A late addition to the schedule, Northstone Country Club played host to the Golfweek Amateur Charlotte Tour. Over One Hundred and Ten players across five tours, from Indianapolis to Myrtle Beach-Wilmington, teed it up on a sunny and blustery Monday afternoon.
As usual, Northstone played tough and brought tight competition in most flights.
In the Championship Flight, Jay Barnes and Joe Jaspers battled neck and neck most of the day. Jay, scoring 71 (-1), was able to fend off Joe, 73 (+1), for a two shot victory. Dennis Reames continues his solid play this year finishing third, shooting 77. Scott Roberts took fourth with a 78.
A flight saw a run away by Tripp Shelton from the Central Carolina Tour. Tripp's blistering front nine saw 3 birdies and an eagle to go out in 32. From there Tripp cruised to a 4 under 68. Chants of "Champ Flight Promotion" can still be heard at the course. With the rest of the field playing for the remaining 4 payout places the competition was exiting coming down the stretch. Mac McMillian (Central Carolina) secured second shooting 79. Northstone member Whit Fairer takes third with 80. With three players tied at 82 and only two spots left in the money, Brent Smith takes fourth while Terrence Newsome (Central Carolina) takes fifth. Charlotte Tour Director and Northsone member Phil Vangeersdaelen was the odd man out.
Dave Aussicker in B flight was the early club house leader with a scrappy 84. He had to wait a while and watch the the ever changing leaderboard and plyers jocky for position. When the dust settled we had to go to the scorecard as four players shot 86. Nolan Elanz takes second. Third goes to AJ Allmendinger. John Anderson takes fourth while Michael Hawkins finishes fifth.
C flight didn't see the same excitement as the some of the other flights although the volatility of this flight still keeps things exciting. Tony Pharr was able to build up enough of lead to secure the win shooting 85 and claim back to back victories. David cline, finishing second, stumbled early in the back nine but made a run in the closing stretch shooting 87. Mike Martin and Craig Altamira both shoot 89. Mike takes third on the scorecard and Craig takes fourth.
D flight, with one of their larger fields of the year was the only flight to be settled with a playoff. Chis Becks and Samir Patel both finishing the round with 93's. Chris Beck won the playoff on the first hole with a bogey for his first win on tour. Samir takes second while Jimmy Mullikan (Central Carolina) shoots 95 to take third.