On May 30th, 2021, the Iowa chapter of the amateur players tour held their 5th event of the season. Finally, the weather decided to cooperate, giving us the best weather of this 2021 season. The forecast originally called for cloudy conditions, but the sun was shining bright on us all day with just a slight cooling breeze. The beautiful weather allowed the players to post some of the best scores we have seen this season. All Tee-times were able to start on time and went off without a hitch. Smoothest start to an event yet. Twenty-six golfers were able to finish the course with an average pace of play of 4 hours and 45 minutes. We seen some new faces win and some old ones win again. Here are your division champions:

Division 1 winner Tab Luebbehusen (78) was able to walk away from the competition by being the only person in division 1.

Division 2 seen a new face on the podium today. Jon Huinker (75) started strong by posting a 37 on the front 9, that included 2 birdies. The back 9 was a roller coaster ride for everyone in division 2 that was watching the score board. At one point there was a 2-way tie for second place while Huinker appeared to be walking away with it by a four-stroke lead. After posting a bogey on #10 Huinker went on a solid run by posting birdies on #11 #12 and #13, to give him a 5-stroke lead at 1 under par. This is where the roller coaster got interesting, Huinker proceeded to bogey #14 and double bogey #15 and #16, thus giving us a 3-way tie at 4 over par. With the rest of division 2 in the club watching the scores, tensions were high. Then suddenly, Huinker posted a birdie on #17 to give him a 1 stroke lead over Dale Morrison and Charlie Estabrook. With everyone watching on #18, Huinker was able to hold his 1 stroke lead over Morrison and Estabrook, by posting a par to finish his round. Now that 1st place was wrapped up it came down to score cards to determine second place, which was won by Estabrook.

To determine a champion for division 3, 18 holes were not enough for Nathan Simler (82) and Jacob Goldstick (82). They proceeded to the first tee to square off in sudden death. Goldstick pulled his drive left into the trees, thus giving Simler some breathing room where he proceeded to hit a solid shot into the middle of the fairway. After a quick search for Goldstick’s tee shot, his ball was found with no view of the green. Goldstick hit his second shot through the fairway, where it was later found under a cedar tree. Simler hit his second shot just 10 yards right of the green. Goldstick declared his lie unplayable; he was forced to take a penalty stroke and drop for his fourth shot. Goldstick hit his fourth shot on the green, leaving him a 25-foot putt for bogey. Simler chipped his third shot pin high about 5 feet left of the hole. Goldstick made a valiant effort on his 25-footer but left it 10 inches short of the hole. Goldstick’s short putt allowed Simler to 2 putt for a bogey to capture his 1st win in division 3. Simler now has 5 wins in the young APT season and appears to be adjusting well to his recent promotion to division 3. Simler now looks forward to next week, June 7th when the Iowa chapter heads to his home course, Kirksville Country Club in Kirksville Missouri.

Roger Bales (86) was able to claim his first victory of this 2021 season with a 1 stroke lead over Jeremy Albert (87). After posting a 41 on the front 9, Albert had a solid 2 stroke lead heading into the back. Albert quickly lost his lead with a double bogey n #10, to put him in a tie with Roger Bales. Bales continued the back 9 with a solid play, posting a 43 while Albert struggled and posted a 46.

Division 5 winner, Mitchell Gustin (89) is no stranger to the podium. Gustin was able to pick up his 3rd victory of the 2021 season, by holding off a surging Dirk Hammel (91). Hammel posted his APT career best of 91, although it was not enough to beat Gustin in this event.

Congratulations to all of our winners today. The conditions were perfect which was apparent by multiple players posting their Apt best scores. There were several new faces in the tournament today and we look forward to seeing many more new faces in the events to come. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next event at Kirksville Country Club on June 7th. Here is our upcoming schedule:

June 7th - Kirskville Country Club – Kirskville Missouri

June 27th - Waveland Golf Course - Des Moines Iowa

July 18th – Finkbine Golf Course – Iowa City Iowa

July 24th & 25th – TPC Deere Run – Silvis Illinois

TOURNAMENT RESULTS