Oakbrook Invitational Recap

Oakbrook Invitational Brings Low Scores  

Lakewood, WA – The Oakbrook Invitational brought exciting golf, good weather, and finally a dry course for the Golf Channel Amateur Tour of Seattle.  Hosted at Oakbrook Golf & Country Club, the course proved to be generous, as we saw numerous birdies throughout the day from players in each flight.  The competition was intense as the field averaged the lowest round for the local season.    

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – The players in the Palmer flight came ready to compete on Sunday.  Play started off on fire on the front side, with Philip Burton, of Anacortes, WA making the turn at 37.  But players were on Philip’s heals, with Jon Gunnison only 1 stroke back, and Raji Bharti 2 strokes.  Philip was able to hold off the back nine charge, shooting a 77 to become the champion.  David Wilsie, of University Place, WA tried to make up ground on the back by shooting 37, but ultimately took 2^nd with a 79.  Brian Youngdahl, of Seattle, WA also had an impressive back nine and finished tied with Raji Bharti with an 80.

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – Throughout the season, the Hogan Flight has made some of the most exciting field for each tournament, and this week they once again confirmed it.  Brian Wimer, of Lake Stevens, WA shot an impressive 37 on the front nine to make the turn in the lead.  But Jerry Browning was not going to make it easy for Brian, by having back-to-back birdies on Hole 8 and 9 to make the turn only 2 shots back.  But the back nine proved to be challenging, and with a player who knows how to grind until the very end, Mike Knox, of Shoreline, WA managed to surpass his competition, shooting a 37.  Mike finished with a 78 to take home another impressive victory for the season.  Brian Wimer finished only 1 shot back for 2^nd place.

Senior Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – The Senior Hogan Flight proved they can compete with their younger flight by shooting very comparable scores.  Jeff Olsen, of Everett, WA and Jerry Gregg of Redmond, WA both fired 39’s on the front to make the turn as co-leaders and several players within striking distance.  Jeff was ultimately able to hold off the competition to become the champion by shooting a 79.  Mitch Cohan, of Seattle, WA had a great back nine to finish in 2^nd place, with an 80. 

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) – The largest flight of the day, the Sarazen Flight had Jim Howie, of Lake Tapps, WA and Cindy Merritt, of Seattle, WA battling it at the turn, as the co-leaders made the turn with 40’s.  Ultimately, Jim Howie proved to own the back side, and fired a 79 to win.  Ted Calico, of Des Moines, WA and Peter Hunt, of Bellevue, WA heated up the competition, both improving on the back side and finishing tied for 2^nd place with 83’s.  And with several ladies in this flight, they showed they can contend with the men.  Kathy Provazek and Cindy Merritt both shot 85 to finish tied for 4^th place.    

Jones Flight (16.0-19.9) – Michael Olson, of Covington, WA led the field all day and took home an easy win.  Michael shot an impressive 39 on the front, giving him a comfortable lead, and ultimately finishing his round with an 83.  Frank Rohrschneider, of Renton, WA shot an 88, to finish in 2^nd place. 

Snead Flight (20.0 +) –  It was a battle for the Snead Flight, as Jack Plummer, of North Vancouver, BC and Yvonne Sadtler, of Port Orchard, WA went head-to-head.  Yvonne had an impressive 7-stroke lead at the turn but Jack tried to battle it on the back making up several strokes.  But Jack’s 42 on the back nine, was not enough and Yvonne finished victorious with a 93 to become champion.   

Top Finishers and Payouts

For full field scores and photos please visit www.gcamtour.com. 

Palmer Flight

77-Philip Burton ($110 and Trophy)

79-David Wilsie ($65)

80-Brian Youngdahl ($45)*

Hogan Flight

78-Mike Knox ($125 and Trophy)

79- Brian Wimer ($50)

Senior Hogan Flight

79-Jeff Olsen ($125 and Trophy)

80- Mitch Cohan ($50)

Sarazen Flight

79-Jim Howie ($140 and Trophy)

83-Ted Calico ($95)*

83-Peter Hunt ($45)

85- Kathy Provazek ($30)*

Jones Flight

83-Michael Olson ($100 and Trophy)

88-Frank Rohrschneider ($40)

Snead Flight

93-Yvonne Sadtler ($50 and Trophy)

Optional Skins Results:

Group 1 (Palmer) 

#9 – Jon Gunnison ($28)

#10 – Tom Grina ($28)

#12 – Philip Burton ($28)

#13 – David Wilsie ($28)

#18 – Sean Dill ($28)

Group 2 (Hogan/Sr. Hogan/Sarazen) 

#1 – Jerry Gregg ($96)

#3 – Susie Berg ($96)

#4 – Kevin Davis ($96)

#16 – Jim Howie ($96)

#18 – Wayne Davis ($96)

Group 3 (Jones/Snead)

#3 – Frank Rohrschneider ($20)

#4 – Frank Rohrschneider ($20)

#5 – Michael Olson ($20)

#7 – Jack Plummer ($20)

#9 – Glenn Niemela ($20)

#10 – Michael Olson ($20)

#12 – Jack Plummer ($20)

#16 – Yvonne Sadtler ($20)