Cedarcrest Recap

Sunshine Brings Birdies and Eagles  

Marysville, WA – The Cedarcrest Classic brought some of the lowest scores of the season, and finally a beautiful day of sunshine.  After a season of rain, the players were excited to show their ability on a dry and warm day, and brought 3 new champions for the 2011 season.  The day included some exciting golf, and many birdies throughout the round.  After an eagle in last week’s tournament, Ray May showed his skills by make another eagle on Saturday on Hole 6.     

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – The Palmer flight included a great field, with 4 of the 6 players shooting rounds in the 70s.  Brian Youngdahl, of Seattle, WA made the turn 1-over par and had a 2-shot lead over Mike Macris.  Brian continued to play well on the back, and shot a 75, to become champion.  This was Brian’s first win on the Tour, and he finished with a 2-shot victory over Joel Larson.    

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – The Hogan Flight had Mitch Cohan, of Seattle, WA leading the way at the turn, shooting 38 on the front, and giving him a comfortable 2-shot lead over Barry Lauderbaugh and Dale Stowell.  Barry increased pressure on the back, but Mitch was able to fight him off, and won by 1-shot, shooting a round of 78.  This was also Mitch’s first victory on the Tour.  Barry finished in 2^nd place, and is proving to be one of the main contenders each week in the Hogan Flight. 

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) – The Sarazen Flight was a heated battle among a tight field of players.  On the front, Don Harrell and Ted Calico made the turn, shooting 41 to be co-leaders.  But as the back nine proved to be more challenging for most players in the flight, Eric Bennett, of Tacoma, WA was able to fight his way back into contention.  Eric shot an impressive 39 on the back, to shot 82, and finish with a 2-shot lead over Ted. 

Jones Flight (16.0-19.9) – The Jones Flight was a tight race on the front with Hank La Luz Jr. and Frank Rohrschneider leading the way with 42’s, and only 1-shot behind was Jack Plummer.  As play continued on the back, Hank continued to be consistent and shot an impressive round of 83.  Hank finished with an incredible 5-shot lead to become champion.  This was his first victory of the 2011 season.  Jack finished in 2^nd place.

Top Finishers and Payouts

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

Palmer Flight

75-Brian Youngdahl ($130 and Trophy)

Hogan Flight

78-Mitch Cohan ($110 and Trophy)

79-Barry Lauderbaugh ($45)

Sarazen Flight

82-Eric Bennett ($130 and Trophy)

Jones Flight

83-Hank La Luz Jr. ($125 and Trophy)

88-Jack Plummer ($50)

Optional Skins Results:

Group 1 (Palmer/Hogan) 

#1 – Andrew Quinn ($29)

#3 – Tom Grina ($29)

#5 – Dale Stowell ($29)

#9 – Mitch Cohan ($29)

#14 – Barry Lauderbaugh ($29)

#15 – Barry Lauderbaugh ($29)

#17 – Tom Grina ($29)

Group 2 (Sarazen/Jones) 

#2 – Frank Rohrschneider ($37)

#4 – Don Harrell ($37)

#6 – Ray May ($37)

#10 – Jason Jenniges ($37)

#11– Hank La Luz Jr. ($37)

#12 – Jim Fisher ($37)

Trophy Lake Recap

Trophy Lake Invitational  

Port Orchard, WA – The Trophy Lake Invitational brought some of the most exciting golf of the season so far, with many birdies in each flight, and even an eagle.  The Golf Channel Amateur Tour of Seattle hosted this week’s event at Trophy Lake Golf & Casting, which was in great condition.  The day was filled with rain and sunshine, only to be left with thunder and lightning as the last few groups hurried to the finish the 18^th hole.  And just as the weather changed throughout the day, so did the leaders.   

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – The Palmer flight was a battle as players worked against a challenging course.  Brian Youngdahl made the turn in the lead by 1-shot over David Wilsie.  With a steady back nine, David kept fighting against Brian for the lead.  Brian made an exciting birdie on Hole 17 to get a 1-stroke lead going into the final hole.  With a tough finishing hole, David hit a drive down the middle of the fairway as Brian got himself in trouble to the right.  David was able to finish the hole with a par, shooting an 80, and became champion by 2-shots. 

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – The Hogan Flight was lead by Daniel Wiggins, of University Place, WA.  Daniel shot a 38 on the front, to have a 3-shot lead over Kevin Merulli and Mitch Cohan.  As players worked to catch Daniel, he proved to be playing consistent golf.  Daniel shot an impressive round of 76, to become champion, and was overall low round of the entire field.  Kevin finished in 2^nd Place, with a round of 81.

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) – The Sarazen Flight was lead by Don Harrell, of Bothell, WA, who also shot an impressive 38 on the front, to have a 2-shot lead over Scott Chung.  As the back nine proved to be more challenging, Don was able to hold on to his lead, and shot an 82.  This was Don’s first victory this season.  Players continued to battle on the back, with Cindy Merritt and Peter Hunt making moves.  Cindy and Peter finished tied in 2^nd Place with rounds of 87.

Jones Flight (16.0-19.9) – The Jones Flight was a battle among the second pairing, as Michael Grant made the turn with a 3-shot lead.  But Ray May was close behind due to an exciting eagle on Hole 7 and birdie on Hole 9.  The back proved to be more challenging for most players, but Glenn Niemela, of Lynnwood, WA made his move.  Glenn shot a notable 40 on the back, to put himself in the competition.  With a final round of 85, Glenn became champion, and was Glenn’s first victory of the season.  Ray May finished in 2^nd Place with a round of 87, beating Michael by only 1-shot.

Snead Flight (20.0 +) – The Snead Flight had an adventurous round, as Yvonne Sadtler made the turn with a 2-shot lead over Mike Pavlik.  But as the back side again proved to be challenging, Mike was steady, and shot a round of 91 to become champion.

Top Finishers and Payouts

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

Palmer Flight

80-David Wilsie ($65 and Trophy)

Hogan Flight

76-Daniel Wiggins ($135 and Trophy)

81-Kevin Merulli ($55)

Sarazen Flight

82-Don Harrell ($140 and Trophy)

87-Cindy Merritt ($80)*

87-Peter Hunt ($55)

Jones Flight

85-Glenn Niemela ($100 and Trophy)

87-Ray May ($45)

Snead Flight

91-Mike Pavlik ($65 and Trophy)

Optional Skins Results:

Group 1 (Palmer/Hogan/Sarazen) 

#5 – Eric Bennett ($160)

#18 – Barry Lauderbaugh ($160)

Group 2 (Jones/Snead) 

#2 – Ray May ($20)

#5 – Yvonne Sadtler ($20)

#6 – Michael Grant ($20)

#7 – Ray May ($20)

#9– Ray May ($20)

#11 – Ray May ($20)

#14 – Glenn Niemela ($20)

#15 – Mike Pavlik ($20)

#18 – Hank La Luz Jr. ($20)

Independence Classic Recap

2^nd Half Order of Merits starts with the Independence Classic  

Mukilteo, WA – The Independence Classic was the first event for the Golf Channel Amateur Tour of Seattle for the 2^nd Half Order of Merits.  Hosted at Harbour Pointe Golf Club, the course proved that the players who hit the ball straight would have a better chance of scoring well.  At a course that is known for its two distinctively different nines, the course allowed more opportunity on the back nine for players to make up ground.  But in the end, the players that scored well on the front became the champions for each flight, with only one player making a large enough comeback on the back.      

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – The Palmer flight consisted of a great group of players, with 5 of the 6 players having victories already this season.  Jon Gunnison, of Mukilteo, WA, came out ahead on the front nine.  Jon made the turn with a 3-shot lead over Mike Macris.  But with the back nine bringing lower scores, Jon had to remain consistent.  Jeff Olsen and Joel Larson made runs by shooting impressive 39’s on the back.  But the 39’s were not enough to catch Jon, who shot a final round 83 to become champion.  This was Jon’s second victory of the season. 

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – The Hogan Flight had to compete with Barry Lauderbaugh, of Auburn, WA.  Fresh off a win from last week’s tournament, Barry wanted to show that his victory was not just luck, so he came out smoking hot and shot a remarkable 37 on the front.  This gave Barry a 3-shot lead over Jerry Browning.  Even with Barry struggling on the back nine, no one was able to make up enough ground to catch him.  Barry once again came out the champion, shooting an 83.  Jerry finished in 2^nd place, just 2-shots behind.  Brian Wimer and Kevin Merulli finished tied for 3^rd place, both shooting 88.    

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) – The Sarazen Flight had the closest race for the day.  Don Harrell, of Bothell, WA, made the turn in the lead with a 43.  He had a 2-shot lead over Cindy Merritt and Susie Berg.  As the ladies made a charge on the back, Don remained steady.  But Cindy Merritt, of Seattle, WA made up too many shots.  Both Cindy and Don finished tied in 1^st place with rounds of 86.  Going into a playoff on the 1^st Hole, Cindy was still hot from her back nine and was able to get up-and-down to save a par, and clinching another victory.  This was also Cindy’s 2^nd victory of the season.  Susie Berg finished in 3^rd place with an 88. 

Jones Flight (16.0-19.9) – The Jones Flight had a clear leader after the front nine, with Sean Brushett, of Snohomish, WA shooting an exciting 39.  Sean had a 6-shot lead making the turn over Ray May.  With half the flight improving on the back side, no one was able to catch Sean, who ended up shooting an 85 to become champion.  This was Sean’s first victory of the season.  Ray finished in 2^nd place with a score of 94.    

Top Finishers and Payouts

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

Palmer Flight

83-Jon Gunnison ($140 and Trophy)

Hogan Flight

83-Barry Lauderbaugh ($135 and Trophy)

85-Jerry Browning ($70)

88-Brian Wimer ($50)*

Sarazen Flight

86-Cindy Merritt ($150 and Trophy)*

86-Don Harrell ($90)

88-Susie Berg ($60)

Jones Flight

85-Sean Brushett ($135 and Trophy)*

94-Ray May ($50)

Optional Skins Results:

Group 1 (Palmer/Hogan) 

#7 – Barry Lauderbaugh ($50)

#8 – Paul Goff ($50)

#12 – Joel Larson ($50)

#13 – Joel Larson ($50)

#17 – Jim Howie ($50)

#18 – Kevin Merulli ($50)

Group 2 (Sarazen/Jones) 

#1 – Don Harrell ($51)

#7 – Sean Brushett ($51)

#8 – Jim Fisher ($51)

#9 – Sean Brushett ($51)

#10 – Sandy Jeghers ($51)

#13 – Jason Jenniges ($51)

#16 – Jason Jenniges ($51)