Experts in the game and business of golf

Wisconsin PGA

5 days ago

The coveted Manuel de la Torre Trophy was the focus again on Monday, as the WPGA Pro-Assistant made its annual appearance on the tournament calendar. It was a beautiful day for golf as a large field of 97 WPGA professionals ventured to Minocqua Country Club to enjoy the day.

The players were in for a treat as the Northwoods gem would be hosting the Pro-Assistant for the first time.

The competition would again feature two divisions of play.

Earning the win in the traditional division was the Ozaukee Country Club team of Jason Rasmussen and Jake Wisniewski. The twosome would claim the top spot among the 56 teams in that division. Teams were made up of a head professional, director of golf, or individual in general management and an assistant professional, from the same club

The winning squad would card a 7-under-par 65 better ball score and hold off five teams by one shot.

It marked the fifth time a team has won from Ozaukee Country Club, this being the first title since 1971.

In the second division of play it would be The Oaks Golf Course team of Shaun Finley and Joe Leonard getting the victory. They also carded a 7-under-par 65. Teams in the second division were required to have two WPGA golf professionals that work for the same company, but do not fall under the traditional division job classifications.

A big thank you goes out to Bushnell Golf, the Wisconsin State Golf Association and the PGA TOUR for their sponsorship of Monday's event.

We'd also like express our gratitude to Minocqua Country Club for being a gracious host. The course was in terrific shape and the club rolled out a great after play meal.

Recap & Results - wisconsin.pga.com/news/a-magical-pro-assistant-performance-from-the-oz-aukee-duo/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Wisconsin PGA

2 weeks ago

The stage was set for a trio of the top players in the Wisconsin Section to battle it out for the Wisconsin PGA Professional Championship title on Tuesday. After opening with a bogey-free 6-under-par 66 in round one, Michael Crowley would take a one-shot lead into the second and final round on Tuesday at the Links Course at The Golf Courses of Lawsonia.

His nearest pursuers just happened to be the two individuals that won the last three championships, Mick Smith and Jamie Christianson.

Over the course of the day the threesome would all share the lead. They'd stay tightly bunched throughout, and until the final putt dropped it was anyone's title to win.

With just three holes to play Crowley would hold a one-shot lead over Smith and was two clear of Christianson.

However, Crowley's first misstep of the tournament would come from a tough three-putt on the difficult par-16th, closing the gap.

Just as the door was cracked open, Crowley quickly closed it on the very next hole.

From the left-hand rough he would hit the pin with his second shot from 62 yards out. The near hole-out would result in a short birdie putt, which he would convert. Once again, the 53-year-old would have a one-shot lead.

The shot would turn out to be the difference as he would post rounds of 66 and 69, for a 9-under-par 135 total.

Good enough for a one-shot win over Smith and Christianson.

Finishing in fourth place was David Bach of Whistling Straits at 5-under-par 139. He would card the low round of the day with a 5-under-par 67.

Ryan Helminen, Andy Hansen and Brian Brodell would share fifth place at 2-under-par 142.

Crowley, Smith, Christianson, Bach and Helminen will represent the Wisconsin PGA at the 2024 PGA Professional Championship in Frisco, Texas next spring.

As for Crowley he adds the WPGA Professional Championship win to an already impressive summer. This year he has finished second at the Wisconsin Senior PGA Professional Championship, a tie for third at the Wisconsin State Open, a tie for fourth at the Wisconsin State Senior Open, and two victories at one-day WPGA stroke plays.

The WPGA would like to thank both our presenting and supporting sponsors of the 2023 WPGA Professional Championship. With their help and support the the WPGA was able to present a terrific championship once again.

We would also like to express our gratitude to everyone at The GC’s of Lawsonia. The facility along with Oliphant Golf Management is always a willing host of the WPGA events.

Presenting Sponsors: Club Car, Corebridge Financial & ROLEX
Supporting Sponsors: Titleist, FootJoy, TaylorMade Golf, Callaway Golf & Nike
Supporting Partners: Gallagher, PGA TOUR & The Golf Channel

Photos Credits - Jim Kelsh & Wisconsin.Golf along with the Wisconsin PGA Staff

Results Summary & Full Recap - wisconsin.pga.com/news/crowleys-game-shows-no-flaws-at-lawsonia/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Wisconsin PGA

2 weeks ago

Day one of the WPGA Professional Championship is a wrap. It was an exciting day of fireworks on the course, as the field threw plenty of birdies at the Links Course at The Golf Courses of Lawsonia.

Leading the way after the first round of play is Michael Crowley with a 6-under-par 66. The Morningstar Golfers Club head PGA professional posted a bogey free round that included four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 5th.

Sitting just one shot back are the champions from the past three years. Both Jamie Christianson and Mick Smith are right on Crowley's heels after solid rounds of 67.

In fourth place currently is Andy Hansen at 3-under-par.

Crowley, Christianson and Smith will make up the final group on Tuesday. They'll hit the course at 10:18 am.

Presenting Sponsors: Club Car, Corebridge Financial & ROLEX
Supporting Sponsors: Titleist, FootJoy, TaylorMade Golf, Callaway Golf & Nike
Supporting Partners: Gallagher, PGA TOUR & The Golf Channel

Results - wiscpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/wiscpga23/event/wiscpga2345/contest/1/leaderboard.htm ... See MoreSee Less

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Wisconsin PGA

2 weeks ago

The fun continues!!!! ... See MoreSee Less

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Wisconsin PGA

2 weeks ago

ICYMI - The WPGA tournament schedule had double action on Tuesday. In addition to the first round of the Wisconsin State Senior Open, the Wilson Golf Pro-Am visited The Legend At Bergamont.

It was the first time the WPGA Four-Player Pro-Am Series visited the Madison area in 2023. Twenty-six teams came out to enjoy the day.

Finding their way to the top of the leaderboard was the Washington County Golf Course foursome of Craig Czerniejewski, Dave Halverson, Tim Halverson and Craig Podlesnik. They would card an impressive 21-under-par 123 score for a one-shot victory over the Ridgeway Country Club team of Nate Pronschinske, Sean Schwab, Dave Battermann and Bill Verbrick.

Leading his team to the team win was Czerniejewski. The Oak Creek native would make eight birdies and an eagle during his round. His 8-under-par 64 was good enough to deliver him 44 stableford points.

Host PGA General Manager Jeff Ellingson would earn the top senior professional spot with 32 stableford points.

A great deal of gratitude goes out to Wilson Golf for jumping on board in 2023 to support this event and the Spring Pro-Ladies.

We'd also like to thank everyone at The Legend At Bergamont for their efforts to present a great day for the attendees.

Results & Full Recap - wisconsin.pga.com/news/czerniejewski-carries-his-weight-on-the-way-to-wilson-pro-am-win/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Wisconsin PGA

3 weeks ago

The 39th Wisconsin State Senior Open came to a close on Wednesday afternoon at Maple Bluff Country Club

Going into the second and final round the leaderboard was tightly bunched. Eleven players would start the day within five shots of the lead.

After opening with a 3-under-par 68, Middleton native Derek Stendahl was set up to be the man to beat on Wednesday.

The former UW-Whitewater golfer would play steady throughout the day but never could extend his lead. As he piled up the pars, Eau Claire native Tony Rohlik would be on the move.

Starting three shots back the Southwest PGA Professional would card a 3-under-par 33 on the front nine. He'd quickly enter in the mix. The two would stay neck and neck throughout the back-nine until Stendahl reached the par-4 16th and Rohlik the par-4 17th.

A two-shot swing would ensue as Stendahl would bogey the 16th and Rohlik would roll in an 11-foot birdie putt on the 17th. The swing would give Rohlik a one shot lead, which he would not relinquish.

In the end Rohlik would card the low round of the tournament with his 4-under-par 67. Giving him a 4-under-par 138 total.

After carding an even-par round on Wednesday, Stendahl would finish at 139.

Finishing in third place at even-par 142, was low amateur and Sparta native JT Johnson.

The Wisconsin PGA would like to once again thank our trio of sponsors for the Wisconsin State Open Series. The Suter Ward Group At Morgan Stanley, Sentry and TaylorMade Golf play a key role in enhancing our championships and we are truly appreciative of that.

We'd also like to express our gratitude to the staff and members at Maple Bluff Country Club. The club is always a willing host and they made sure all the attendees were given a great experience.

Photos Credits - Jim Kelsh & Wisconsin.Golf along with the Wisconsin PGA Staff

Results & Full Recap - wisconsin.pga.com/news/rohlik-rallies-from-behind-to-secure-senior-open-title/ ... See MoreSee Less

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