Today the Columbus Golfweek Amateur Tour held its eleventh event at Jefferson Country Club. Jefferson CC is ranked by Ohiogolfguide.com as the best private course in the state of Ohio, and 61 of our players were pumped up to give this difficult course their best shot. The course was in excellent shape and with temperatures over 100 degrees with the heat index, it was a tough test.
One of Jefferson’s original members took part in the tournament today, and his local knowledge of the speedy greens and sloped fairways paid off big time. That golfer was Tim Ford. Tim carded a one over 73. Two birdies on the scorecard and a bunch of pars was enough for Tim to hold off guest player Herb Smaltz. Herb played great in his debut on the Golfweek Tour shooting 75 and taking home second place in our largest Champ flight field of the year. Coming in the third spot is the always consistent Rich Campbell, adding to his already large points lead.
A familiar face was at the top of A flight today. That player is Eric Croker. Eric played solid and ended up the only player in A flight scoring a round in the seventies with a 77. Eric has played great all year and is adding to his large lead in the points chase. New player Jeff Ruhman had a great first experience on tour. He shot 82 to place second, won closest to the pin for A flight, and won a super skin with a birdie on the #1 handicap hole. Not bad for your first time. Two players finished with rounds of 83. Jared Minor and Alonzo Shavers had to take it to the scorecard to settle the third place tie. Jared’s par on the difficult hole # 5 paid off, giving him the edge.
Our biggest flight of the day again was B flight. B flight has grown consistently throughout the year, and is turning into our most competitive flight overall. With only a few strokes separating the top ten today our leaders knew that points are more crucial than ever. Bob Ubbing put together his third best score of the year to take home the top spot. His 83 with three birdies was enough for a two stroke victory. It couldn’t have come at a better time. He is now only a few points behind B flight leader Josh Davis, who just so happened to shoot 85 and go into a scorecard playoff with Findlay’s finest Al Russo. The results came in with Josh taking second place honors. The next three tournaments are crucial in B flight, it should go down to the wire.
Our score of the day goes to Bill Harrington. Bill has played great all year and today was no different. Bill’s 82 was good enough for a seven stroke shellacking, giving him his first ever tour victory in C flight. Coming in second is first year member Michael Bogutz. Michael has a great game and has placed every tournament that he has participated in. Rounding out the top three is point leader Howard Pavlofsky. Howard is playing the most consistent golf since he became a member of the tour five years ago, and it is paying off.
John Barnes steps back into the winners circle in the D flight today. His 93 was good enough for a one stroke victory, along with the only skin paid out in D flight. Overall his game is getting in gear and he can’t wait to show it off down in Hilton Head. Scott Marincic made the long trip from the Chicago Tour and represented them well winning second place. Right behind Scott with a score of 95 is D flight leader Mike Harris.
I want to thank all of the members that participated today and want to give a special thanks to the staff at Jefferson CC. Everybody had a great time. I hope to see everyone at Granville GC, the course is in great shape, and we should have an awesome turnout. Register online to play Granville at amateurgolftour.net.