2024 APT Independence Open Results

Independence Day Weekend has played host of some of the biggest stages on the APT, and 2024 would be no different as the APT travelled to Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, MO.  Players would square off at one of the hottest golf resorts in the country, home to the #1 rated public course in Missouri Ozarks National and the Tiger Woods designed Payne’s Valley.  Weather conditions and course conditions would be perfect, and low scores were to be had as a sold-out field of 160 players were competing for over $14,000 in prizes paid out in VISA Gift Cards.  Worldwide Golf was the proud sponsor of the 19^th hole at Payne’s Valley, where APT members raised thousands of dollars for the Folds of Honor Foundation.

In Division 1, 36 holes would not be enough as some of the county’s top players squared off in what would turn out to be one of the most closely fought races in the country.  Andrew Echard (Utah) got off to a fast start with a 4-under 68 at the difficult Ozarks National.  After Round 1, Echard found himself up 2 shots over defending champion Ryan Eckelcamp (St. Louis) heading into Payne’s Valley.  Eckelcamp would turn in 32 on Sunday to take the lead heading into the back 9, but Echard would forge a comeback to force extra holes.  After both players missed birdie putts on the 1^st playoff hole, Ryan Eckelcamp holed a chip on the 240-yard par 3 2^nd hole to claim back to back victories.  John Todd (St. Louis) continued his solid play, finishing in 3^rd place while Brian Taylor (Kansas City) had a solid showing to earn 4^th place honors.

In Division 2, 2022 Champion Kevin Stief (Kansas City) had something to prove as he struggled defending his title last year.  After opening with an impressive 73, Stief followed up with a 75 to earn a 3-shot victory and a return to the winners circle at Payne’s Valley with a 2-day total of 148.  Jason Tatum (Kansas City) earned solo 2^nd place honors at a 2-day total of 151.  3^rd place went to Curt Bressner (Phoenix) and Matt Thorman (Kansas City) at 153, while Joe Christ-Kim (Seattle) finished in solo 5^th at 11-over par 157.  Mike Lingenfelter (St. Louis) and Tom Lorenz (Tulsa) finished in a tie for 6^th at 14 over par.

In Division 3, Rob Luter (Arkansas) narrowly missed winning in 2023 in Division 4, narrowly losing to Justin Bennett (Kansas City).  After a promotion to Division 3, Luter has been working hard on his game and it paid off big time as Luter won his first major in Division 3, earning a 6-shot victory over the field with rounds of 77-80 to finish at 14-over par.  Matthew Morgan (Kansas City) and Dalton Thompson (St. Louis) finished in a tie for 2^nd at +20, while Greg McEntire (Tulsa) and James Gentry (Iowa) finished in a tie for 4^th at 22-over par.  Brian Buchanan (Arkansas), Sasha Malich (Dallas/Fort Worth), Rob Steves (Northern California) and Mike Paubel (St. Louis) finished in a tie for 6^th at 23-over par.

In Division 4, a bunched field would be the story heading into Sunday as 7 players were within 4 shots of the lead.  Leroy Barnes (Kansas City) had the round of the day, with an impressive 81 to earn a 2-shot victory over Enrique Young (Virginia Capital) who finished at 27-over par.  Christopher Shaw (St. Louis) continued his impressive season finishing in solo 3^rd place at +29.  Olumide Akingbemi (Nashville) and Josh McPherson (Nashville) finished in a tie for 4^th place at +32, while Brian Sanders (Birmingham) finished in solo 6^th place at +33.

In Division 5, Sean Cook (Arkansas) delivered an impressive performance that saw him earn a 8-shot victory at +30 after rounds of 86-87.  Nicholas Crouse (Iowa) continued to trend in the right direction after another solid finish in a major, earning solo 2^nd place honors at +38.  Travis Glenn (Utah) finished in 3^rd place with a solid finish at 42-over par, while Bill McMahan (St. Louis) finished in 4^th place at +44.

Open Net honors would end in a tie as Jason Tatum (Kansas City) and Kevin Stief (Kansas City) would each finish at 5-under par for the event.  Sasha Malich (Dallas/Ft. Worth) and Nicholas Crouse (Iowa) tied for 3^rd at -4, while James Gentry (Iowa) finished in solo 5^th at 1-under par.  The money was rounded out by Larry Langley (Kansas City) and Leroy Barnes (Kansas City), who shot even par net for the two days.

The senior net champion honors would go to Rob Luter, who shot a whopping 11-under par for the weekend to earn a 5-shot victory over Enrique Young (Virginia Capital), who finished at 6-under par.  Brian Taylor (Kansas City) finished in 3^rd place at 4-under net, while Mark Brailey (Tulsa) finished in 4^th place at 3-under par.  The top 5 was rounded out by Randy Minchew (St. Louis) and Matt Love (Nashville), who finished the 36-hole weekend at 1-under par. From here, the APT moves to French Lick Resort from July 28-29, before contesting the final major of the 2024 season – the Southern Brawl at Bear’s Best on August 17^th-18^th in Atlanta, GA.  For more information, please head to our website at amateurplayerstour.com.