Chicago, IL

The Chicago Golfweek Tour returned to Ruffled Feathers, home of the 2011 Regional Major, and this time Mother Nature was not as kind.  Last years tournament was in mid July and the heat was blazing, this year thunder and lightning welcomed the golfers with a 30 minute delay. However the skies mostly cleared and play was on.  The weather did not stop the field and tour rookies lead the charge for the day, as 4 of them found the winner’s circle.

In the Championship Flight, Matt Minder fired a 1 over par 73 en route to a 2 shot victory over Jon Schram  (75, 38-37).  Minder’s day was highlighted by a string of birdies that captapulted him to victory.  Minder birdied #11, #12, #13, & #14 to shot 2 under par on the back 9 and he needed every one of them.  “I was in a little zone there and had some good numbers on my approaches, I knew that I had a chance, I just needed to hold on over those last few holes” said Minder.  Mikael Nelander finished in 3rd (78, 38-40).  Schram maintained his early lead in the Championship Flight Chicago Cup standings with his 2nd place finish.

For the 2nd tournament in a row, the A flight saw a tour rookie take home the championship, as Travis Walters cruised to a 5 shot victory in the 23 player field.  Walters carded back to back birdies on#6 & #7 and then another on #14 to go along with his 11 pars on the day.  “I started a little rough out there, but settled down and got a few back on 6 & 7.  17 & 18 were tough today and to walk away with pars definitely made me happy” said Walters.  Fred Alaimo took 2nd with a 79 (41-38) and Tim Bell (Prairie Landing Champion) took 3rd as he carded an 80 (42-38).  Bell’s 3rd place finish has given him an early lead in the A Flight Chicago Cup standings over Travis Walters.

The 27 player field in the B flight was jam packed, but when the round was complete, Bob Rex squeaked out a 1 shot victory over a quartet of players.  Rex fired an 83 (40-43) that included 9 pars.  Rex had pressure from a few tour veterans and a tour rookie.  “I can’t believe I won” said Rex.   Tom Seputis (84, 43-41), Mark Wilson (84, 43-41), Drew Capra (84,42-42) & Ted Piwko (84,39-45) found themselves in a tie for 2nd place.  Tiebreakers split the tie and gave the nod the second place finish to Tom Seputis and 3rd to Mark Wilson.  Rex’s victory puts him in 1st place for the B Flight Chicago Cup Standings with a slim lead over Prairie Landings Champion, Bill Duryea.

The C Flight welcomed the season’s first woman champion as Julie Maalik-Naselli beat the 18 player field by 4 shots, shooting an 85 (40-45).  Maalik-Naselli’s round was highlighted by an eagle 2 on the par 4-14th as she holed out from the fairway.  “I had a ton of fun out there, not sure I can live up to this next time out, but what a blast” said Maalik-Naselli.  2nd place went to  George Tudor (87, 42-45) and Richard Aquino carded an 89 (47-42) for his 3rd place finish.  With her victory, Maalik-Naselli  joins Frank Alaimo and George Tudor atop the C Flight Chicago Cup standings.  Although it may be short lived, as a flight promotion is within her sights.

Michael  McLaughlin (96,48-48) continued the rookie stride to the champions podium, but one problem….he had to leave.  McLaughlin is a Chicago Fire Paramedic and needed to leave the tournament to play in the Fire-Police softball game, meaning he didn’t know he claimed the hardware until Sunday.  Either way, McLaughlin edged out Scott Marinic (97, 53-44) by one stroke and Mike Schmitt (98, 49-49) by two shots. Marincic is now the proud owner of 6-2nd place finishes in the last two seasons, one of these days Scott will break through! With his victory, McLaughlin has leapfrogged the pack to the front of the D Flight Chicago Cup standings.

The tour’s next two events take them to private country clubs (Glen Flora CC & Itasca CC).  For more information on how you can become a tour member, contact tour director Rob Maguire at 630-886-3442 or Chicago@amateurgolftour.net