2015 CLUB CHAMPINSHIP RESULTS

With 67 entries, the 2015 Club's Championship had one of the largest fields ever, if not the largest, since it has been held at stroke play. The field was divided into seven flights, six for men and one for women who had the smallest field.

Before I go into the results, I am happy to say that we have a bunch of great guys playing in Elk City who display true sportsmanship and character. Remember that I often say that golf, more than building character, reveals it? Well, it does.

Take for instance Bart Reece, a former Vietnam veteran and relatively new senior golfer who started playing the game only a couple of years back in order to spend more time with his buddies. Bart opened with a 136 and turned his scorecard, unapologetic, even if a little upset at himself for not having done better. He knows, "a score does not maketh the man". It's only a game. Next day, his goal was not to win his flight but to shoot in the 120's, and almost did with a gusty 131. My hat's off to you buddy!

At another level, take Jordan Williamson, we have a talented golfer who shot himself in the foot with a finish of triple, triple for an opening 78, which put him a distant thirteen shots back, without much hope for Sunday. Nevertheless, like Bart, Jordan came back and finished what he started. Unapologetic, and on Sunday afternoon, just before tee time, you would have never guessed, by his attitude (smiling, enjoying himself and with self confident attitude), that he was so far back. Like with Bart, my hat's off to you as well! Over the years I had grown used to not seeing a guy the next day after a bad round, but not in Elk City, where I have been pleasantly "re-educated" in that area.

I'll tell you this folks, there are a couple of things here, one, golf is something you do, not who you are. It is still only a game. And two, these are two people who know that. I want guys like these on my team any time: people who enjoy the game, people who every day want to do better and people who never give up. I have many examples like these in Elk City, including Joby, our champion, who just a few weeks ago, came in last in the Championship Flight in the Elk City Shootout, never finding his way around the course. Thank you guys, you and all Elk City, for making golf better for everyone!

Back to the weekend...

After Saturday's round, Joby Gray, who a few days before had happily declared "I'm back" after a practice round of 61 (yes, sixty one!) -he had not been playing to his standards all summer, thus his statement-, opened with a 65, a score that made a strong statement about who was the man to catch on Sunday. Joby led by three over Aaron Kauk who had a 68 which included a double bogey on #14 and by four over persistent Andrew Albert who managed a 69 despite some putting inconsistency. At even par 71 was Rusty Wilson, and at 73 was Joby's former high school buddy and teammate, Berek Dyson, and as we described above, Jordan who opened with a 78.

On Sunday, if there was ever a doubt of who would be in control, it was erased after the opening hole when Joby made birdie to increase his lead. No one got closer than four shots after that, and after a 66, Joby won by nine over Andrew Albert who closed with a 70. Aaron never had his game going on Sunday and slipped to fourth after Berek Dyson closed with a 75 and a 148 total to take third.

In the Women's Flight, Ann Cowan opened with a 78 and Dayva Spitzer with a 79. At 83 was Haley Gunkel who has not played much in the last months, and whose putting was, according to her own statement, "Horrible!". Kinsley Hall had 89 and Sierra Stout 96. On Sunday, Ann closed with an 82, opening the door to Dayva, whose problems started when she lost a ball on her fourth hole and never recovered. The best round on Sunday belonged to Kinsley Hall who bettered her Saturday round by 12 to close with a 77 and second gross. First net was Haley Gunkel with a total of 144. Sierra closed with a score of 100 and a 152 net total.

This year, we had "Co-Champions" in the Senior Flight. Craig Martin, the third consecutive year in first place, even if this time it is shared and Jeff Donaghey. They both finished with 154's.

The other flights are as follow:

"AA"
Champion: David Poole (69-70); Second Gross, Tyler Windsor (76-70)
Net: Brandon Thomas 67-59 (*), Kaleb Keith 65-65

"A"
Champion: Brad Spitzer 78-77; Second Paul Gunkel 81-76
Net: Jack Christian 66-66; Tom Gilliland 71-65

"B"
Champion: Greg Dodson 79-85; Robert Lakey 83-83
Net: Craig Phelps 68-67; Brad Harguess 67-70

"C"
Champion: Kim Jordan 83-84 (**), Roger Redd 84-83
Net: Roy Garrison 68-68, Terry Jordan 74-75

"D"
Champion: Greg Minter 85-81, Don Murphey 92-94
Net: Mike Proctor 61-62, Mike Carlucci 72-67









"Young Seniors"
Champion: Jeff Donaghey 73-81; Brad Spitzer 78-77
Net: Mike Proctor 61-62, Greg Dodson 64-70

"Mid-Seniors"
Champion: Craig Martin 79-75; Ronnie Smith 79-85
Net: Jack Christian 66-66, Don Murphey 67-69

"Super-Seniors"
Champion: Tom Gilliland 82-76; Bob Miller 79-84
Net: Craig Phelps 68-67; Robert Lakey 69-69

(*) Brandon Thomas had his best ever round with a 68, which with his 9 handicap gave him a 59 (congrats!!!)

(**) Kim won in a sudden death playoff against Roger Redd.


ADDITIONAL NOTES:
1 - We had several juniors play in the championship, and I want to thank all of those adults who played with these youngsters and who helped us teach them manners, sportsmanship and great attitude with your actions and by the way you treated them!

2- Lost i the crowd, octogenarian, Grady Lantz, who beat his age by three in the opening round with a 79, was forced to quit his second round by his friends when he had a problem with the afternoon heat. Grady wanted to continue, but was threatened that an ambulance would be called. Another example of perseverance and a fighting heart.... not to mention TALENT! Grady, you are a champion, no matter what!

3- Because of the above, we will make some changes in the scheduling of Sunday tee times for this event next year, splitting times between morning and afternoon.