We want to give a BIG thank you to Drew at X-Golf for sponsoring our first major of the year. His generous contribution added $500 to the prize purse. If you want to get your simulator on, go check them out in Ellisville on Manchester.
X-Golf of Ellisville Website
Another thank you to Josh and the whole staff at Crystal Highlands (including the guard dog, Lulu). You guys operate like a well well-oiled machine, and we appreciate your help and hospitality.
Crystal Highlands Winners
Champ Flight – Bryce Faulkner
Entering the first major tournament of the year at the beautiful Crystal Highlands Golf Club, we witnessed a tale of exceptional skill and pure ball striking. Bryce Faulkner, a newcomer in his first year, carries the momentum of his previous tournament victory into this grand event. Starting strong, Faulkner strings together a series of pars and punctuates his front nine with two remarkable birdies on the sixth and eighth holes, resulting in an impressive score of 36. Notably, last year's points champion, Chris Pestka, matches Faulkner shot for shot, displaying his own mastery with a flawless 36 on the front, 9 straight pars. He was trying to beat that Mother Faulkner.
Moving to the back nine, Pestka opens with a fantastic birdie and adds three pars, an eagle, and another birdie to complete his first round with a back nine score of 36, totaling 72. Great opening round score. Bryce also secures birdies on the tenth and fourteenth holes and sprinkles in three more pars. That concluded his back nine with a score of 39 and a cumulative score of 75. Consequently, Pestka holds a three-stroke lead heading into the final round.
The last round commences with both players hitting impressive drives down the fairway, setting the stage for an exhilarating battle. Pestka secures four pars on the front nine and adds a birdie on the eighth, resulting in a score of 40 at the turn. Bryce encounters a minor setback with a bogey on the first hole but bounces back with a solid birdie on the short par four. He followed that up with back-to-back birdies on the fifth and sixth holes, finishing the front nine with a score of 36, seizing a one-stroke lead.
Pestka fights hard down the stretch, notching three pars and a great birdie on the fifteenth. However, a couple of unfortunate bogeys open the door for Bryce. Pestka concludes his round with a back nine score of 42, totaling 82. Bryce continued to elevate his game on the last nine holes, securing six pars and a birdie, resulting in a back nine score of 37 and a resounding cumulative score of 73. With a commanding lead of six strokes, Faulkner secures his second consecutive tournament victory, propelling him to the top of the points race.
Amidst this grand battle of camaraderie and fierce competition, we extend our congratulations to Bryce for his remarkable victory. Now let’s see if he can Three-Peat.
A Flight Winner – Orson Lewis
In their quest for their first tour victory, first-year members Orson Lewis and Doug Godier set forth on the challenging path at the esteemed inaugural major tournament of the year. These two skilled golfers, renowned for their consistent performances, aimed to break through in this highly anticipated event. Orson initiated his round by meticulously deciphering the treacherous green complexes, gradually finding his rhythm and sinking crucial putts. With two pars on the front nine and a splendid birdie on the challenging par 3 ninth hole, Orson concluded the front half with a commendable score of 41, joining Mike Petty in a shared lead at the turn. On the other hand, Doug encountered a slightly shaky start but swiftly regained his composure, showcasing his trademark steadiness. With two pars on the front and a cumulative score of 44, he trailed the leader by a mere three strokes.
Undeterred by the mounting pressure, Doug maintained his composed performance on the back nine, consistently executing pars on every hole, firing an exceptional score of 36 and an impressive total of 80. Therefore, he secured a one-stroke advantage heading into the climactic final round of the major. Orson, too, showcased his prowess on the back nine, stringing together a series of skillful golf shots, also achieving six pars, giving Orson a final score of 81, placing him just one stroke behind the leader, Doug Godier.
As the final round unfolded, Doug demonstrated a respectable display of golf, improving his scorecard with a solid birdie on the fourth hole, resulting in a front nine score of 42. Orson, determined to leave his mark, commenced the round with an impressive string of four pars and two birdies, culminating in a front nine score of 38 and propelling him into a three-stroke lead. In the final stretch of nine holes, both players valiantly battled for supremacy. Doug regained his momentum, scoring four pars down the stretch and seizing a birdie on the twelfth hole, which contributed to his impressive clubhouse score of 39, totaling 81. Alas, it proved insufficient to overpower the resilience of Mr. Lewis. Demonstrating unwavering determination, Orson tenaciously secured an additional five pars on the back nine to seal his victory. With a back nine score of 40 and a cumulative total of 78, he emerged victorious by a margin of two strokes.
This triumphant achievement signifies Orson's inaugural win on the Golfweek Amateur Tour, propelling him to a coveted position atop the A Flight points standings. The battle between these skilled competitors within one of the most fiercely contested flights leaves no room for doubt about the caliber of their performances. Heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Lewis on his well-deserved entry into the winner's circle. This victory truly elicits tremendous elation and admiration.
B Flight Winner – Jon Bossaller
The B division of the Golfweek Amateur Tour treated us to a remarkable spectacle, culminating in one of the most thrilling conclusions we have witnessed. Among the participants, Paul Wilson, a first-year member, sought to post an impressive score and seize his maiden victory on the tour. Wilson played some consistent golf, recording three pars on the front nine, concluding his front nine with a score of 44. Earl Mason, fresh off his win at Tapawingo, aimed to start up a winning streak. Earl demonstrated his skillful play on the front nine, tallying three pars and a pivotal birdie on the ninth hole, resulting in a matching score of 44 at the turn. Meanwhile, Jon Bossaller emerged as the frontrunner, courtesy of his composed performance, securing a couple of pars and a delightful birdie on the eighth hole. These accomplishments placed Jon in the clubhouse at the halfway point with a score of 43, granting him a slender one-stroke lead.
Transitioning to the back nine, Jon bolstered his position by adding two more pars and another birdie, maintaining his competitive edge with a score of 44 and a cumulative total of 87, three strokes clear of the pursuing pack. Earl continued his solid play, making a couple of pars and an impressive birdie on the back nine, that gave him a solid score of 42 for the second nine and a cumulative total of 86, trailing the leader by a mere two strokes.
Paul Wilson, the incumbent leader, embarked on his final round with determination. Despite encountering a minor setback on the opening hole, Paul swiftly regained his composure, stringing together a series of pars to preserve his advantage. As he reached the turn, Paul sat tied for the lead with Earl Mason, both with a score of 44. Navigating the challenging back nine, Paul Wilson showcased his resolve, securing three pars to conclude his round with a score of 44, resulting in a total of 88.
Earl Mason, on the other hand, demonstrated unwavering determination during the back nine, punctuating his performance with two pars and two birdies, seemingly poised to claim victory. Earl completed his final round with an impressive score of 41, bringing his cumulative total to 83. Meanwhile, Jon Bossaller, who had been tirelessly grinding throughout the season, maintained focus on his quest for his first victory. Jon exhibited his prowess, accumulating four pars on the closing stretch of the back nine. However, it was on the 17th hole, a challenging par three across the water, where the magic unfolded. Jon, trailing by two strokes with two holes remaining, approached the tee box with steely determination. Selecting an 8 iron, he addressed the ball, unleashing a shot that sailed 158 yards through the air in utter silence, with precision, the ball landed on the green and gracefully made its way towards the hole. And then, in a moment of pure brilliance, Jon Bossaller achieved the extraordinary—a hole-in-one. This remarkable feat propelled him to victory, securing the tournament by a single stroke. It was an unparalleled climax, as Jon celebrated his first victory on the Golfweek Amateur Tour, accompanied by the glory of his first hole-in-one. Truly, a weekend of extraordinary magnitude for Jon B., a deserving and exceptional individual.
Such captivating narratives remind us of the immense allure and unfathomable possibilities that golf offers. Congratulations to all the participants for their great efforts, but a special shout out to Jon B. for his outstanding achievement. Also, our new B flight points leader!!
C Flight Winner – Scott Nishimura
Scott Nishimura, last year's victor in the C flight points standings, has begun to exhibit a formidable surge in form. Following his win in the previous tournament, he set his sights on achieving consecutive victories. Scottie commenced the two-day major event with an impressive performance, amassing three pars and a birdie, resulting in a score of 43 at the turn. Meanwhile, Thomas Pursley, a newcomer to the C flight, aimed to make a resounding impact. Tom embarked on his quest determined, capitalizing on a crucial birdie on the third hole and securing three additional pars to conclude the front nine with a solid score of 39. Although he encountered a couple of bogeys on the back nine, he demonstrated resilience by adding some crucial pars, concluding the back side with a score of 47, ending his round with a total of 86.
Scott displayed his strong game on the back nine, amassing four pars and executing some crucial saves to secure bogeys. He concluded the back nine with a score of 42, aligning with Tom's cumulative total of 86. Additionally, out-of-town participant Ron Allen and second-year member Kevin Reed were hot on their heels, both concluding their first rounds with scores of 88, just two strokes behind the leaders.
As they entered the final round, the competition at the top remained fiercely contested. A gripping battle unfolded between Scott N. and Ron Allen. Ron started his final round in splendid fashion, delivering an impressive birdie and adding three more pars on the front nine, allowing him to seize the lead with nine holes remaining, attaining a score of 41 at the turn. Scott, who also began the final round with a strong statement, securing a par on the challenging starting hole, a par-5. With a series of pars and no worse than a bogey, Scottie approached the final nine holes, sharing the lead with Ron.
As the competition intensified, it witnessed a seesaw battle between the two contenders. Scottie encountered back-to-back double bogeys, creating a wide-open opportunity for his adversary. However, it was on the 15th hole that Scottie displayed an exceptional performance, elevating his game to the next level. Concluding his final four holes with pars, he completed the back nine with a score of 44, resulting in a final round total of 88, narrowly surpassing Ron Allen by a single stroke. This win marks Scott's 9th career victory on the Golfweek Amateur Tour and signifies his second consecutive win this season. The thrilling contest, which unfolded down to the wire, exemplifies the essence of a remarkable competition. Heartfelt congratulations to Scott "Boom Boom Stick" Nishimura for emerging as the victor.
D Flight Winner – Ralph Louis
Fresh up from the Arkansas tour, esteemed member Ralph Louis embarked on the STL tour with the intention of assessing his skills against the D Flight's distinguished competitors. Ralph started his round with an awe-inspiring display, amassing three pars and consecutively securing birdies on the eighth and ninth holes, making the turn with a score of 40. Meanwhile, Terry Halker, a first-year participant, showcased his remarkable talent with an exceptional performance, marking one of his finest showings on the tour thus far. Terry valiantly battled throughout the front nine, notably achieving a par on the challenging par-3 fourth hole. Terry concluded the front nine with a score of 50.
Transitioning to the back nine, Terry exhibited remarkable resilience, delivering clutch bogey saves to remain firmly in contention. On the other hand, Ralph continued to demonstrate unwavering determination, maintaining his aggressive approach to distance himself from his fellow D Flight competitors. Ralph accumulated three additional pars and another birdie, surging ahead with an impressive 12-stroke lead heading into the final round.
As the final round unfolded, it became evident that catching up to Ralph Louis would require a significant effort. Terry Halker elevated his performance on the second day, starting with four pars and preventing any score worse than a double bogey. Terry completed the front nine of the final round with a commendable score of 44. Meanwhile, Ralph, while still exhibiting solid play, experienced a slight regression. At the turn of the final round, Ralph arrived at the score of 48, allowing the field to close the gap.
During the final nine holes, Terry sustained a solid performance but encountered a couple of setbacks. Ultimately, his back nine score of 46 gave him a total of 90, which was the low round for the day in his flight. It proved insufficient to catch up to Ralph Louis and his substantial lead established on the first day. Ralph concluded the second round with three pars down the stretch, amassing a total of 92 to secure a triumphant victory at the Crystal Highlands Golf Club major event. Ralph's achievement stands as a testament to his exceptional skills, while the other participants in the D Flight showcased commendable performances.