OVGA Amateur Golf Tour

Today’s tournament at The Willows was arguably the toughest test in golf in the history of the OVGA.  No players were under net par for the first time in an OVGA event since April 12, 2008 at Elks Run.  That round was played in mid-40 degree temps with rain and wind.  Today’s round was in the high 60s with wind and some wet spots from last night’s rain, but the course proved to be a monster.  The average score for the entire 55-player field was 100.9 (Eagle - 88.9, Birdie - 97.5, Par - 114.9).  Only two players played to even par with the rest of the field above par.  Let’s get to the results.

IN THE EAGLE FLIGHT

Five players held a share of the lead over the first nine holes of the tournament but Mark Murphy, who won last week at Sharon Woods, held a share of the lead for all nine holes and made the turn with a one shot lead over Matthew Sehnert, Tab Nelson and Darin DePew at even par.  Sehnert would draw even with Murphy and the two would co-lead until Sehnert grabbed the lead on the 13th hole.  Murphy fell a shot back and would get no closer the rest of the way.  Sehnert’s lead would grow to 3 shots thru #15, but the man known more for heckling hockey players than hitting golf balls was making his move.  Kevin Gadker, aka The Heckler from Hell at Cincinnati Cyclones games, was two shots back after #16, but a birdie on the 17th hole, followed by Sehnert’s triple bogey gave Gadker a 2 shot lead heading to the finishing hole.  Gadker’s net par on the 537-yard par 5 was enough to hold off Mark Murphy by a shot and claim his first OVGA Tour victory in his first tour event.

1.  Kevin Gadker - 73 (83)

2.  Mark Murphy - 74 (82)

3.  Matthew Sehnert - 75 (84)

IN THE BIRDIE FLIGHT

Michael Frank burst out of the gate leading for the first eight holes, but a double bogey on #9 opened the door for Harry Bradley to grab a 2 shot lead at the turn at -3.  Bradley maintained his 2 shot lead thru the 12th hole, but a string of four straight net bogeys eliminated Bradley from contention.  Owen Warner would hold a share of the lead on the 13th hole, but a net birdie by Cy Zibrik moved the Columbus resident into the lead after 14 holes.  Zibrik’s lead would get to two shots after the 15th hole, but Doug Chalk was making a run at the leader.  Chalk got to a shot back after 16 holes and remained there as they Zibrik and Chalk headed to #18.  Chalk’s net par would tied him with Zibrik at net 72 (E) as they went to the first OVGA Playoff of 2009.  Both would record net bogey on the #1 handicapped hole before Chalk would record the victory with a net birdie on the #2 handicapped hole.

1.  Doug Chalk - 72 (86)  *WON IN PLAYOFF

2.  Cy Zibrik - 72 (89)

3.  Owen Warner - 75 (88)

IN THE PAR FLIGHT 

We already saw from Kevin Gadker in the Eagle Flight that sometimes your first event might be your coming out party.  That sure looked to be the case for Jeff Scroggin who held a share of the lead on each of the first nine holes of his OVGA career.  Scroggin would head to the turn with a 1 shot lead at -2 net.  However the 420-yard par 4 10th hole would prove a problem for Scroggin whose net double bogey allowed Anthony Eckinger to tie at even par.  Scroggin would fall off the lead on #11 as Michael Fischer replaced him in the tie with Eckinger.  Fischer would take a 2 shot lead after 12 holes, but Scroggin would storm back to take the lead after 14 holes at -2.  Scroggin would stumble on #15 which allowed Michael Fischer to grab a 4 shot lead following a net birdie.  Fischer would tee off on #18 holding a 3 shot lead over Eckinger at -1.  He would putt out having lost the lead and now heading to a playoff with Matt Johnson who was 4 shots back at the start of the hole.  Johnson’s net par got him into the playoff and his net birdie on the first playoff hole was enough to claim his first OVGA Tour victory.

1.  Matt Johnson - 75 (99) *WON IN PLAYOFF

2.  Michael Fischer - 75 (101)

3.  Anthony Eckinger - 76 (105)

The OVGA TOUR returns to action next Sunday at The Vineyard for Round 2 of the Great Parks Championship.  Charles Johnson currently holds a 1 shot lead over Steve Waterhouse at -7. 

Deadline for entry at Vineyard is Monday at noon.  Only 64 spots are available for this tournament.