Sunday we traveled through security gates and checkpoints onto Scott Air Force Base to play Cardinal Creek Golf Course. While an Air Force runway and flight line may not be the typical backdrop for a golf course, our players managed to put the distractions aside and play some solid golf for the first round of the playoffs.
Division 1 saw John Todd return to the winner’s circle for the first time since Persimmon Woods. John finished his day with a birdie on 18 en route to an even par 72. Tyler Fieser and Nate McCutcheon finished the day with solid finishing nines on their way to rounds of 2 over par 74. With the win John Todd moves into the lead in the player of the year standings. Followed by Brett Newton and Matt Borgmeyer, who are both within striking distance with the increased point totals in the playoffs.
Following his strong showing at Tamarack, Mike Petty found himself holding the Division 2 trophy at the end of the day at Cardinal Creek as well. A 2 over par round of 74 was enough for Petty to hold off Greg Shepherd as he finished 1 shot back with a round of 75. Michael Mervis and David Adams finished tied for third with rounds of 77. Steve Hasenfratz still holds on to the points lead in Division 2, followed by Kevin Erxleben. However they have some hard chargers making the push as we approach the end of the season.
Division 3 was a tight race for the day with the top 7 finishers within 4 shots of the lead. Finishing on top of the leaderboard was Ronald Polillo with a round of 78. One shot behind Polillo, Ray Morales and Darin Smith finished with rounds of 79. Still holding on to a slight lead in the Player of the Year standings is Michael Konuch. But with a t-4 finish on Sunday, Simay Souvannarath moved to within 130 points of Konuch, with Aaron Gulley just behind that.
After failing to secure the win in Division 4 in the playoff at Tamarack, Eric Willingham came back strong at Cardinal Creek and managed to hold off John Cordeal on the second playoff hole to get his first win of the season. Willingham and Cordeal finished regulation with rounds of 85. Jason Stone continued his solid 2020 campaign with a third place finish and an 87. Jason Stone holds tightly to his lead in the Player of the Year standings, with Cory Criter and Mike Scalera both just over 500 points behind.
Division 5 also headed to extra holes at the end of the day, with three players deciding they wanted in on the action with rounds of 87. Curt Meyer, Jim Seibert, and Sysco Deuanephenh all made it past the 19th and to the 20th hole of the day before Sysco came away victorious, for his first win of the season. Jesse Baumann and Albert Orelt finished tied for fourth with rounds of 90. With his win on Sunday Sysco moved himself into the top 4 in the Player of the Year standings, but Sysco, Lauren Borgmeyer, and Greg Coburn are all trying to track down the surging Jesse Baumann as he tries to keep his distance from the rest of the pack.
Just a few more days before we head to Southside Country Club in Decatur Illinois. This classic country club features tree lined fairways, and small, slick, undulating greens for a great test of every aspect of golfing skill. Be sure to get your spot in the field as the points and prizes increase, and all of the season long points races are up for grabs.