Last weekend, 128 members of the Amateur Players Tour competed in the most recent major of the season at the famed TPC Deere Run, located in Silvis, IL. TPC Deere Run annually plays hosts to the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic, which was contested just 3 short weeks ago. When players say that they want to play a course in PGA Tour Condition, TPC Deere Run certainly didn’t disappoint. The heat brought firm and fast conditions, 3” lush tour-level rough, and fast greens made for a fun weekend of competitive golf.
In Division 1, Kentucky’s Tony Wise set the pace early, firing an impressive 2-over par on a difficult golf course with disaster lurking at every turn. Wise already has one major under his belt this season, at Omni Bedford Springs. Close behind would be fellow major champion, St. Louis’ Nate McCutcheon and Iowa Tri-State’s Brandon Estabrook who sat just one shot back at 75. Tony Wise would have another solid round on Sunday, shooting 75 to earn a 3-shot victory over Kentucky’s Barney Sutley, who finished in 2nd just 3 shots back. St. Louis’ Nate McCutcheon finished in 3rd at 153 and Kentucky’s Andrew Miller fired a weekend-low round of 72 to move into 4th place.
In Division 2, St. Louis’ Joel Miller followed up his win at the APT Public Links, firing a first round 75 to take a 3-shot lead against Iowa Tri-State’s Brian Vance. Sunday would belong to Phoenix’s Tony Ham, who is a native to the area, as he shot an even-par 71, coming from 7-shots back to earn a 4-shot victory over Joel Miller. Miller finished in 2nd place with a 2-day total of 157. 3rd position went to Nashville’s Marcus Wirth, who’s 2-day total of 158 bested 4th place Jon Wendt by 1 stroke. Indianapolis’ Jon Wendt was promoted to Division 2 after his victory at the APT Public Links Championship at Annbriar, and is showing he can compete against the best fields in the APT in Division 2. 5th place went to Iowa’s Brian Vance, who carded a 2-day total of 160.
In Division 3, St. Louis’ Scott Swanston jumped out to an early lead with a 1st round 81 to sleep on a one-shot advantage over St. Louis’ Dallas Cook, who recently was promoted to Division 3. Sunday belonged to Chris Huge of Charleston. After a 3-putt on the first hole, Huge decided to change his putting grip and then have himself a day. Huge played holes 1-9 in a bogey-free 3-under par, shooting his best round in 25+ years to earn a 2-shot victory over St. Louis’ Scott Swanston and Augusta’s Robert Robinson. Chris Huge is a regular on the APT, and recently was promoted to Division 3. Congratulations on your continuous improvement Chris! Philadelphia’s Rick Knepp and Iowa Tri-State’s Scott Riley tied for 4th place with 2-day totals of 167. 6th place went to Kansas City’s Scott Wroubel with a 2-day total of 170.
In Division 4, Kansas City’s Bret Bullock jumped out to the early lead with a 90, but he was followed closely by 3 players just one-shot back: Zach Walker (Columbus), James Reeves (Kansas City) and Jesse Baumann (St. Louis). Sunday, the best round of the day from St. Louis’ Logan Madren who shot an 86 to jump all the way into second place. Columbus’s Zach Walker proved to have the steady hand, following up a solid round with another solid round of 89 to earn a 3 shot victory. 3rd place went to Columbus’ Chris Hatfield with a 2-day total of 184. Iowa Tri-State’s Luke Mudd and St. Louis’ Jesse Baumann tied for 4th with 2-day totals of 185.
In Division 5, Indianapolis’ Bill Groseclose shot a weekend best 91 to jump out to a big lead on Saturday. Trailing him was Iowa Tri-State’s Jayme Duinink and Columbus’s Steve Smith, who both shot 97 to tie for 2nd. Sunday’s round would belong to Rocky Metcalfe of Kansas City, who overcame adversity to earn his first major victory after several close calls. Rocky’s second round 95 tied for the lowest score of the day, and earned him the victory with a 2-day total of 193. Steve Smith finished just short one-shot back with 194, while Kansas City’s Justin Bennett took solo 3rd with a 2-day total of 195. Bill Groseclose finished 4th with a 2-day total of 196, while Jayme Duinink rounded out the top 5 with a 2-day total of 197.
From here, the APT will host its final major of the 2022 season at The Labor Day at Chambers Bay, located on the Puget Sound in Washington State. Chambers Bay played host to the U.S. Open in 2015, and is a regular on the USGA championship schedule, being rated a Top-50 golf course. Registration closes August 1st, so don’t miss your last opportunity to compete in a major in the 2022 season!
Blind Draw Fourball Results and Payouts
(*Indicates player has reached USGA max and prize changed to conform to USGA Rules)
Players will receive an email from ally@aptgolf.org to verify sizes and shipping addresses.
- Tony Ham and Scott Wroubel (APT Projekt Backpacks)
2. Chris Huge* and Justin Bennett (APT Projekt Backpacks)
T-3. Korbin Thomas and Paul Brown (APT Projekt Backpacks)
T-3. Tony Ham* and Cody Gebauer (APT Projekt Backpacks)
T-3. Scott Swanston and Keith St. Pierre (APT Projekt Backpacks)
T-6. Korbin Thomas and Rocky Metcalfe (Winston Collection Headcover & Mission Belt)
T-6. Tony Ham* and Rocky Metcalfe (FOH Shirt, Mission Belt & APT Flexfit Hat)
- Paul Schmitz and Bill Groseclose (FOH Shirt, Mission Belt & APT Flexfit Hat)
T-9. Russell Cook and Scott Riley (Mission Belt & APT Flexfit Hat)
T-9. Roger Bales and Joel Miller (Mission Belt & APT Flexfit Hat)
T-9. Matt Phillips and Luke Mudd (Mission Belt & APT Flexfit Hat)
T-9. Rick Knepp and Scott Wroubel (Mission Belt & APT Flexfit Hat)
T-9. Scott Swanston and James Reeves (Mission Belt & APT Flexfit Hat)