Tournament Champions
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Excelsior Springs has long been a golf course I’ve told our players not to sleep on. It’s the easiest course on paper, but it’s got a real set of teeth and very well maintained. Thankfully there was some rain a day or so before the event and helped to make the greens manageable, but by no means easy.
After the front 9, there were multiple players in division 1 who were battling to catch Kory Glasgow, who shot an even par front stretch. James Benbow, Jake Englebrake and Andrew Forsythe were only two shots back. But struggles on the back 9 saw Jake and Andrew fall off, while James kept chasing Kory. But Kory’s mistakes were few, both players carded an even par back 9 seeing Kory clinch another APT victory.
Division 2 saw some great scores with 6 players shooting 5 over or better. If you kept the ball below the hole, you could score this weekend, and Zach Richcreek did just that. He and Matt Thorman were battling it out, both players even par through 15 holes. But Thorman would push too hard, and stumble holes 16 and 17, while Zach played them with two pars followed by a birdie on 18 to shoot his best round in his golfing life of 1 under par. And the celebration on 18 let you know!
Division 3 was truly a battle this weekend! Massive swings in scores show just how important of a second shot and short game course this is. But three players really showed their stuff this weekend. Michael McClaren from Columbia, MO, Michael Hill from Phoenix, AZ, and local Tim Fuemmeler all tied with scores of 7 over 79, and headed out for playoff. It only took one hole, but Michael McClaren came out on top, taking the trophy back to MidMo this year.
Bishop Grimm found himself 3 shots back of Kyle Bauer after the front 9, and 1 back of John Bilek. But he battled on the back 9, finding himself in the lead going into hole 18. Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was just a mental error, maybe it was just golf….but Bishop struggled off the tee and hole 18 turned into a disaster for him, ending with a triple bogey. But Kyle Bauer and John Bilek both had chances. John needed a birdie and needed Kyle to par to go into a playoff. But it wasn’t meant to be, as Kyle sealed the deal with a fantastic birdie on 18 to match Jonh’s birdie and win by one.
Division 5 saw a first time winner. Andrew Turner who’s been fighting back problems for years, decided to take his health seriously and started working out, strengthening his back and body, and shedding some lbs and wouldn’t you know it, he played his first real pain free round of competitive golf in years and was able to hold off Cliff Austin and get his first win on tour. A long time supporter of the APT, it was awesome to see his hard work pay off, not just with the win, but with the pain free win!
Greg Garrett made some timely (untimely if you’re me) birdies that allowed him to take home the Senior Net victory, just edging out John Bilek and Randy Minchew by one stroke, both of whom shot a net 2 over par to Greg’s 1 over par.
