We had a great tournament at The Biltmore on Saturday! The course was in great shape and I think everyone had a great time. As odd as this may sound, the atmosphere at The Biltmore is both relaxing (carefree) and exciting (you know you’re in for a treat as soon as you arrive).
We had a full field and quite a few low scores. After a rough start, Jim Weick played nearly flawless golf, posting a 73 to win the Championship Flight. Jim birdied 13 and 15 to play the back nine in 1-under par. Although he came up a few strokes short, Oscar Rafols may have had the most exciting round of the day, holing out for eagle from about 50 yards on the 4th hole and also posting four birdies. Unfortunately, he also found trouble on several holes, taking a triple and two doubles for 75 and second place in the Championship Flight.
The Palmer Flight again proved to be a battle between Gene Johnson and Paul Roseth. Both players made the turn at just two over, then Johnson took a quick two stroke lead, making birdie on 10 while Roseth took bogey. While Roseth managed to even the score on the 12th, Johnson managed to take a one stroke lead into the 18th. Johnson then closed it out with a par on 18 for 79 and a two-stroke victory. Hanging close, but never quite catching up, Michael Stout finished 3rd with an 82.
In the Hogan Flight, Terry Willie had a very strong front nine, making the turn at just two over par 37. Even so, he only held a thin two-stroke lead over Randy Bryant. Ultimately, it proved to be sufficient, as both golfers had 46 on the back, giving Willie an 18-hole total of 83 to Bryant’s 85. Stephen Hagerman finished third at 87. Vincent Mancini was the big skins winner in the Hogan Flight, pocketing $140 for his birdie on 18. While Mancini also birdied #7, so did Kenny Patterson. Multiple players also birdied the 1st, cancelling each other out so that Mancini’s birdie on the 18th was the only skin.
In another close match, Karin-Joyce Tjon and Torrence Mack battled it out for 18 holes in the Sarazen Flight. While Tjon looked like a sure winner after 16 holes, she ran into trouble on the 17th and Mack evened the score. Tjon was able to recover nicely, though, making par on the 18th while Mack bogeyed. Tjon finished at 82 and Mack at 83. Ken Rush finished third with an 85.
Ivan Marin added to his trophy collection in the Jones Flight, shooting 88 and edging Roger Halphen by three strokes. Marin had his three stroke lead at the turn and while Halphen threatened, every time he gained a stroke, Marin took it back. Tony Maroon finished third at 92. In the side games, Lino Rojas made the only birdie in the Jones Flight and pocketed $180 for the skin. It was a nice surprise for Mr. Rojas, though. A friend and fellow pilot entered Rojas in the side games without his knowledge.
In the Snead Flight, Rick Waldie had a five stroke lead on Glen Garth and six strokes on John Methvin after nine holes. Neither Methvin nor Garth were willing to concede, though. Both players clawed their way back to within a stroke of Waldie at different points on the back nine. Waldie had the better game at the end, though, finishing bogey, bogey par to win at 90, three strokes ahead of Methvin. Garth finished another stroke back at 94.
Thanks to everyone who participated and made this such a competitive event – and thanks to the staff at The Biltmore who handled all the details perfectly! We will definitely go back at The Biltmore again soon!
See you on the course!
Jeff
