The Columbus Golfweek Tour made its third stop of the year today at Hickory Hills Golf Club in Grove City, Ohio. With some much deserved good weather the course was playing great, and 114 Columbus Tour players couldn't wait to get out and show their skills.
In Championship flight we had another great turnout today. With some old and and new faces fighting their way up the points ladder today was a crucial point in the season. Tim Ford started his round the same way he ended it, on fire! On a very tough course Tim's four birdies led him to a solid round of 74, and one step closer to the top of the points lead. Right behind him was first year tour member Jeff Thurman. Jeff showed that he's really got some game, shooting 75 and winning second place alone. One of the stories of the day was from tour newcomer Kyle Augsberger. Kyle played consistent all day carding a 78, but it was his incredible birdie at the par four 18th that gave him a super skin worth $385!
In A flight we had one of our largest fields of the year with a total of twenty four players. The level of competition has increased a ton in 2012 in the A flight with new players placing in each event. Today was no different. In his first ever tournament on the Golfweek Amateur Tour, Dave Neer played lights out shooting 75 and running away with the victory. Dustin Welch and Emmett Park would hand in their scorecards both shooting 77. Our first scorecard playoff of the day would go to Dustin. Emmett takes third and Doug Jackson would round out the top four.
Once again this week our biggest flight of the tournament by far was B flight. 37 total on the day would equal huge payouts and low scores. One of the best scores we have ever had in B flight came from Dan Dickenson today. His incredible round of 76 blew away the field and earned him a much deserved win, his first on tour. Now for the other story of the day. James Huffman has played quite a few events on the Golfweek Tour but none quite as good as this one. He and Gary Alford both shot 83 in the tournament. James would win the scorecard playoff but thats not all. With his earnings from placing second, his super skin, and flight skin, James took home over $600 in one round! What a day, congratulations Jim!
C flight had another competitive field with twenty players, all pushing hard to take the lead in the overall standings. Marc Weinstock shot a 85 on the day and won his second tournament in a row. With the stiff competition in C flight this was no easy task. Especially with Brandon Peterson breathing down his neck all round. The two went back and forth all day, matching shot for shot. Brandon ended up only two shots back with a great 87. Brandon has played solid all year and has never placed out of the top two in any event he has played on the Golfweek Tour. Our next scorecard playoff today was from Kevin Brown and Tim Gobble, with Tim edging out Kevin for third place.
D flight had some of its best play all year as well. Eric Gabriel and Benny Bennett both handed in scores of 93. Hickory Hills is a very challenging course and these were really good rounds. Usually on the Golfweek Tour we have sudden death playoffs for first place out on the course. Due to darkness we had to settle it on the scorecard. With the same score on the #1 handicap hole we had to go to the second hardest hole, the par 5 twelfth. Number twelve is probably the best and most scenic hole on the entire course, and Benny played it great. His par gave him his first every victory on the tour! We look forward to these two battling it out all year.
I want to thank our members for another great tournament! Our next event is at New Albany Links. We have the course for the whole day, with a 8am shotgun followed by a 2pm shotgun. We are going for the largest single day event ever in the history of the Golfweek Tour. I hope everyone can make it!