Monroe Masters Recap

The first major on the Charlotte Tour is now in the books.

116 players, including 12 from 4 neighboring tours to battle over the 2 days.

If you followed the live score throughout Sunday, all flights came down to the last few holes before a winner emerged.  In the case on 1 flight, we had to go an extra hole to eventually decide the winner.

In the Championship Flight, Jay Barnes continued his winning ways.  Jay was the only player to post an under par two-day total 143 (-1) as he shot 74 (+2) & 69 (-3) to claim victory and have his ticket punched to the National Championship in Hilton Head later this year.  Brian McGowan making his return to the tour also posted a 3 under par 69 on Sunday for a two-day total of 145 (+1) to claim second.  John Heffernan continues his strong play early in the season and ends up 3rd with a two-day total of 147 (+3).  Rounding out the top 4 was Jobe Dyson who posted the only other under par round on Sunday when he shot 71.  His two-day total was 148 (+4)

In the A Flight, the battle between the leaders swayed back and forth all day long and after 36 holes, we still had three players tied.  David Rotatori, Judd Dye and Mark Ballew all headed back onto the course to settle the score.  It only took one hole for Mark to claim the hard fought victory.  All three players shot two day totals of 157 +13.  Using the second day score tiebreaker awarded second to David Rotatori leaving 3rd place for Judd Dye. Chris King just missed on the playoff shooting a two-day total of 158 (+14). Jason Breedlove took home 5th by edging out Seth Holloman on the 2nd day score tiebreaker.  Both players shot 2 day total of 159 (+15).

In the B Flight, we had the largest margin of victory when tour veteran Mike Edwards shoots his career round on Sunday.  In the previous two seasons, Mike has not broken 80, but on Sunday, things came together quite nicely and he posted a round of 75 coming from off the pace to claim a 6 shot victory.  Mike had a two-day total of 158 (+14).  In second was tour Rookie, Will Ray, who continues to improve.  Will's two-day total of 164 (+20) was one shot better than John Andersen and Xin Zhang who both shot two day totals of 165 (+21).  John Torres had a great second day and climbed into the 5th spot and beating John Rinaldi using the day 2 tiebreaker.  Both players shot two day totals of 166 (+22).

In the C Flight it was CENTRAL CAROLINA tour member Mike Gehrke who took home a 2 shot victory and another paid entry to the 2018 National Championship in Hilton Head later this year.  Mikes two-day total of 176 (+32) was 2 better than Matthew Gowan who shot a two day total of 178 (+34).  Taking home 3rd place was another newcomer, Colton Hollis, who used his home course advantage to his benefit and was able to shoot a two-day total of 179 (+35).  rounding out the top 4 was Chris McGee who finished in 4th with a two-day total of 180 (+36).

In the D Flight, as always, the winner is never decided until the final hole is played as this flight has the most volatility hole after hole.  Keith Gibson made his charge on his first 9 holes with two birdies and came back from a 6 shot deficit after round one to snatch the title away from 1st round leader and tour rookie Shannon Osborne.  Keith's two-day total of 184 (+40) was only 1 better than Shannon Osborne who shot 185 (+41) over the two days.

As I mentioned earlier...All flight winners won their entry fee paid for the National Championship in Hilton Head later this year.

Thanks to all who turned out to play and also those spectators who came out to support their favorite players.

This was the first event that I did not turn off registration when we got to the MAX player count and this practice will continue.  The Registration button will be turned off when we hit the MAX PD player count.  So...Guys and Gals....do not hesitate in making your payments as registration into an event is only guaranteed if you pay.

See you all back at our next event at the Palisades CC on Saturday May 19th.

Phil