Tournament Champions
The 2024 St. Louis Season concluded at the Autohaus BMW St. Louis Local Finals at Annbriar Golf Course on September 7-8. 94 players were met with a gorgeous early fall weekend, with temps in the mid 70’s, abundant sunshine, and a golf course that in fantastic shape. The winds would pick up on Saturday, leading to higher than expected scores, but Sunday’s perfect scoring conditions would lead to some high drama as players pursued the title of Autohaus BMW St. Louis Player of the Year, where over $11,000 was paid out in bonus prizes to the top finishers in each division. On the tournament side, players were playing for over $7,500 paid our in VISA Gift Cards after sponsors kicked in an additional $1,500 for the field.
In Division 1, Ryan Eckelcamp jumped out to an early led with a solid 2-over par 74 that saw him closely chased by Michael Clark and Warren Dunnegan heading into Sunday’s final round. Michael Flynn would make a big move on Sunday, firing the weekend’s best round of 2-under 70 to put pressure on the leaders down the stretch. However, Michael Clark responded, calming his nerves and finishing birdie-birdie to earn a two-shot victory and take home the title at +3. Flynn finished an excellent 2024 campaign with a solo 2nd at +5. Ryan Eckelcamp capped off his Player of the Year run with a solid solo 3rd finish at +6. On the senior side, Michael Clark earned the tournament title at +3.
In Division 2, Chris Scoles came into the weekend with something bigger to play for, in his return to the tour after the passing of his father and founding APT member Michael Scoles, who won the inaugural Local Finals in 2019. Scoles jumped out to an early lead with a solid 3-over par 75 to lead by 3 heading into Sunday’s final round. Lance Davidson would put on a charge shooting a 2-over par 74, but it would not be enough to catch Scoles, who’s 78 would earn him a 3-shot victory. Scoles honored his late father by recreating the picture of his 2019 championship. Michael Scoles will certainly be sorely missed around the APT.
Lance Davidson finished in solo 2nd at +12, besting Mike Leonard by one-shot as he had a solid finish to the 2024 season. Eric Fogleman finished in solo 4th place at +14 for the weekend, while Todd Feuerhaken rounded out the top-5 at +15 finishing off a breakout season in Division 2 that saw him win a signature major at the APT Open Championship at Omni Bedford Springs. On the senior side, Lance Davidson’s fantastic Sunday round vaulted him to the top of the leaderboard, as he edged Mike Leonard by one-shot for the title. Todd Feuerhaken rounded out the top-3.
In Division 3, a crowded leaderboard would be the theme on Saturday as Michael Burch led the way at 82, but was chased closesly by Ralph Allen, Brian Chilton, Jason Stone, Tony Arcese and Chuck Schranck. It was anyone’s game heading into Sunday, and Chuck Schranck would take full advantage, shooting the round of the day (77) to finish at +17 and earn a 2-shot victory over Michael Burch. Burch’s solo 2nd was a great follow-up to his inaugural win at Far Oaks earlier in August. Tony Arcese finished in solo 3rd at +20 to cap off a solid first season on the APT, while Jason Stone finished off his Player of the Year run with a solid 4th place finish and one heck of a run in the last 2 months. Rick Johnson rounded out the top-5 at +24. On the senior side, Chuck Schranck completed the double-dip, earning a 5-shot win after his 2nd round 77. Jason Stone finished runner up, with another solid finish at +22, while Rick Johnson rounded out the top-3 at +24.
In Division 4, Matt Hall had a day on Sunday. After an opening 86 that saw him one shot back of 1st round leader Stevie Frank, Hall turned it on on Sunday, using a 1-over par 37 on the front to guide his way to an 80 and a 9 shot win. Dave Draucker finished in the runner-up position at +31 after two solid rounds of 87-88, while Grant Bourzikas and Stevie Frank each tied for 3rd at +32. Toby Chrzanowski rounded out the top-5 at +34. On the senior side, Matt Hall completed the double dip victory with his impressive 80. After the round, Hall’s APT Tournament Index drops to 12.4 and triggers a promotion to Division 3. Well played Matt! Dave Draucker finished in the runner-up postion.
In Division 5, Selena Droce and Josh Burnett were locked in the tightest POY race of the season, creating a winner-take-all scenario over the two days at Annbriar Golf Course. Droce would get the best of Burnett on Day 1, creating a five shot lead after her 89 to lead off. On Sunday, she would do nothing but extend the lead, firing a season-best 86 to leave no doubt, earning a 7-shot victory and the Player of the Year title. After the weekend, her index dropped to 18.1 which will trigger a promotion for the start of the 2025 season. Congrats Selena on a great year! Jim Nichols played two solid rounds to finish in solo 2nd at +38, while Josh Burnett finished in 3rd at +46. On the senior side, Jim Nichols picked up the victory by 9 shots over Bill McMahan, who continued his solid play to finish up the 2024 season. From here, the St. Louis chapter sends 30 of its members to compete for the 2024 North American Championship and the Universal Retirement Senior North American Championship to be contested in Myrtle Beach, SC from September 20th-25th. Best of luck to all of our St. Louis players competing, as many will be vying for the GlobalGolf.com National Player of the Year title. 2025 memberships are now open, and the season kicks off on October 13th at Crown Pointe Golf Club in Farmington, MO. Registration is now open!
In Loving Memory
Michael Scoles
(1947-2024)
2019 Tour Champion