Last weekend, the St. Louis Chapter closed out their local season with their Local Finals at Annbriar Golf Course in Waterloo, IL. Amateur golfers from all across the St. Louis metro converged on the #1 rated public course in St. Louis as a large field of 105 players teed it up in both the Open Field and Senior Divisions. With Player of the Year races on the line, competition was stiff, the golf course in great shape, and the weather was beautiful.
In Division 1, recently promoted Billy Davis didn’t waste any time getting back into form, shooting a +1 73 to tie for the overnight lead with David Daubach. Matt Minder made a charge early on Sunday, with a front nine 35 to take a 2-shot lead into the back nine, but it wouldn’t be enough to overcome a hot putter from David Daubach, who used birdies on 14, 16, and 17 to put away the victory, his second on the Amateur Players Tour this season. Minder finished in solo 2nd, just 2 shots behind Daubach at +7, while Billy Davis made a strong Division 1 debut with a 3rd place finish. Player of the Year honors went to Nate McCutcheon, whose season featured 7 wins, including the Lone-Star Shootout, APT Public Links Championship, and the Turtleson Independence Open. Open Field Players of the Year each won a $1,000 USGA Max Prize Package, including a PING bag, Winston Collection Headcover, $500 VISA Gift Card, among other gifts. Congratulations Nate!
On the Senior side of Division 1, Billy Davis enjoyed a 2-shot lead heading into the final round over Steve Hasenfratz. The two battled back and forth all day, with Billy narrowly edging Steve on the final hole for the one-shot win. John Todd was in the mix all day, but fell just short finishing 2-shots off the pace. The win was enough for Billy Davis to move up 4 spots in the standings to earn the Senior Division 1 Player of the Year. Senior Players of the Year each won a prize package valued at $700, including a $250 VISA Gift Card, Projekt Puddlejumper, and fine leather gifts from Winston Collection. Congrats Billy on your great season!
In Division 2, Joel Miller, Chad Crawford, and Dave Adams each came to Annbriar with Player of the Year on their mind. Both Dave Adams (71) and Joel Miller (73) got off to hot starts that saw them separate themselves on Saturday in what appeared to be a 2-person race for the Local Finals and Player of the Year crown. Marco Tallerico came out firing with the round of the day on Sunday, shooting a 2-under 70 to put himself squarely in the mix with Miller and Adams. Tallerico’s round would leave him just short, as a second round 73 would give Joel Miller (73-73 146) the Championship and Player of the Year honors. Marco Tallerico (77-70 147) finished in 2nd place while David Adams (71-79 150) finished in 3rd place. Joel Miller’s winning season featured 2 wins, including the APT Public Links Championship, 3 second place finishes and 2 3rd place finishes. Congratulations Joel on a great run!
Division 2 Seniors saw David Adams jump out to an early lead with his 1-under par 71 on Saturday. Mark Lamoureux sat 4 shots back, with Scott Horton lurking just 5 shots back. A 79 would be good enough for Adams to take the title with a 3-shot victory over Scott Horton. Mid Missouri’s Tim Rinker finished in 3rd, while Mike Lingenfelter took home 4th place. Dave Adams is your 2022 Senior Division 2 Player of the Year, capping off a season that included 2 victories. Congratulations Dave on your consistent play over the last few seasons!
Division 3 would see a barn burner on Sunday, as several low rounds would decide the Division 3 crown. Phil Sherer, Alek Uransel and Ron Polillo each came out hot on Saturday, with Sherer earning a 2-shot lead with a 1st round 78 over Uransel and Polillo. Sunday would turn out to be a special day, as Sherer and Uransel would both have their best tournament rounds of their career. Uransel made 3 birdies on the front to shoot 36 and take the lead, but everyone knows the Championship doesn’t start until the back nine on Sunday. Phil Sherer would have himself a day, with birdies on 10, 13, 14, and 15 on his way to a back 9 33 and a 4-shot victory. The victory is Phil Sherer’s first on the Amateur Players Tour. Alek Uransel would finish in second with a 2-day total of 154, and Indianapolis’ Ross Richardson would finishi in 3rd with a 2-day total of 164. David Watson and Ron Polillo would tie for 4th with 2-day totals of 166. In one of the most competitive local division races in the country, Simay Souvannarath would edge out Michael Konuch for the Player of the Year award. Simay’s season consisted of 1 win at the Country Club of Decatur, and a consistent array of top 4 finishes to earn the top honors. Congratulations Simay!
On the senior side, Ron Polillo shot an 80 in the first round to take a 1-shot lead over Chuck Schranck. Michael Konuch finished the first round just 2 back at 82. Conditions seemed to be a little tougher on Sunday as scores were higher, but Polillo stayed at the top of the pack earning a 1 shot victory with a 2-day total of 166. Chuck Schranck remained in the 2nd position, just one shot off of the lead while Michael Konuch finished in 3rd place with a 2-day total of 169. Rick Johnson came in 4th with a 2-day total of 171. Johnson earned the 2022 Most Improved Player award after starting the year in Division 4 and earning a promotion and still competing for Player of the Year honors. Michael Konuch is your 2022 Senior Player of the Year, with a season highlighted by wins at Blue Top Ridge and Crystal Highlands. Congrats on your accomplishments Michael!
In Division 4, competition remained tight as the Player of the Year race was separated by just a few points. Player of the Year contenders Jesse Baumann and Mike Scalera each started hot out of the gate with 84 and 85 respectively, followed closely by Steve Minder and Paul Spotanski who both shot 86. Sunday would belong to tour rookie Dolly Buenaventura, who used a weekend best 81 to come from 5-shots back and earn the victory. Steve Middendorf, who needed a big charge to get back into the Player of the Year competition, shot an 82 to come from 7 shots back to a tie for 2nd with Steve Minder, Paul Spotanski, and Zachary Runk. Kansas City’s Robert Rosenbaum and Mike Scalera finished tied for 6th. Middendorf’s T-2 finish was good enough to award him Player of the Year honors. His season featured wins at Fyre Lake and St. Clair Country Club. Congrats on your great season Steve!
On the senior side, Sudhakar Injamuri jumped out to an early lead with an 84, trailed closely by Mike Scalera (85), Paul Spotanski (86), and Steve Minder (86). Dolly Buenaventura’s Sunday would be too much to handle, as her 81 vaulted her to a 3-shot victory over Middendorf, Minder, Spotanski, and Injamuri. With the victory, Dolly Buenaventura is your 2022 Senior Division 4 Player of the Year. Her season featured a win at Crystal Highlands, 3 second place finishes and 5 3rd place finishes. Congrats on your great play Dolly!
In Division 5, Max Castiglione jumped out to an early lead with a round of 88, but was chased closely by Brent Berk, Michael Moynihan and Tim Jones, who each shot 90 to finish 2 shots back. Sunday belonged to Brent Berk, who shot a weekend best 85 to best Michael Moynihan and Max Castiglione by 2 strokes. 4th place belonged to Tim Jones, who finished with a 2-day total of 183. Your Division 5 2022 Player of the Year is Jerry Miller, whose season featured 4 wins, 3 seconds, and 5 3rd place finishes. Congrats on your consistent play and great season!
On the senior side, Michael Moynihan’s first round 90 was enough to secure a 3 shot lead heading into Sunday over Mark Galentine. Moynihan’s first round lead would prove to be no fluke, as he followed it up with an 87 to earn a sizeable victory over Mark Galentine and Jim Seibert, who finished tied for 2nd with 2-day totals of 193. Jim Seibert is your 2022 Senior Player of the Year. Jim’s season featured wins at Pevely Farms and Crystal Highlands, as well as 4 second place finishes and a 3rd place finish. Congrats Jim on your successful 2022 campaign!
As the local finals comes to a close, next up for the APT is the 2022 North American Championship, to be held in Nashville, TN on October 10-12. Registration is open for all members who have completed 5 tournament rounds. Let’s have a great showing from St. Louis! Tournament Info Here!
2023 Membership is now open! Players can register by visiting amateurplayerstour.com. The St. Louis season will start this fall with two events.
Thanks for a great season and we hope to see you in 2023!
Upcoming tournaments:
Sunday, October 23rd at Annbriar – Tee Times Start at 8:30am
October 29th-30th at Tunica National Golf & Tennis, Tunica, MS – Joint event with Memphis.
More details will be released this week.
APT Sr. North American Championship
Myrtle Beach, SC
September 25-27
APT North American Championship
Nashville, TN
October 10-12
Annbriar Winners
Division 1 Champion
David Daubach
Division 2 Champion
Joel Miller
Division 3 Champion
Phil Sherer
Division 4 Champion
Dolly Buenaventura
Division 5 Champion
Brent Berk
Senior Division 1 Champion
Billy Davis
Senior Division 2 Champion
David Adams
Senior Division 3 Champion
Ron Polillo
Senior Division 4 Champion
Dolly Buenaventura
Senior Division 5 Champion
Michael Moynihan
Player of the Year Winners
Division 1
Player of the Year
Nate McCutcheon
Division 2
Player of the Year
Joel Miller
Division 3
Player of the Year
Simay Souvannarath
Division 4
Player of the Year
Papa Middy Middendorf
Division 5
Player of the Year
Jerry Miller
Division 1 Senior
Player of the Year
Billy Davis
Division 2 Senior
Player of the Year
Dave Adams
Division 3 Senior
Player of the Year
Michael Konuch
Division 4 Senior
Player of the Year
Dolly Buenaventura
Division 5 Senior
Player of the Year