RALEIGH'S MICHAL TAKES "STACKED" EGOLF CHAMP FLIGHT
Posted: 7/19/2009 3:23:33 PM
Doug Michal (Champ Flight) Phil Solesky (A Flight) Russ Rilling (B Flight)
Raleigh, NC (July 18, 2009) - Doug Michal of Raleigh led a group of tightly bunched Championship Flight players in the Egolf event held at River Ridge Golf Course today. Every single member of the flight finished within 5 strokes of Michal's 74. Unlike their professional counterparts "across the pond" at the British Open, all members of the flight managed to break 80 - the first time this season that that has occurred.
With all the participants grouped so tightly, it isn't suprising that Michal had to go to a playoff to get his win. Jim Arlington of Apex also carded a 74 during regulation play. After both hitting fine shots to the green in regulation on the first playoff hole, Michal calmly dropped his 15 ft birdie putt and emerged the winner when Arlington left his 9 footer right on the lip. This was Michal's first Tour win since the Devils Ridge event last season.
The A Flight, which played from the shorter Blue tees, saw Durham's Phil Solesky post the lowest score of the day with an even-par 72, besting Morrisville's Josh McCain by 2 strokes. Solesky, who plays both the Egolf and Harris Teeter Senior Tours on a regular basis, grabbed his first Tour win.
In the B Flight, Tour newcomer Michael Kang of Cary parred the first hole to win his playoff against Apex' Bob Sheahan and Durham's Daren Green. All three had posted 75s on their original 18. Kang, who has two Tour appearances to his credit and has finished "in-the-money" both times, is eyeing the A Flight for future competition.
Madison's Rus Rilling managed to nip two guys - James Lingo of Rocky Mount, and Pittsboro's Mike Thomas - by a single stroke to take home the C Flight trophy. Rilling's 82 continued the recent streak of low scores that has marked C Flight competition lately.
THE EGOLF AMATEUR GOLF TOUR
RIVER RIDGE GOLF CLUB EVENT
TOP FIVE SCORES BY FLIGHT
CHAMPIONSHIP (6,740 yds)
Doug Michal, Raleigh 74
Jim Arlington, Apex 74
Mark Rowland, Yancyville 76
Brent Miller, Cary 76
David Cotton, Cary 77
Alex Brennan, Raleigh 77
A FLIGHT (6,274 yds)
Phil Solesky, Durham 72
Josh McCain, Morrisville 74
Tad Galloway, Cary 76
Mike Erexson, Durham 77
Bobby Elder, Randleman 77
Brad Morris, Four Oaks 77
B FLIGHT (6,274 yds)
Michael Kang, Cary 75
Bob Sheahan, Apex 75
Daren Green, Durham 75
Carl Hill, Cary 76
David Teal, Fayetteville 81
Jeff Posey, Greensboro 81
C FLIGHT (6,274 yds)
Rus Rilling, Madison 82
James Lingo, Rocky Mount 83
Mike Thomas, Pittsboro 83
Jesse Ingle, Gibsonville 86
Steven Bell, Raleigh 87