2024 St. Clair Country Club Tournament Results

On Monday, the St. Louis Chapter headed to the historic St. Clair Country Club in Belleville, IL.  The players were presented with a great test of golf with the course being in phenomenal shape and the greens running true.  Autohaus BMW was on hand with a beautiful X5 for the final local event before the Autohaus BMW St. Louis Local Finals on September 7^th-8^th.  Valuable points were on the line, and each division saw low scores as players are vying for part of the $10,000 bonus season-long prize pool being paid out in just a few short weeks. 

In Division 1, Dylan Davidson got off to a hot start with birdies on holes 6,7,8 to build a sizeable lead.  Birdies at 14 and 17 would put it out of reach for the field, and Davidson’s APT Best 68 would be good enough for a 4-shot victory.  Michael Flynn recorded another solid 2^nd place finish with an even-par 72, and he is creeping closer to Player of the Year leader Ryan Eckelcamp with just the elevated event at Spencer T. Olin and the Autohaus BMW St. Louis Local Finals left.  Warren Dunnegan entered the winners circle with an impressive one-over par 73, that earned him a 3-shot win over John Todd in the senior division.  John Todd holds a sizeable lead over Michael Clark with just 2 events to go, although lots of points will be at stake at the Local Final at Annbriar. 

In Division 2, Kent Van Cleve returned to the winners circle with an impressive 1-under par 71 that earned him a 2-shot victory over Greg Miller.  Van Cleve’s highlight of the day was a hole-out from 130 yards on the difficult par-4 3^rd hole that propelled his return to the winners circle.  Miller earned solo 2^nd place honors after his best score on the APT.  Lance Davidson, Mike Lingenfelter, and Jason Kell each tied for 3^rd with rounds of 74, while Mark Lamoureux and Tim Koncki finished T-6 with rounds of 75.  On the senior side, Van Cleve completed the double-dip to win the trophy, with Davidson and Lingenfelter coming in a tie for 2^nd place with 74.  Heading into the elevated event at Spencer T. Olin presented by The Loading Dock, Mike Lingenfelter holds on to a razor thin margin of a lead, with 5 players within 500 points of each other for the Autohaus BMW St. Louis Player of the Year. 

In Division 3, Simay Souvannarath would have a day to remember.  The reigning 2023 GlobalGolf.com National Player of the Year put up her best round in over 150 career rounds on the APT, carding a 74 that featured one birdie, one bogey and a double bogey that showed great consistency and earned her a 5 shot victory.  With the win, Simay’s handicap dropped to a 7.9 and she accomplished her goal of moving to Division 2.  Congrats Simay!  Cory Newman and Fahaaj MuQeem both played consistently finishing in a tie for 2^nd with rounds of 79, while Memphis’ Kyle Kucharski, Tyler Scholin, Dan Millheim and Anthony Zerillo each tied for 4^th place with rounds of 80.  On the senior side, Souvannarath earned the double dip victory with her 74, followed by a solid second place finish by Steve Bates and Anthony Zerillo who shot 80. 

In Division 4, Steve Minder was attempting to follow up his win at Country Club of Decatur with another solid performance on Monday.  A front 9 39 would propel him to his best score since 2022 and an 82 to earn a 3-shot victory over Dave Draucker.  Mike Moynihan and Joshua Grabig finished in a tie for 3^rd with rounds of 87, while Thomas Agnew finished in solo 5^th with a 90.  Dolly Buenaventura continues to hold onto the lead, but Matt Hall and Steve Minder have made big jumps into the Top 5 and it’s anybody’s game with 2 events to go.  On the senior side, Minder completed the double-dip win with Dave Draucker in 2^nd with 85 and Mike Moynhihan in 3^rd with a round of 87. 

In Division 5, Selena Droce was shooting to make it back-to-back after a win at Far Oaks Golf Club the day before.  It pays to play your best golf down the stretch of a season, and Selena Droce has been doing just that.  She picked a great day for a personal best, shooting an 85 to earn a 2-shot victory over Bill McMahan, who carded an 87 to finish in solo 2^nd.  Third place honors went to Dane Kearns with a solid round of 89, while Jesse Cook and Brian Jennison finished in a tie for 4^th with rounds of 89.  With the win, Selena Droce takes over the top spot in the St. Louis local player of the year race, but Josh Burnett is returning to action at Spencer T. in what will surely be the tightest race of the season.  On the senior side, Bill McMahan returned to the winners circle with an impressive 87, with Kevin Brown taking runner up honors with a 91.  Chris Brockmeyer and Roger Eberlein finished in a tie for 3^rd at 93. 

The St. Louis chapter has 2 events remaining for the 2024 season.  On Sunday, August 25^th, the St. Louis chapter will host an elevated event at Spencer T. Olin presented by The Loading Dock Bar and Grill – double points and double prize pool + $1,000 added from The Loading Dock.  The Autohaus BMW Local Finals at Annbriar will be held September 7^th-8^th with 2.5 points on the line, double prize pool + $1,500 in added money.  Lunch will also be provided on Sunday, September 8^th courtesy of Meridian Contracting, where the Autohaus BMW St. Louis Local Player of the Year Champions will be crowned and over $10,000 in bonus prizes will be paid to the top finishers.  We’re in for an exciting finish to the 2024 season in the St. Louis chapter!