NATIONAL GOLF GRAPHICS
PRO-AM
EVENT PARTNERS
(John Dahmen, John Knoll, Justin Bates and Conan Fink)
The Wisconsin PGA Four-Player Pro-Am Series would make its 2025 debut on Monday with the National Golf Graphics Pro-Am. Another sold-out field of 29 teams helped celebrate the kickoff to the season. The season-starter would venture back to a familiar spot. After hosting the first pro-am of the season for numerous years in the 90s and 00s, West Bend CC would play host once again.
This year’s National Golf Graphics Pro-Am format again featured the always fun net stableford team game. Teams would have to be on top of their game as the format would take the top 3 net scores for the group on each hole. The point system awarded 1 point for a net bogey, 2 points for a net par, 4 points for a net birdie, 6 points for a net eagle and 8 points for a net double eagle or better.
Although the format certainly plays into a go for broke mentality, the players had to hold back a bit on Monday. Gusty winds and the always challenging Langford and Moreau designed layout were ready to bite back at errant and misplayed shots.
The event champions however powered through those obstacles, and every player was able to contribute to the winning score. John Knoll, John Dahmen, Justin Bates and Conan Fink would pile up 153 stableford points on the way to victory. Knoll would kick in four natural birdies, Dahmen six net birdies and a net eagle, Bates four net birdies and a net eagle, and Fink four net birdies and a net eagle.
The winning score was good enough to win by three points over the home squad led by Jim Kelly.
It marks the second time in the past year that Knoll has led his team to a four-player pro-am win.
In addition to the win the team also earned a coveted spot in the Oliphant Golf Management Pro-Am Championship. Claiming the other two available spots were Kelly and the third-place finishers led by Dan Hastreiter.
The day also featured low amateur, low professional, low senior professional stableford events and some proxy contests on the Par 3s.
Claiming the wins were:
Low Professional Contest – Cody Strang – 41 Points
Low Senior Professional Contest – Mark Voeller & Brian Zinda – 36 Points
Low Amateur Contest – Brian Sprinkman & Joe Abruzzo – 49 Points
Closest to the Pin #4 (Pros) – Jim Kelly
Closest to the Pin #8 (Pros) – Rob Elliott
Closest to the Pin #13 (Amateurs) – Dave Halverson
Closest to the Pin #17 (Amateurs) – John Piotrowski
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A big thank you once again goes out to Peter Meyer and National Golf Graphics, along with the American Family Insurance Championship. With their help we were able to put together another fantastic day, with plenty of bells and whistles to go along with the standard pro-am offerings.
We’d also like to express our appreciation to everyone at West Bend CC. The course was in great early season shape and the club always is a gracious host of Wisconsin PGA events.