On the weekend of August 21, Chippewa Golf and Country Club held its annual two-day Mens’ Club Championship.

The weather threatened a bit of rain, and its promise held true on Saturday, but there were no downpours and no interruption in the day’s action. 

The field was divided into four flights based on handicaps, and although the overall goal was to win the ultimate title of Club Champion, players with higher handicaps were just as eager to win the championship title within their flights.  Several previous club champs were in the field, hoping to notch another win on their belts. 

Players, such as defending champion Brian Acton, Rick Grolway, who has won the title several times, Rob Beitz, Jerry Thomson and Sam Ryder were all in the hunt for the big prize, as well as others who had come close before, including Derryl Urstadt, Hugh Morrison, Bruce Towner, Curtis Taylor and newcomer Todd Zadow.

All of the above players were in the championship flight, and after nine holes on Saturday, Zadow had the early lead with an even par 35, having carded 3 birdies and 3 bogies on the front nine.  Jerry Thomson and Sam Ryder were only two strokes behind after nine with 37s, and past winners Acton and Beitz were in the game with 38s.

The back nine however, proved difficult for most players, and after the first day of play, Zadow had a four-stroke lead with a one over par 73.  Derryl Urstadt, who began his game with a 40, shot even par on the back nine for a 77, four strokes off the pace, and Acton was also at 77 and within striking distance of the leader.  Sam Ryder was still in the game with a 78, as were several others.

As the saying goes, it’s a two-day tournament and anything can happen on the second day.

 'B' Flight

In the B-flight, Dale Woods took the lead after eighteen holes of play with a score of 80, but Terry Bailey was only one stroke back with an 81.  Mike Pitzen and Ron Caudle were still in the game, but off the pace by 7 strokes and would need a strong finish on Sunday to threaten Woods or Bailey.  In the C-flight, Tom Bailey was the leader after the first day with a score of 92.  Bill Lazenby was only two strokes off with a 94 while Steve Green carded a 95 to stay close.  Lorne Lazenby, Mike Fitzmaurice and Mike Cleary all had a tough first day, scoring 97, but still in the hunt if they could have a good second day.

 'D' Flight

In the D-flight, Jiggs Maynard shot 93 to take the lead after the first day, with Lloyd Kibler four strokes back at 97.  Bill Richards was a distant third at 101.  On the second day of play, Maynard was steady with a score of 94, winning first low gross and the D-flight Championship with a two-day total of 187.  Lloyd Kibler had a great round of 87 on the second day of play and won the overall Low Net Championship for the tournament with a net two-day score of 130.  Bill Richards shot 99 on the second day, good enough to win first low net with a two-day net score of 140.  Charlie Schmalz won second low gross with a two-day total of 148, and Bill Streeter won second low net in the flight with a two-day net score of 143.

 'C Flight'

In the C-flight, Lorne Lazenby began his second day of play with five pars in a row, and completed the front nine with a 38.  Bailey struggled on the front nine, carding a 48 and falling out of the lead, while Bill Lazenby shot 42, gaining six strokes on Bailey but falling one stroke behind his younger brother after nine holes.

Steve Green also shot 48 on the front nine and needed to recover on the back nine to capture the C-flight title.  Lorne Lazenby went on to shoot 84 on Sunday, good enough to win the C-flight Championship with a two-day total of 181.  Bill Lazenby won second low gross with a two-day score of 189.  Tom Bailey captured first low net in the flight with a two-day net score of 140, while Mike Cleary won second low net with net total of 156.

 'B Flight'

In the B-flight, Woods continued his strong play from Saturday, shooting 84 for a two-day total of 164, and winning the B-flight Championship title.  Terry Bailey and Barry Beatty were tied for first low net in the flight with a two-day net score of 141, and after a one-hole playoff, Bailey claimed the first low net title.   Mike Pitzen matched his Saturday score of 87 on Sunday and won second low gross with a two-day total of 174, while Barry Beatty won second low net in the flight.

 

'A Flight'

In the A-flight, from which the overall Club Champion is usually found, Jerry Thomson shot 37 on the front nine, gaining a stroke on Zadow who carded a 38.  Derryl Urstadt fell back a stroke with a 39, and Acton lost two strokes having shot 40.  Moving into the back nine, Zadow had a five-stroke lead over Urstadt, his nearest competitor, and while Urstadt had a great back nine of 39, the five strokes was too much to overcome.  Zadow was 40 on the back nine for a 78 on the day, and was declared the 2010 Chippewa Club Champion with a two day total of 151.  Derryl Urstadt won first low gross in the flight with a two-day total of 155,

followed by Brian Acton, who shot 79 on the second day for a two-day total of 156.  Rick Grolway had a one-under par 36 on the back nine on Sunday, winning first low net with a net total of 142, while Jerry Thomson won second low net with a net score of 144.

 Congratulations to Todd Zadow, the 2010 Chippewa Club Champion.