Tournament Results
Entering the 3rd annual "grudge" match, the Chicago and Milwaukee teams were excited to renew the rivalry. After both tours had defended their home turf the previous two meetings, many wondered if home course advantage was real?
The teams were set and tournament sponsor Wilson supported the teams with tour gear. The players were ready to tee it up and get after each other.
The first set of matches featured four ball (best ball) action and the Chicago B Flight started out hot winning 3 of the 4 opening matches. However the Milwaukee C Flight played well all weekend, and took 2 of the next 3 matches to keep it close.
The Champ flight saw another set of split matches and then the Chicago D Flight lead by Chicago Cup Champion Chet Laskowski took the last two matches of the morning session (which would later prove to be some foreshadowing to the conclusion of the event) to give Chicago the lead 8.5 to 6.5 headed into the afternoon matches.
The afternoon session featured a modified alternate shot format and that can be entertaining and nerve-wracking. The Chicago B Flight lead the way again, winning 2 matches and squaring another. Nancy Hatten and Les White were a perfect 2-0 for the day!
The Chicago C Flight rebounded in the afternoon and won 2 of the 3 matches highlighted by a match winning 40 foot putt on 18 by Mark Wilson!
The Milwaukee D Flight played better in the afternoon and scratched out 2 all square matches. The Champ flight split again in the afternoon as well as the A flight and the afternoon matches ended 8.5 to 6.5 in favor of Chicago.
Day 1 ended with a pairings dinner that evening and the Chicago team leading the overall match 17-13. A stark comparison to the last two events that found the home teams possessing large leads. Both team captains knew that the final day would lead to some excitement, they were just unsure the final outcome.
The final round consisted of 30 singles matches with 30 points on the line, it was anyone's tournament to win. The first four matches were split and then Milwaukee started their comeback, 4 of the next 5 went to Milwaukee and they pulled to within 1.5 points of a tie game. Rich Cattani finished a perfect 3-0 for the weekend for Team Milwaukee!
The Champ flight swung the momentum back to Chicago as they won 3 of the 4 matches. The overall score stood 22.5 to 19.5 in favor of Chicago. The Champ flight was highlighted by Caleb Funke (Chicago) for his 3-0 record for the weekend.
The next 8 matches featured the A flight with the tournament on the line and the weather shifted from perfect to downright treacherous. A major storm started a huge downpour, but play went on for the time being.
Chicago Cup Champion Anthony Zumpano closed out Milwaukee Cup Champion Joe Thom on the 18th hole to earn a point. Phil Webb (Milwaukee) earned a point, then Chicago took the next two points with victories from Fred Alaimo and Nick Lanas. Keenan Quick grinded out a tough win for Milwaukee. After Ron Potocnik (Chicago) and Aaron Meyers squared their match, Milwaukee took the next two matches with wins from Eric Schoo and Scott Quimby.
With the B and D flights on the course grinding away, the score stood: Chicago 26 Milwaukee 24. Chicago needed 4.5 more points to win the Cup and Milwaukee needed 6 to retain.
Steve Moreci (Chicago) and Matt Mauldin (Milwaukee) won their matches to keep it close. Then Mike Aschberger and Adam Pearsall won their matches to swing the momentum in Milwaukee's favor. The next two matches were squared between Jose Arroyo and Sammy Zaucedo and Joe Affrunti and Pascual Espinoza -- the match was tied 28-28
Now only the D Flight remained on the course, fighting through the rain and downpouring thunderstorm, Milwaukee needed 2 points in the final 4 matches to retain the Cup, Chicago need 2.5 points to win the cup back. The course was taking on massive amounts of rain at an alarming pace.
Kirk Tessendorf put Milwaukee closer winning his match and earn
ing a full point to put Milwaukee 1 point away from victory. Shortly after Chicago took the next match as Chet Laskowski finished his weekend 2-0-1. Tie game again. After a squared match in the 2nd last group between Ed Mallett and Matt Bacon, the score stood at 29.5 all.
The final match of the day was between Rick Pisarcyzk (Chicago) and Roger LaFave (Milwaukee). Two long standing members of their respective tour. With the course closed now due to the conditions and the match tied, only 1 more hole was allowed to be played where Pisarcyzk edged our LaFave to give team Chicago the victory and the Cup.
"What a great tournament, to end on the final match on the final hole of the tournament is amazing" said Chicago captain Rob Maguire. "The weather was crazy and fitting to a great weekend of golf by both teams" said Milwaukee Captain Blaine Lynch.
With Chicago's victory the have regained the cup and the overall series 2-1. Planning has already begun to for Border Battle IV. Congrats to both teams and their players!!
