The Open @ Irish Creek 2019

112 golfers started the 2-day event. We had golfers from 5 other tours join us for this weekend and continue our sell out streak in the majors.  The weather gods were looking out for us on Saturday as a major storm seemed to split and we were spared with just a little rain.   We called the golfers off the course for about an hour as a cell passed thru that had electricity in it, but the golfers went back out and finished round number one.  Sunday was a beautiful afternoon with the sun shining most of the day with a few scattered clouds overhead.  The action was plentiful as the leaderboard had lots of movement on the final day of action.

In the Championship Flight, Joe Jaspers claims his second major victory of the year. shooting a 2-day total of even par 142. New member, John Moheyer claimed second place in his first event on tour shooting a 2-day total of 145 (+3).  Randy Dockins finishes in 3rd with a 2-day total of 147 (+5) and rounding out the top 4 was Scott Roberts with a 2-day total of 148 (+6).

In the A Flight, Overnight leader Scott Ide had to WD after an injured hip would not let him complete his second round.  If anyone was watching the leaderboard, this flight had lots of drama coming home.  Marc Janse Van Rensburg had a 2-shot lead over Jason Benguche with 5 holes to play.  Jason with Birdie on #2 got to within 1 and then on the par 4, fourth hole Jason made another birdie while Marc took an unfortunate double bogie. That gave Jason the cushion he needed and a par on his last hole sealed the deal finishing with a 2-day total of 151 (+9).  In talking with Jason prior to the round, we talked about how he was in the final group in the first major of the year and could not close the deal and how experience means a lot when playing in these events.  It certainly paid off and a well-deserved victory.  Second place would end up going to Michael Brandenburg who tied with Marc Janse Van Rensburg, both players hooting identical 2-day total of 154, but Michael day-2 score of 75 was used as the tie breaker.  Fourth place went to Chris Cloud who shot up the leaderboard and claimed the final spot after firing an even par round of 71 on the final day.  His 2-day total was 155.

In the B Flight, it was a wire to wire victory for Joseph Tucker who shot a 2 day total of 160 (+18) to claim a 3 shot victory over Brad Greene.  Joe's final nine hole made the difference as he shot a 1 over par 36 on his final nine holes to seal the deal.  Brad's 2-day total of 163 (+21) was good enough for second.  We had a 3-way tie for 3rd with 3 golfers shooting 2-day totals of 165 (+23).  After comparing second day scores, Dirk Krause claims third, Nolan Elenz claims 4th and rounding out the top 5 was David Quattlebaum.

In the C Flight, Matt Walker who trailed by one coming into the round, shot a great round of 81 to cruise to a 5 shot victory.  His 2-day total of 162 (+20) was 5 better than overnight leader Brandon Halsey who shot a 2-day total of 167 (+25).  Matt has continued to improve this year and I'm certain we will see him in B Flight in the next tournament after these scores are posted.  Keep up the good play.  Mark Langford claims third with a 2-day total of 168 (+26) and rounding out the top 4 was Lyn Rhode (Charleston Tour) with a 2-day total of 170.

In the D Flight, it was a volatile afternoon.  What appeared to be a walk away winner at the start of the day turned a little hairy during the round.  Thomas Odlaug (Columbia Tour) came in with a 7-shot lead to start the day,  but finishing these 2-day tournaments can be hard. After 15 holes, Runner-up Eric Herman took a 1 shot lead with 3 holes to go, but on hole 14, Eric made double bogie and Thomas made birdie which swung the needed in his favor and was able to hold off Eric in the final 2 holes to claim the victory.  His 2-day total of 173 (+31) was 2 better than Eric who shot 175 (+33).  George Wood had a great second day and moved way up to claim the final paying position shooting a 2-day total of 176 (+34) and winning a scorecard playoff by shooting 84 on the second day.

Thanks again, to all the competitors who came out this past weekend.  Another sell-out and thanks to all who continue to support our Stand Up to Cancer charity.  This weekend we raised another $600 to raise our season total to $3600.  Each tournament the host course donates a round of 4 to us so we can raffle these off to help support this great cause.  Normally we do this in 2 draws, one during this weekend and another at the end of the season.  This year, I've decided to hold all these draws at the very end of the season AFTER the second round of the local finals.  

Phil