Here are the final results of the 2023 NALG Championship.
From left to right are the Divisional Winners: Championship - Jon Kelley, Open - David Burzyck, Senior - Lane Hawkinson, Masters - Mike Kemppainen, Grand Masters - Jack Ruhs
From left to right are the Divisional Winners: Championship - Jon Kelley, Open - David Burzyck, Senior - Lane Hawkinson, Masters - Mike Kemppainen, Grand Masters - Jack Ruhs
| 2023_nalg_scores.pdf |
Thanks to NALG President Sid Miner and wife Keli for organizing this event.
Kelley Successfully Defends Championship Title
Kokomo Indiana's Jon Kelley successfully defended his NALG Championship title this weekend at the Avondale Golf Course in Hayden Lake, Idaho. It was Kelley's third straight win. Kelley fired three straight rounds of 79 to win by nine strokes over course member Eric Dalton. Dalton shot the best round of the tournament in the Championship Division in the last round to edge around NALG President Sid Miner who held second place beginning the day. Dalton's 74 included two birdies in his one-under back nine score of 36 to make the comeback. Depending on the time of year, Miner resides in Indiana, Montana and Florida.
The tournament got off to a wet start with rain throughout most of Friday's initial round. Many players were seen using their rain gloves. The rain also made the course play longer. The Championship Division players had to contend with three long par fours on the front nine each measuring about 415 yards. Hole #11 played 455 from the back tees. The par-5's were basically unreachable in two and with two short par 3's and a few short par 4's, the yardage played much longer than the posted 6563 yards. Kelley managed the first of his 79's in the rain to open up a big lead that was sufficient to withstand a comeback attempt from Miner. Miner got within five strokes in the last round before recording a double-bogey on the 218 yard 8th hole. He went on to record five bogeys on the back nine to allow Dalton to overtake second place.
Most players found the greens difficult to read. They were poa annua greens that were in great shape with good speed. A slight misread resulted in a missed putt.
In the Open Division, Florida's David Burzyck captured his first title. Burzyck who was runner-up last year in the Senior Division recorded three consistent scores of 83, 80 and 86 for his 249 total that was 14 strokes better than British Columbia's Patrick McGuire.
In the Senior Division, Oregon's Lane Hawkinson won the division by 20 strokes with scores of 83, 77 and 78 for a 238 total. Second place went to Texan Todd Ziegler with 258.
In the Master Division, Washington's Mike Kemppainen defeated British Columbia's Erv Froese by six strokes. Kemppainen had scores of 83, 69 and 77. His 69 in the second round was the low round of the tournament. In his final round 77 he aced the 128 yard 12th hole. Look for his hole-in-one photo in the 2023 NALG Pictures album.
In the Master Division Flight 2, Michigan's Ron Schipansky beat fellow Wolverine Ted Kramer by four strokes.
In the Grand Master Division, Florida's Jack Ruhs won easily with his scores of 78, 80 and 78 for a total of 236. Second place went to British Columbia's Thomas Milne with 275.
New this year was the addition of a Net Division. All players with a USGA Handicap competed in this division. Flight winners and runners-up were not eligible for a second prize. This helped spread the prizes around allowing for 22 of the 33 players to earn a prize. Top Net honors went to British Columbia's Cory Ross with 227 and Florida's Jim Mason with 228. All four British Columbia players took home prizes.
Special thanks to the Avondale Golf Club and staff for a great time!
Closest to Pin Winners:
Friday: Don Lightburn, Richard Mathis, Mike Kemppainen and David Burzyck
Saturday: Ted McGraw, Ben Hagins, Frank Hunter and Todd Ziegler
Sunday: Patrick McGuire, Ben Hagins, Mike "Ace' Kemppainen and Lane Hawkinson
Kokomo Indiana's Jon Kelley successfully defended his NALG Championship title this weekend at the Avondale Golf Course in Hayden Lake, Idaho. It was Kelley's third straight win. Kelley fired three straight rounds of 79 to win by nine strokes over course member Eric Dalton. Dalton shot the best round of the tournament in the Championship Division in the last round to edge around NALG President Sid Miner who held second place beginning the day. Dalton's 74 included two birdies in his one-under back nine score of 36 to make the comeback. Depending on the time of year, Miner resides in Indiana, Montana and Florida.
The tournament got off to a wet start with rain throughout most of Friday's initial round. Many players were seen using their rain gloves. The rain also made the course play longer. The Championship Division players had to contend with three long par fours on the front nine each measuring about 415 yards. Hole #11 played 455 from the back tees. The par-5's were basically unreachable in two and with two short par 3's and a few short par 4's, the yardage played much longer than the posted 6563 yards. Kelley managed the first of his 79's in the rain to open up a big lead that was sufficient to withstand a comeback attempt from Miner. Miner got within five strokes in the last round before recording a double-bogey on the 218 yard 8th hole. He went on to record five bogeys on the back nine to allow Dalton to overtake second place.
Most players found the greens difficult to read. They were poa annua greens that were in great shape with good speed. A slight misread resulted in a missed putt.
In the Open Division, Florida's David Burzyck captured his first title. Burzyck who was runner-up last year in the Senior Division recorded three consistent scores of 83, 80 and 86 for his 249 total that was 14 strokes better than British Columbia's Patrick McGuire.
In the Senior Division, Oregon's Lane Hawkinson won the division by 20 strokes with scores of 83, 77 and 78 for a 238 total. Second place went to Texan Todd Ziegler with 258.
In the Master Division, Washington's Mike Kemppainen defeated British Columbia's Erv Froese by six strokes. Kemppainen had scores of 83, 69 and 77. His 69 in the second round was the low round of the tournament. In his final round 77 he aced the 128 yard 12th hole. Look for his hole-in-one photo in the 2023 NALG Pictures album.
In the Master Division Flight 2, Michigan's Ron Schipansky beat fellow Wolverine Ted Kramer by four strokes.
In the Grand Master Division, Florida's Jack Ruhs won easily with his scores of 78, 80 and 78 for a total of 236. Second place went to British Columbia's Thomas Milne with 275.
New this year was the addition of a Net Division. All players with a USGA Handicap competed in this division. Flight winners and runners-up were not eligible for a second prize. This helped spread the prizes around allowing for 22 of the 33 players to earn a prize. Top Net honors went to British Columbia's Cory Ross with 227 and Florida's Jim Mason with 228. All four British Columbia players took home prizes.
Special thanks to the Avondale Golf Club and staff for a great time!
Closest to Pin Winners:
Friday: Don Lightburn, Richard Mathis, Mike Kemppainen and David Burzyck
Saturday: Ted McGraw, Ben Hagins, Frank Hunter and Todd Ziegler
Sunday: Patrick McGuire, Ben Hagins, Mike "Ace' Kemppainen and Lane Hawkinson