Scott R Chilcutt, Blanco, TX (May 26, 2018)
Vaaler Creek Golf Club sits just north of the small, eclectic town of Blanco along the Blanco River and has been home to the Battle at Blanco for five years running
on the Hill Country Tour.
This go-round, both weather and course conditions cooperated, especially the fast greens we saw the first year we came to the complex.
The winner of the Feherty's Troops First Foundation 50/50 raffle, took home $520, bringing the Texas Tour events total to $12,490 contributed to the Foundation in 2018.
RESULTS:
Championship Flight: Robert Lippert, of Copperas Cove, TX, was three back making the turn, but added a couple of birdies on the back to force extra holes with Spring Branch, TX, member Mark Miller. Back to the course, Lippert, a winner in 2017 at Vaaler, couldn't keep up with Miller, who carded a birdie for his first win in Blanco since 2015. First-time player Jacob Davis of Cibolo, TX, with the help of a birdie on the par 5 - 16th finished one stroke back of the pair to round out the top three.
Palmer Flight: Fort Worth, TX, resident Kirk Boerner, was two strokes back after the front side, of Mike Harkins of Cedar Park, TX. Harkins, with two birdies and -1 on the front, got into to trouble on the final two holes, to open up the sudden death with Boerner. Back to the par 5 - 10th, it would take a birdie to advance, with Boerner, picking up his sixth win of the season. One stroke back, San Antonio, TX, member Ron Finnerty, took home the final podium spot.
Hogan Flight: Playoffs continued the theme of the day with the third in as many flights to come to the clubhouse. Houston, TX, member John Harcrow, back of Rick Smalley of College Station, TX, by two strokes making the turn, battled back to force extra holes. Back to the par 5 - 10th, Smalley, would prevail, for his third win of the season. First-time Pflugerville, TX, player Brian Markert, finished one stroke back, with the help of a birdie on the par 4 - 5th.
Senior Hogan Flight: Austin, TX, player Allan Collier, took a two-stroke advantage to the back nine, but like the three flights before him, let it slip away on the back. Steve Wade of Boerne, TX, with seven pars after making the turn, finished just one stroke clear for his second championship in as many attempts, his third of the season and fourth on tour. Collier, a winner in the fall, finished one stroke clear of third-place finisher, Will Whitley of Cypress, TX, with a birdie on the par 5 - 8th.
Sarazen Flight: Jay Mills of Driftwood, TX, found himself six strokes out of the lead heading to the tenth hole but battled his way back to the top for his fourth win on tour and second of the points season. Two strokes back, San Marcos, TX, member Tommy Mobley, with a birdie on the par 5 - 16th, took home the runner-up spot, with CD Dunem of San Antonio, TX rounding out the top three.
Senior Sarazen Flight: In a continuation of the tale of two nines, Boerne, TX, player John Maywald, four strokes back making the turn, made the most of a birdie on the par 4 - 14th for his second win on tour, both coming this season. Randy Helcel of Lott, TX, grabbed the second place finish, with Leander, TX, member Steve Hamilton taking the showplace finish.
Jones Flight: Despite a triple of the final hole, the par 4 - 18th San Antonio, TX, member Phil Lewis, overcame a three-stroke deficit at the turn to pick up his seventh win on tour and fourth of the year. Fellow San Antonio, TX, resident, Larry Harper, grabbed the runner-up finish two strokes back, with David Garcia of New Braunfels, TX, rounding out the top three.
Snead Flight: Playing in his first year of the tour, Jack Iglesias of Killeen, TX, picked up his first Championship. Iglesias, back on stroke head to the tenth, made the most of a par 4 on the final hole for the three-stroke advantage over Midland, TX, resident Paul Ray. Jennifer Grothaus of Abilene, TX and San Antonio, TX, member Gene Hanley, shared the third place spot.
SKINS:
GIANT SKINS: ($120/each) 1 -- John Harvell, Bryan, TX; Gary Grizzle, San Antonio, TX; Mike Harkins, Cedar Park, TX; Rene Realme, San Antonio, TX; Mackie Crossan, Abilene, TX.
Champion/Palmer: ($50/each) 1 -- Robert Lippert, Copperas Cove, TX; John Harvell, Bryan, TX; Gary Grizzle, San Antonio, TX; Mike Harkins, Cedar Park, TX; Rene Realme, San Antonio, TX.
Hogan: ($40/each) 2 -- Brian Markert, Pflugerville, TX. 1 -- Rick Smalley, College Station, TX; Ronnie White, College Station, TX; Servando Perez, Cedar Park, TX.
Senior Hogan: ($130/each) 1 -- Kirby Rogers, Muldrow, OK; Kyle Lewie, Waco, TX.
Sarazen: ($45/each) 1 -- C.D. Dunem, San Antonio, TX; Judy Harris, Abilene, TX; Tommy Mobley, San Marcos, TX; Xavier Bardy, San Antonio, TX.
Senior Sarazen: ($20/each) 2 -- John Maywald, Boerne, TX; Mackie Crossan, Abilene, TX. 1 -- Randy Helcel, Lott, TX; Steve Hamilton, Leander, TX.
Jones/Snead: ($120/each) 1 -- Randy Adcock, Austin, TX; Mike Lee, Dallas, TX; Paul Ray, Midland, TX.
CLOSEST TO THE HOLE:
$150/each: #5 - Mike Harkins - 0' - 3"; #9 - Jim Price - 5' 11 1/2"; #12 - Larry Harper - 5' 2"; #15 - Rusty Lippert - 3' 1".
NEXT UP:
Dallas Tour - June 1st is the registration deadline for the first time Granbury Classic at Harbor Lakes Golf Club on Saturday, June 9th.
Hill Country Tour - Avery Ranch, hosts the summer Classic - Round Rock on Sunday, June 3rd SOLD OUT and CLOSED. Lighthouse Country Club, in Kingsland, TX, will open up the Texas Open weekend at Horseshoe Bay on Friday, June 22nd. Spots still available with registration closing on Friday, June 15th.
Houston Tour - Next up, The Woodlands Open, the home of the Insperity Invitational on the Champions Tour, on Monday, June, 11th. SOLD OUT, waiting list spots still available.
Major Championships Open for Registration - (Majors that will be included in the 2018 Texas Tour Flight Champion year-end awards)
Texas Open at Horseshoe Bay - June 23-24th. SOLD OUT, waiting list spots available.
Hill Country Classic at La Cantera - July 7th and 8th. SOLD OUT, waiting list spots available.
Texas Classic at Barton Creek - July 28th - 29th. Spots available.
For More Information:
Scott R Chilcutt
Director - Texas Tours
Dallas Tour - Hill Country Tour - Houston Tour
GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour
405.513.1467
