Tournament Champions
View Tournament Results
River City Classic Crowns Seven Champions Across Signature Two-Day Championship
The Amateur Players Tour Central Illinois Chapter wrapped up its premier event of the season this past weekend as players took on the River City Classic, contested over two outstanding venues: Coyote Creek Golf Club in Bartonville and Weaver Ridge Golf Club in Peoria.
The chapter’s signature two-day championship featured 36 holes of competition, a $4,630 total purse, and plenty of memorable moments. From a dramatic playoff forced by a clutch closing birdie to outstanding final-round performances and a Closest to the Pin shot that stopped just one inch from the hole, the weekend delivered excitement from start to finish.
Division 1 – Cronin Wins Back-to-Back
After winning the Elevated Event at Atkins Golf Club just two weeks earlier, Alex Cronin (Pekin, IL) continued his impressive run by capturing the Division 1 River City Classic championship.
As the lone Division 1 competitor, Cronin successfully navigated two demanding championship courses over 36 holes, finishing at +18 to earn his second consecutive Central Illinois victory and add another signature event title to his growing résumé.
Division 2 – Hicks Closes with a Statement Round
The best final-round performance of the championship belonged to Brad Hicks (East Peoria, IL).
Hicks fired a brilliant 1-under-par round on Sunday at Weaver Ridge, separating himself from the field to finish at +10 overall and win Division 2 by three strokes. His closing round was the only under-par round among the division leaders and proved to be the difference.
Chris Van Spankeren (Minonk, IL) also finished the weekend on a strong note, posting a 3-over final round to climb into solo second at +13, while Daren Lowery rounded out the top three.
Division 3 – Moore Birdies 72nd Hole, Wins Playoff
Division 3 produced perhaps the most dramatic finish of the weekend.
Needing a birdie on the tournament’s final hole just to have a chance, Zack Moore (Lincoln, IL) delivered exactly that, rolling in a birdie on the 18th hole to tie Brandon Smith at +24 and force a sudden-death playoff.
The two competitors matched pars on the opening playoff hole before Moore again stayed steady on the second extra hole. Smith made bogey, giving Moore the River City Classic championship and completing one of the weekend’s most exciting comebacks.
Division 4 – Park Pulls Away
Darrell Park (Springfield, IL) put together two consistent rounds to earn the Division 4 title.
Park finished the championship at +33, four shots clear of runner-up Mike Prince, controlling the division throughout the final round to secure one of the biggest victories of his APT season.
Division 5 – Rosenbaum Dominates Weekend
No player won by a larger margin than Robert Rosenbaum (Hamilton, MO).
Rosenbaum finished at +36, an impressive 18 shots ahead of the runner-up, to cruise to the Division 5 championship. His consistent play over both rounds left little doubt as to who would take home the title.
His weekend didn’t stop there.
At Weaver Ridge, Rosenbaum nearly recorded the shot of the tournament when his tee shot on the Closest to the Pin hole came to rest literally hanging over the edge of the cup, officially measuring just one inch from the hole to win the contest.
Mid-Am Net – Jimmy Pulis Finishes Under Par
Jimmy Pulis (Pekin, IL) was the only competitor to finish the championship under par in the Mid-Am Net contest, posting a 36-hole net score of 1-under to capture the title.
Pulis also claimed the Closest to the Pin prize at Coyote Creek, sticking his tee shot to 5 feet, 4 inches to add another highlight to an outstanding weekend.
Senior Net – Lowery Holds Off Late Charge
Daren Lowery (East Peoria, IL) captured the Senior Net championship with a 36-hole total of +10.
Runner-up Daryl Wolff mounted a strong Sunday charge by posting an impressive 3-under net round, but Lowery’s steady play over both days proved enough to hold on for the victory.
Closest to the Pin Winners
- Coyote Creek Golf Club: Jimmy Pulis – 5 feet, 4 inches
- Weaver Ridge Golf Club: Robert Rosenbaum – 1 inch (his ball finished hanging on the edge of the cup)
Looking Ahead
The Central Illinois Chapter now turns its attention to the Route 66 Open on August 2 at Pontiac Elks Country Club in Pontiac, Illinois.
With the River City Classic now in the books, the race for Player of the Year continues to tighten as the season enters its stretch run, and players will have another opportunity to make a move in the standings at one of the chapter’s favorite annual stops.
Division 3 headline. Moore birdied the 36th hole. Not 72nd
Good catch. Since this was a 36-hole championship, the headline and story should refer to the 36th hole, not the 72nd.
I’d change it to:
Division 3 – Moore Birdies 36th Hole, Wins Playoff
And in the opening paragraph:
Division 3 produced perhaps the most dramatic finish of the weekend. Needing a birdie on the championship’s final hole just to have a chance, Zack Moore (Lincoln, IL) delivered exactly that, rolling in a birdie on the 36th hole to tie Brandon Smith at +24 and force a sudden-death playoff.
That keeps the story accurate while emphasizing how clutch the birdie was. I would make this one of the featured storylines in the opening paragraph since it was arguably the most dramatic moment of the tournament.
Give me the full recap again
River City Classic Crowns Seven Champions at Central Illinois’ Signature Championship
The Amateur Players Tour Central Illinois Chapter concluded its premier event of the season this past weekend as players competed in the River City Classic, a 36-hole championship contested at Coyote Creek Golf Club in Bartonville and Weaver Ridge Golf Club in Peoria.
The chapter’s signature event featured a $4,630 total purse and delivered everything expected from a championship weekend—dramatic finishes, outstanding final-round performances, and memorable shots. The highlight came in Division 3, where Zack Moore birdied the 36th and final hole to force a playoff before ultimately capturing the title. Elsewhere, Brad Hicks fired a final-round 1-under-par round to win Division 2, Alex Cronin captured his second consecutive Central Illinois victory, and Robert Rosenbaum not only dominated Division 5 but also nearly made a hole-in-one, stopping his tee shot just one inch from the cup.
Division 1 – Cronin Makes It Back-to-Back
After winning the Elevated Event at Atkins Golf Club just two weeks earlier, Alex Cronin (Pekin, IL) continued his impressive summer by claiming the River City Classic Division 1 championship.
Competing as the lone Division 1 player, Cronin successfully navigated two demanding championship courses over 36 holes, finishing at +18 to secure his second consecutive Central Illinois victory and add the chapter’s signature event to his growing list of accomplishments.
Division 2 – Hicks Finishes Strong
The best closing round of the championship belonged to Brad Hicks (East Peoria, IL).
Hicks fired a brilliant 1-under-par round on Sunday at Weaver Ridge to separate himself from the field and finish the tournament at +10, earning a three-shot victory in Division 2.
Chris Van Spankeren (Minonk, IL) also closed the weekend with a strong 3-over final round to climb into solo second at +13, while Daren Lowery finished third at +14.
Division 3 – Moore Birdies 36th Hole, Wins Playoff
Division 3 produced the most dramatic finish of the weekend.
Trailing late in the championship, Zack Moore (Lincoln, IL) needed something special on the final hole and delivered exactly that, making birdie on the 36th hole to pull even with Brandon Smith at +24 and force a sudden-death playoff.
Both players matched pars on the opening playoff hole before moving to the second extra hole. Moore again made par while Smith recorded a bogey, giving Moore the River City Classic title and completing one of the weekend’s most memorable finishes.
Division 4 – Park Claims Signature Victory
Darrell Park (Springfield, IL) put together two steady rounds to earn the Division 4 championship.
Park finished the tournament at +33, four shots ahead of Mike Prince, controlling the division throughout the final round to earn one of the biggest victories of his APT career.
Division 5 – Rosenbaum Cruises to Championship
No player won by a larger margin than Robert Rosenbaum (Hamilton, MO).
Rosenbaum posted a 36-hole total of +36, finishing an impressive 18 strokes ahead of the runner-up to capture the Division 5 championship in dominant fashion.
His weekend became even more memorable at Weaver Ridge, where his Closest to the Pin shot came to rest literally hanging over the edge of the cup. Officially measuring just one inch from the hole, it easily earned the weekend’s most remarkable on-course prize.
Mid-Am Net – Jimmy Pulis Finishes Under Par
Jimmy Pulis (Pekin, IL) was the only player in the Mid-Am Net competition to finish under par for the weekend, posting a 36-hole net score of 1-under to claim the championship.
Pulis also captured the Closest to the Pin prize at Coyote Creek, sticking his tee shot to 5 feet, 4 inches to add another highlight to an outstanding weekend.
Senior Net – Lowery Holds Off Wolff
Daren Lowery (East Peoria, IL) captured the Senior Net championship after two consistent rounds, finishing at +10 for the weekend.
Runner-up Daryl Wolff (West Burlington, IA) mounted an impressive charge on Sunday, carding a 3-under net round, but Lowery’s steady play over both days proved enough to secure the victory.
Closest to the Pin Winners
- Coyote Creek Golf Club: Jimmy Pulis – 5 feet, 4 inches
- Weaver Ridge Golf Club: Robert Rosenbaum – 1 inch (ball hanging over the edge of the cup)
Looking Ahead
The Central Illinois Chapter now turns its attention to the Route 66 Open on August 2 at Pontiac Elks Country Club in Pontiac, Illinois.
With the River City Classic complete, the Player of the Year races continue to take shape as the season enters its stretch run. If this signature championship was any indication, the battle for titles and points promises to remain just as competitive over the final events of the 2026 season.
