2024 Loading Dock Bar and Grill Elevated Event at Spencer T. Olin Golf Course

On Sunday, the St. Louis chapter headed to the newly re-opened Spencer T. Olin Golf Course in Alton, IL.  The 127 player field was met with a fresh look, with the nines reversed, and the golf course in fantastic shape.  The course would prove to be a worthy test for the double points, double prize pool event, with an additional $1,000 added to the prize pool courtesy of The Loading Dock Bar and Grill.  There was lots to play for, as the races for the Autohaus BMW St. Louis Local Player of the Year Race is heating up in every division, with no one running away as many players are still vying for a piece of the $10,000+ Season Long Bonus prize pool.  Also on the line were the automatic qualifying spots for this years Founders Cup vs. Nashville, with qualifying concluding at the end of the event.

In Division 1, Jason Hartrich had been knocking on the door all season to get his first win in Division 1, and he was able to do just that.  After finishing regulation tied with John Todd at 1-under par 71, Hartrich composed himself and went to work on the 1^st playoff hole, birdieng the par-5 1^st to earn his first victory in Division 1.  John Todd continued to impress, finishing in solo 2^nd position.  Bobby Sobieski finished in 3^rd with a 1-over 73, while Drew Lanting  and Michael Flynn finished in a tie for 4^th.  Jason Hartrich completed the double dip with a victory over John Todd.

In Division 2, 18 holes would not be enough to decide a champion as the top 6 players were all within a shot of one another.  Clayton Pilger, Scott Horton, and Josh DeJarnette all ended regulation at 3-over par 75 in the day’s most competitive division that saw 17 players finish within 5 shots of the lead.  In the 3-way playoff, Pilger capitalized on a great drive with a great approach that set up a 2-putt birdie and the victory.  David Dixon, Billy Davis, and Mike Konuch each finished tied for 4^th just one shot back at 4-over 76.  Jason Kell, Tim Mayer, and Dallas Cook  each finished 2 shots back with rounds of 77.  On the senior side, Scott Horton grew his lead in the Senior Player of the Year race with a one shot victory over David Dixon, Billy Davis, and Mike Konuch who each shot 76.  Todd Feuerhaken shot a 78 to keep himself within striking distance with a tie for 5^th with Mike Mervis.

In Division 3, the theme of tight races and playoffs would continue as 3 players tied at the top with 79.  Mike Paubel, Ray Morales and Rick Johnson headed back out to the 1^st playoff hole.  Each player had to show some grit and determination to stay alive as Paubel’s tee shot put him in trouble forcing him to make a clutch up-and-down par to move on.  Both Morales and Johnson faced knee knockers for par to force a second playoff hole.  On the second playoff hole, players faced a difficult tee shot on the left-to-right dogleg hole with trouble through the fairway and a bunker guarding the landing area on the right.  All 3 players hit solid tee shots and each reached the green in regulation with a difficult back left pin.  Ray Morales faced a 50 footer from the center of the green and he let out a celebration as the putt dropped, returning him to the winners circle and vaulting him all the way to 5^th in the Autohaus BMW Player of the Year Standings.  James Gentry, Paul Wilson, and Darrell VankyGrifka tied for 4^th place just 2 shots back with 81.  On the senior side, Morales completed the double-dip with a victory over Rick Johnson, who put together his best Division 3 finish yet.  Paul Wilson and Darrell VankyGrifka tied for 3^rd place.

In Division 4, Timmy Hill made the trip from Central Illinois to one of his favorite venues – designed by his childhood hero Arnold Palmer.  An inspired performance on the back 9 led to a 38 and a 2-shot victory with an 81.  Toby Chrzanowski continued his great play and improvement this season to shoot an 83 and finish in solo 2^nd.  Matt Telander finished in 3^rd with 84, while Rei Nakamura and Jason Thuet rounded out the top 5 with rounds of 85.  Toby Chrzanowski took home the senior title, with a one shot victory over Matt Telander.  Mike Scalera finished in 3^rd with a round of 86.  Heading into the final at Annbriar Golf Course, it’s anybody’s game as Matt Hall and Mike Scalera are within striking distance of points leader Dolly Buenaventura. 

In Division 5, earlier delays in public play and an issue with carts would cause the Division 5 contest to shorten to 15 holes, but that didn’t mean that the competition wouldn’t be close.  Chris Brockmeyer continued his hot play of late, earning a 2-shot victory at 15-over over JJ Gladden.  Ryan Hicks and Josh Burnett tied for 3^rd at +18.  Josh Burnett narrowly takes the lead into the final event at Annbriar Golf Course in the closest race of the year, with just 9 points separating Burnett from Selena Droce.  With the victory, Chris Brockmeyer moves up into 3^rd position within striking distance of the Player of the Year race.  On the senior side, Chris Brockmeyer earned a 4-shot victory over Kevin Brown.  Jim Nichols and Jim Seibert each tied for 3^rd at 21-over par. The St. Louis chapter wraps up its 2024 season at the Autohaus BMW St. Louis Local Finals at Annbriar Golf Courseon September 7^th-8^th.  With 2.5x points on the line, double prize pool + $1,500 added in sponsor money, plus a $10,000 Season-Long Bonus Prize Pool in the Autohaus BMW Player of the Year race, there is still plenty to play for.  The 2025 season will start on October 13^th at Crown Pointe Golf Club in Farmington.  Registration will open on September 15^th!