 4 players would tie at the top with rounds of 84. Cory Newman, Ray Morales, Tony Arcese, and Andy Cherry would each tie for the top honor. An on-course playoff was not feasible with players playing in both the morning and afternoon waves, so points and purse were split evenly among the top 4. 5th place would go to Jason Stone and Paul Wilson, who each finished 3 shots off the pace with rounds of 87. Tony Clark, Zach Brda, Raj Pandey, and Rob Ladage rounded out the top 10 with rounds of 88 in the 50 player field. On the senior side, Ray Morales returned to the winners circle with a hard-fought 3 shot victory over Paul Wilson and Jason Stone.
In Division 4, Dolly Buenaventura returned to the winners circle with an 85 and a 2-shot victory over John Schranck, who finished in solo 2nd with an 87. 3rd place went to Chris Jones, Stephen Williams, Baxton Owen, and Michael Moynihan who each shot 88. With the victory, Dolly Buenaventura holds a slim lead in the Autohaus BMW St. Louis Player of the Year race. On the senior side, Buenaventura completed the double-dip with a 2-shot victory over John Schranck, with Michael Moynihan finishing in 3rd position.
In Division 5, the contest would come down to the last few holes between Chris Brockmeyer and Josh Burnett. Brockmeyer is the reigning Senior Division 5 National Player of the Year and Burnett is the hottest player in D5 at the moment. At the end, Josh Burnett earned a 1-shot victory with a solid round of 94. Chris Brockmeyer was 2nd with 97, while Dane Kearns continued his good play with a 98. Kevin Brown finished 4th with a round of 100. On the senior side, Chris Brockmeyer returned to the winners circle with a 97 to best Kevin Brown by 3 shots with a round of 100.
The next tour stop for the St. Louis chapter is the sold out APT Public Links Championship, a national major hosted by St. Louis at Annbriar Golf Course featuring a field of 164 players. The St. Louis chapter will be in the spotlight June 7th-June 10th, hosting the Folds of Honor Friday Fourball (8 spots Remain), the APT Public Links Championship on Saturday/Sunday, and then the Monday after the Major at Persimmon Woods Golf Club on Monday, June 10th. Registration closes for the Fourball this weekend, so sign up today to secure your spot!