MEMORIAL CLASSIC &
WAGPA STROKE & MATCH
EVENT PARTNERS
The WPGA kicked off its competitive schedule for the month of May with WAGPA Stroke & Match Play and the WGSA / WPGA Memorial Classic on Monday at Wild Rock GC. Both events were helped made possible by the support of the Wisconsin Golf Salespersons Association and OMEGA Watches.
The day featured 70 professionals teeing it up and several of the WGSA members joining along for some fun in the sun. The 9:00 a.m. shotgun start featured 33 assistants playing in their own 18-hole stroke play that also doubled as seeding for the yearlong WAGPA Match Play. While a group of 37 Wisconsin PGA members participated in the 18-hole Memorial Classic. Each pairing in the Memorial Classic also was competing in a lighthearted 1 net best ball event that featured one or two WGSA members on each squad.
For the second straight year the day took on a greater meaning as it brought together the WPGA and WGSA communities to honor the people that we lost over the past year that were connected to the organizations. A day filled with golf and camaraderie was a fitting celebration of the lives of these dearly missed individuals. In the spirit of the event the WGSA offered a $1,000 donation to the WPGA Junior Foundation in tribute to Monday’s honorees.
On the course the title for the Memorial Classic was another closely fought competition. Taking home the victory by one shot was Naga-Waukee GC PGA Teaching Professional, Kurt Mantyla. The Appleton native was able to post a 3-under-par 69 to hold off Jim Schuman. Helping propel Mantyla to the win was a impressive stretch of four straight birdies on 13-16. For the win Mantyla was able to pocket the $1,100 first place prize check.
On the assistants side of the stroke play event it was Chad Sandee of The Bull at Pinehurst Farms getting the job done. The victory took a little extra work for Sandee as he defeated Kraig Joy with a birdie on the sixth playoff hole. The duo tied in regulation with 2-under-par 70s as they were the only assistants to break par on Monday.
Also set for Monday afternoon was the first round of the WAGPA Match Play. The one on one contests produced little drama as the higher seed in 13 of the 16 matches survived elimination with a victory. The assistants that are still standing will have approximately one month to complete each of the remaining rounds until the WAGPA Match Play champion is decided in the early fall.
The Wisconsin PGA would like to thank the WGSA and their officers Mike Warren, Dave Denoyer and Ron Hurab for their continued support of these great events. Their participation and contribution to the day goes a long way to making sure all the attendees enjoyed their day at Wild Rock GC. A big thank you also goes out to OMEGA Watches for helping support the day.
A great deal of appreciation also goes out to Wild Rock GC and their staff onsite. Since reopening in 2008 the club has hosted several Wisconsin PGA events and also been a very gracious host.