(Jim Schuman, Dale Van Dam, Ryan Beaty & Jim Kellogg)
Earlier this week the 2018 WPGA Scottsdale Pro-Am came to a close, as the week featured plenty of fun and camaraderie. The trip marked the fourth year in a row and sixth overall that the Wisconsin Section has ventured to the Scottsdale for their fall trip. This year’s group of sixty players got the chance to enjoy the Big Wick course at Wickenburg Ranch, Raptor Course at Grayhawk GC and the Pinnacle course at Troon North GC.
When all the scores were tallied it was the team of Jim Schuman, Dale Van Dam, Jim Kellogg and Ryan Beaty taking home the top prize. The Blue Mound G&CC and Desert Mountain foursome captured two daily wins en route to the title, including an impressive five shot victory on a windy and tricky day at Troon North GC on Wednesday. The one net one gross best ball win on that day was the deciding factor as they entered the final round trailing the Golf Galaxy Mark Voeller squad by two shots. Overall the first place team was able to finish with a 54 hole total of 33-under-par 403, good enough for a seven shot win. Finishing in the runner-up position was the Wisconsin Club team led by Tom Burton.
The 54-hole event also featured low professional stableford contests each day. Taking home the wins each day were Jake Wisniewski (Rd 1 – Wickenburg Ranch – 25 points), Michael Crowley (Rd 2 – Grayhawk Raptor – 29 points) and Jim Schuman (Rd 3 – Troon North Pinnacle – 19 points).
In addition to the standard team and low professional contests the event also had a few extra highlights. For the second season in a row the event witnessed two hole-in-ones in the event competition. The first of which came on day one at Wickenburg Ranch, when Westmoor CC member Dave Raysich made his ninth hole-in-one in his life on the par-3 4th. Carding the second ace of the event was North Shore CC’s Jake Wisniewski. The assistant professional knocked one in on the par 3 6th hole from 178 yards.
Helping add some additional fun onto the event was an optional Par 3 shootout on the Lil Wick course at Wickenburg Ranch. Nine teams from the event took advantage of the opportunity to have a little fun after their event round wrapped up on Monday. Taking home the top prize in the 2 best ball handicapped event was the team of Doug Mortola, Travis Frea, Scott Brooks and Curt Johnson. Helping seal the deal on their win was Brooks as he carded a hole-in-one on their final hole of play.
A big thank you goes out to Troon North GC, Wickenburg Ranch and Grayhawk GC for hosting this year’s event. The courses provided a great variety of desert golf and were well received by the attendees.
The WPGA would also like to thank adidas Golf and Matt Flaten for supporting our trip. With their help the players took home a great gift package that was put to good use by several of the participants throughout the week.