(Eric Suemnicht, Kollin Kroener, Kyle Kroener & Mitchell Listau)
The 2024 Wisconsin PGA pro-am season came to a close on Monday. Just as it has the past eight years, the season finale would visit The Links Course at The GC’s of Lawsonia for the Oliphant Golf Management Pro-Am Championship.
Although each of the eight previous editions have been memorable. This year’s may hold the distinction of having the best weather to date. With temps in the lows 80s, very little wind and plenty of sunshine, the attendees were blessed with summer esque conditions.
The twenty-nine foursomes that teed it on Monday had to once again earn their way into the field. Over the course of the season there were nine opportunities to qualify, the eight regular season four-player pro-ams and the WPGA Summer Pro-Ladies. The final few teams to round out the field were made up of sponsor invitations.
Taking its turn in the championship format rotation and being featured this year was the Team Stableford format. The format would take the top 3 net scores for the group on each hole. Awarding 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.
Throughout the day several teams would fight for and hold the lead. It certainly was anyone’s title to win until late in the round, when it became apparent that the Bishops Bay CC squad of Kyle Kroener, Eric Suemnicht, Kollin Kroener and Mitchell Listau were just too good on this day.
Their team total of 170 stableford points was just a few points behind the record total in this format since the WPGA started utilizing it 16 years ago.
Par 5 performance is always key in this format and the winning team excelled in that area. They piled up 72 points on the par 5s over the course of the day, with six natural birdies and two eagles on their scorecard.
Finishing in second place 10 points behind the Bishops Bay squad was the John Knoll led team of John Dahmen, Seth Sneider and Justin Bates.
The perfect conditions would factor into the low pro games too. A professional had to crack 70 to have a chance at cashing in the side contest.
Setting the pace in the low pro stableford was Brian Brodell and Michael Crowley with bogey-free 8-under-par 64s. Their impressive play would help them accumulate 52 points.
As with the past events, the day featured several enhancements courtesy of Oliphant Golf Management. One of those was the closest to the pin contests. Taking home the prizes on the par 3s were:
#4 – Joe Leonard
#7 – John Knoll
#10 – Jason Hatch
#12 – Heidi Hinners
#14 – Khris Barber
In addition, they also provided some great raffle prizes for a random draw among the amateur participants. Jessie Gulden, Jason Hatch, Tom Kilvinger, Scott Perry and Jeff Wolf all took home some new merchandise via the raffle.
Once again a great deal of appreciation goes out to everyone at Oliphant Golf Management and The GC’s of Lawsonia. The staff and club always takes pride in showcasing the Links Course on this day. The newly renovated bunkers and terrific course conditions certainly caught the eye of all the attendees.