2024 Sunset Hills Golf Tournament Results

On Monday, the St. Louis Chapter powered by Autohaus BMW travelled to the historic Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville, IL for a sold-out field of 144.  The weather could not have been more perfect, with highs in the 80s, not a cloud in the sky and a light breeze blowing through the hilly and challenging layout. 

Division 1 was a barn burner as Dylan Davidson and Ryan Eckelcamp were vying for the championship.  Dylan was the first to get to 18 and faced a difficult 4 foot slider for par and to shoot a 1-over par 73 on the difficult course.  The putt went in, putting the pressure squarely on 2023 Player of the Year Ryan Eckelcamp, who’s approach shot found the back of the green 50 feet from the hole in one of the most difficult pin locations of the day.  A well-struck putt found the back of the hole for the walk-off birdie and his second win in as many days.  Justin Towell finished in 3^rd place with a 74 just two shots back.  On the senior side, Justin Towell held off Michael Clark to win the senior division by a shot. 

Division 2 was extremely competitive as usual, with 12 players within four shots of the lead.  Eric Fogleman (77) used a strong front nine 37 to separate himself from the pack, edging Scott Horton (78), who was fresh off of a win at Birch Creek by 1 shot.  3^rd place went to Greg Miller and Greg Garrett who finished with solid rounds of 79 to finish 2 shots back.  Todd Feuerhaken, Dave Adams, and Mike Mervis rounded out the top-5 with rounds of 80.  On the senior side, Scott Horton went back to back with a round of 77, besting Greg Garrett by one stroke. 

In Division 3, 18-holes would not be enough to decide a champion, as Joe Blandina and Dave Baxmeyer were each tied with rounds of 81.  Both players faltered on  the 1^st playoff hole, but Baxmeyer’s approach on the par-4 second landed a few feet from the cup and settled about 20 feet away.  2 putts would be good enough to secure the victory for Dave Baxmeyer, who with the win has vaulted to 2^nd in the Global Golf National Player of the Year Race behind Augusta’s Mike Cioffi.  3^rd place went to Tony Clark, who finished just 1 off the pace with a great round of 82.  4^th place went to Simay Souvannarath, with a good round of 83 in the day’s largest 50-player division.  5^th place went to Dauffus Jackson, Ralph Allen and Haris Habibovic with rounds of 84.  Rounding out the money was Tony Arcese, Cory Newman, Schooner Fitzgerald, Mark Ralph, and Norm Toon with rounds of 87.  On the senior side, Dave Baxmeyer was victorious in the playoff over Joe Blandina.  Tony Clark and Bob Kurilla finished tied for 3^rd with rounds of 82. 

In Division 4, Jerry Anderson earned his first win on tour with a great front 9 to shoot 83 and earn a one-shot win over Adam Haegele, who finished in 2^nd position with an 84.  Matt Telander and Gary Orf finished tied for 3^rd with rounds of 85.  After 5 events, last year’s Player of the Year Dolly Buenaventura holds on to a slight lead, but Jerry Anderson jumped 22 spots with the win into the top-10.  Remember, the Autohaus BMW Local Player of the Year Race is calculated based on your best 8 one-day events, 2 elevated events and the Autohaus BMW St. Louis Local Finals at Annbriar Golf Course on September 7^th-8^th.  Playing events out of chapter early allows you to earn points early, but races will tighten as the season moves on!  On the senior side, Jerry Anderson completed the double-dip to earn a 2-shot victory over Matt Telander and Gary Orf. Dave Draucker finished in 4^th position. 

In Division 5, Jim Nichols shot a 92 to earn a one shot victory over Selena Droce, who finished in solo 2^nd with a 93.  JJ Gladden continued his good play to finish in 3^rd with a 94 just two shots back, while Byron Whitlock rounded out the money in 4^th place with a round of 95.  After 5 events, Selena Droce holds the early lead over Josh Burnett in the Player of the Year Race.  Chris Brockmeyer sits in 3^rd position.  On the senior side, Jim Nichols completed the double-dip to earn a 3-shot victory over Byron Whitlock, who finished in 2^nd place with a 95.  Kevin Brown finished in 3^rd place. 

Next up for the St. Louis Chapter is a 1-day elevated event at the famous Norwood Hills Country Club (West), annual host of the Ascension Charity Classic on the PGA Tour Champions.  It is also the site where Ben Hogan won a PGA Championship.  Round 1 will start as an 8am shotgun, and players will compete for a prize pool that is north of $5,000 for a one-day event paid in VISA Gift Cards with prize pool added courtesy of Meridian Contracting.