On Sunday, the St. Louis chapter kicked off the 2023 season at Stonewolf Golf Club in Fairview Heights, IL. Mother nature forced some last minute changes, as unseasonably cold temps descended on the Midwest, causing the 160 player field to be split up with Division 3 playing their event on Saturday, April 15th. 118 players teed it up in a rare 1pm shotgun start in Divisions 1,2,4, & 5.

In Division 1, tour rookie Ryan Eckelcamp made the most of his first event, shooting a steady 3-over par 75 to earn his first victory on tour. Second place belonged to 2022 Player of the Year Nate McCutcheon, who made a late charge, but ended up falling 2 shots short with 77. Greg Lewis finished in 3rd place with 78, while John Todd and Robert Jackson finished tied for 4th with 79 on a difficult scoring day. In the senior division, Greg Lewis returned to the winners circle, besting John Todd by one stroke.

In Division 2, Chad Crawford got off to a hot start for the 2023 season, earning the victory with a round of 78. Second place belonged to Central Illinois’ Jeffrey Beaver, who finished in 2nd place with a round of 81. Nate Hampton finished in 3rd place with a round of 82, while Dave Adams and Zach Bryan tied for 4th with rounds of 84. Mike Lingenfelter, Phil Sherer, Mike Mervis, Justin Clark, and Erick Billings rounded out the money finishing tied for 6th with rounds of 85. On the senior side, Dave Adams got his first win of the 2023 campaign, besting Mike Lingenfelter and Mike Mervis by a stroke. Mike McCormick finished in 4th with a round of 86.

In Division 4, Brian Grote bested the field by 2 shots with a round of 90 to earn his first win on the APT, finishing 2 strokes ahead of Kyle Meadows, who finished 2 shots back with a round of 92. 3rd place belonged to both Allen Starnes and Thomas Moore, who shot 93. 2022 National Senior Player of the Year Dolly Buenaventura started the 2023 campaign with a 5th place finish with a 94, as well as earning her first victory of the year in the Senior Division. Scott Clavenna finished one shot back on the senior side with 95, while Matt Hall and Matt Thompson rounded out the top 4 with rounds of 98.

In Division 5, Dauffus Jackson got off to a hot start in the 2023 season, shooting a 93 to earn a 4-shot victory over Tim Jones, who finished in 2nd place with a 97. Mark Galentine finished in 3rd place with 98, while Shawn Donahue finished in 4th place with 99. Stevie Frank and Tony Brose tied for 5th with rounds of 100 to round out the money. On the senior side, Larry Newell earned his first victory on tour, shooting a 96 to best Mark Galentine by two strokes. Tony Brose finished in 3rd place with 100 and Roger Eberlein finished in 4th place with 102.

From here, the tour moves to the Missouri side of the river and the famous Pevely Farms Golf Club in Eureka, MO. With temperatures forecast to be in the mid 60’s, it looks like spring is finally here to stay in St. Louis! The field was recently expanded to 156 players, and only a few spots remain so don’t miss your chance to get in on this event! Registration closes on Sunday!

TOURNAMENT RESULTS