Local Finals Recap
The Charlotte Local season wrapped up its 2019 season with a 2-day event at the Club @ Irish Creek and Northstone CC. Close action in all flights ensured some very dramatic finishes highlighted by a 5-man playoff in the A Flight and 2 Holes-in-One on the same hole.
In the Championship Flight, Scott Roberts takes home the victory with back to back even par rounds on Saturday and Sunday. Scotts 2-day total of 143-71-72 was 5 shots better than runner-up Scott Patnode with a 2-day total of 148-74-74 (+5). Third place went to Jay Barnes with a 2-day total of 150-75-75 (+7) and rounding out the top 4 was Brian McGowan with a 2 day total of 153-74-79 (+10).
In the A Flight, as mentioned previously came down to a 5-man playoff. Daniel Gleason 154-75-79 (+11), Phil VanGeersdaelen 154-78-76 (+11), Charles Devenney 154-78-76 (+11), Whit Fairer 154-79-75 (+11) and Chase Brown 154-75-79 (+11) all went back to the 18th hole to begin the playoff which is one of the hardest holes at Northstone. It only took one hole to crown Chase Brown the champion as he made an incredible up and down out of the back bunker and drain a 15 foot par putt for the win. Unfortunately, no one else in the group was able to get a par and continue the playoff.
In the B Flight, Chris Beeman takes home the first-place prize which included his paid entry to the National Championships next month. Chris' 2 day total of 160-76-84 was one shot better than Flip Flippo who shot 161-82-79. Robert Gruendel takes home 3rd shooting 163-76-87. Fourth place goes to Terry Upright 166-80-86 over Nolan Elenz 166-79-87 by a better second day score tie-breaker.
In the C Flight, Jake Wright (166-78-88) goes wire-to-wire to claim a 3 shot victory over Shannon Osborne (169-82-87). Brandon Halsey (173-83-90) claims third place and rounding out the top 4 was Greg Pounds (174-84-90).
In the D Flight, Greg Scott (185-89-96) comes from 5 shots back entering day 2 to claim victory and punch his ticket to the National Championships in October. Stefan N-Plotnicki (187-90-97) jumps into second after day 1 leader Samir Patel has his struggle over the final 18 holes.
Thank you all for a great season and I look forward to seeing all those that will be in Hilton Head for the National Championships. I'd also like to thank ALL those players from neighboring tours that have come and played on our local Charlotte events this year.
As the season concluded with this tournament, I'm happy to announce our2019 point champions.
- Championship Flight - Scott Roberts
- A Flight - Wes Jones
- B Flight - Nolan Elenz
- C Flight - Hector Moreno
- D Flight - Dustin Church
We are actively working on the 2020 schedule and will have this published in November once the tour championship wraps up.
I'd also like to thank the following people personally who have added so much to the Charlotte Season.
Tom Chambers and Randy Hodges who have been there at every event to help with check-in and final round scoring. A lot of work goes on behind the curtains that many don't see, and these two guys have been there to make things go as smoothly as possible throughout the year.
Terry Bollenbecker who is our SNACKS guy. Terry has donated the Lance Snacks for every Golfweek and Senior Tour event during the season, so when you see Terry at the finals, please tell him thanks as I know all of you enjoy the cookies/crackers that he has provided.
The tour is only as strong as the membership we have. Charlotte continues to be one, if not the largest tours in the country. So, I thank all the players who have come out during this season to make it what it is.
Looking forward to 2020 already.
Phil