Tour players were treated to another true major type test this past weekend at the Urbana Country Club in Urbana Ohio.
True to form, the P.B. Dye and Pink Dye layout played visual tricks from the tee box to the greens for tour players throughout the day that left many shaking their heads in awe and respect for the course after the final hole.
The scores were close to the end, and it produced some first time major winners for the year that makes the final chase for the flight championship very challenging.
In the championship flight, Jeff Thurman and Emmet Park both shot 79 to tie after a draining round of golf, trying to manage a course that is very demanding. This was a great finish for Emmet as it was his first tournament in Champ after moving from A. Thurman also got a $263 super skin after an amazing eagle on the hardest hole on the course number 6, with a hole out from the fairway.
The A flight also produced its first major winner of the year as Jared Minor had the largest margin of victory of the day, shooting a 75 and a four stroke victory over Jin Lee’s 79. Drue Lemasters came in a close third with an 80.
Brandon Peterson claimed his first major of the year in B flight with a birdie on the final hole to card a one stroke victory over Matthew Baucke, Kevin Brown and Todd Sadler, who carded an 85. The victory moved Brandon to the top of the leaderboard going into the final events of the year.
Jacob Bridges made a par on the first playoff hole over Buddy McBride to claim his first major title of the year. With the win Jacob is steadily moving up the points ladder. Dave Rogers and Bill Sluka tied for third with 87.
The D flight was just as close as, Johnathan Meenach, Gary Goldsmith, and Adam Kohler all shot 94. Kohler won on the number one handicap hole to claim the victory. Adam’s first win on tour proved to be a great one!
The end of the year race for the number 1 spot in each flight is sure to be competitive. In almost all the flights, a win or a couple of high point finishes is what will determine who comes out on top.
As a reminder, starting at the Moundbuilders Tournament, the top four players in each flight will be paired together in each tournament. Play well, and let’s have fun as we wind up this great season before Nationals.
Special thanks to the staff at Urbana CC for a great atmosphere and hospitality that we all really appreciated. The course was set up as a major tournament should be and provided a test for all flights.