Thank you to everyone who came out for the Birch Creek GC tournament. Congratulations to all the winners.
Champ Flight Winner - Chris Pestka
It was an exquisite day for golf amidst the splendid landscape of Birch Creek GC. The reigning points champion, Chris Pestka, aimed to secure consecutive victories, further augmenting his season-long standing. Commencing his round with a prodigious high fade, expertly threading the ball down the center, Chris proceeded to par the initial hole, commencing a streak of seven pars. However, a couple of minor setbacks in the form of bogeys interrupted his otherwise flawless performance, culminating in a front-side score of 38 and a commanding three-stroke advantage.
As he progressed to the back nine, Chris maintained his exceptional play, beginning with 5 consecutive pars. While the challenging fifteenth hole presented some difficulties, Pestka swiftly rebounded, showcasing his finesse with a splendid birdie on the seventeenth. With composed determination, he concluded his round with a par, achieving a back-nine score of 38 and an overall total of 76, securing victory in back-to-back tournaments. This momentous occasion marks a remarkable milestone in Pestka's career, as it signifies his tenth win on the Golfweek Amateur Tour, a truly awe-inspiring accomplishment. It has been an absolute pleasure witnessing your unparalleled dominance over the competition. Congratulations on your resounding success, Chris.
A Flight Winner – Orson Lewis
In a captivating display of skill and determination, Orson Lewis, having already secured his maiden tour triumph at the prestigious two-day major at Crystal Highlands, set his sights on conquering his second tournament of the season. Unleashing his prowess from the outset, Lewis embarked on his round with consecutive pars, swiftly followed by a nice birdie on the challenging par 5 third hole. Building upon this early success, Mr. Lewis masterfully added three more pars to his scorecard, culminating in a front-nine performance of 37 and an impressive three-stroke lead.
Undeterred by the turn, Lewis continued to exhibit a stellar brand of golf on the back nine, confidently stringing together four more pars and executing a crucial birdie on the demanding 14th hole. Thereafter, he maintained control over his game, skillfully navigating the final holes with ease. With a back-nine score of 39 and a total round of 76, he left his competitors in the dust, triumphing with a commanding four-stroke advantage. This glorious victory marks Orson Lewis's second victory on the esteemed Golfweek Amateur Tour this year, a testament to his unwavering dedication and immense talent. Congratulations, Orson, on an extraordinary round that left us all in awe.
B Flight Winner – Steve Diver
Following his inaugural win on tour, Vernon Graves embarked on a remarkable quest to achieve consecutive victories. However, his path to glory was going to be tested by the steady and unwavering performance of the ever-consistent Steve Diver and his fellow competitors in the B flight. Diver commenced his round with his trademark composure, stringing together an impressive sequence of five pars before encountering a brief setback with three consecutive bogeys. Nevertheless, he concluded the front nine with a par, resulting in a respectable score of 39, placing him a mere stroke behind the leader.
Meanwhile, Graves entered the fray with determination, starting his round going par, birdie, par. Vernon then, adding two more pars to his card, he concluded the front nine with a score of 40, trailing the lead by a margin of two strokes. As the competitors transitioned to the back nine, Graves made a significant impact on the leaderboard by delivering a pivotal birdie on the tenth hole. Despite encountering a couple of minor setbacks, he managed to salvage four pars on the second half of the course, mirroring his front-nine score of 40 and resulting in a total round score of 80 and the lead.
Steve Diver's performance on the back nine mirrored his steady play on the front. Displaying consistent and precise golf, he minimized his margin of error, executing impressive recovery shots and adding four pars to his scorecard. Consequently, he posted a back-nine score of 41, culminating in a total round score of 80, leading to a remarkable tie. Thus, a thrilling playoff ensued as both Steve and Vernon headed to the first hole. Battling the swirling winds and intermittent rain showers, both players encountered wayward tee shots. Ultimately, it was Steve Diver who exhibited exceptional recovery skills, emerging victorious in the playoff hole and securing his second career win on the Golfweek Amateur Tour, both achieved through playoffs. Once again, Steve rose to the occasion, showcasing his remarkable abilities under pressure and emerging as the deserving victor. Congratulations on a superb performance and a remarkable playoff victory, Steve. Your resilience and skill are truly awe-inspiring.
C Flight Winner – Alan Oberholtzer
In a remarkable display of persistence and dedication, Alan Oberholtzer, now in his second year on tour, tirelessly toiled towards his elusive maiden victory. Finally, on a resplendent day at the magnificent Birch Creek Golf Club in Union, MO, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Alan commenced his round with resounding vigor, forging ahead with a composed par on the opening hole, followed by an exquisite birdie on the second. Building upon this early success, he accumulated a few more pars and demonstrated his mettle by skillfully rescuing valuable strokes with clutch bogey saves. Concluding the front nine with a score of 41, he found himself a mere stroke adrift from the leader, Tom Pursley.
Undeterred, Alan continued his unwavering and consistent performance as he transitioned to the back nine. Exhibiting remarkable composure and focus, he added another four pars to his round, including a commendable par on the arduous fifteenth hole. Displaying an unyielding resolve, Oberholtzer concluded the back nine with a score of 40, culminating in an impressive round total of 81. This breathtaking display of skill and determination led to a momentous achievement for Alan—a well-deserved first victory on tour. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to you, Alan, on this magnificent triumph. Your unwavering dedication and superb performance have truly paid off. Well done, my friend.
D Flight Winner – Charlie Bieser
Charlie Bieser, a master of his craft, once again astounded onlookers with his virtuoso performance at Birch Creek Golf Club. In what can only be described as a standout year on tour, Charlie has already claimed victory in three out of the first six events. Today proved to be no exception as he continued to showcase his exceptional golfing prowess. Throughout the front nine, Bieser exhibited his unwavering precision, recording an impressive string of six pars. It was as if every swing he took held the weight of his very existence. With remarkable finesse, Charlie made the turn with an extraordinary score of 38, establishing a commanding eight-stroke lead over his rivals.
Transitioning to the back nine, Charlie revealed a momentary glimpse of his humanity. Nonetheless, he demonstrated his exceptional abilities by adding three more pars to his repertoire, accompanied by a couple of outstanding saves after encountering challenging situations. Ultimately, it was the substantial advantage he had built on the front nine that proved insurmountable for his adversaries. Concluding the back nine with a score of 47, Charlie secured a formidable round total of 85, claiming the tournament victory by a staggering margin of seven strokes. We extend our heartfelt congratulations on your fourth dub of the year and another awe-inspiring performance on the hallowed grounds of the golf course. Charlie Bieser, you are undoubtedly the epitome of greatness.