2016 Club Champs (left to right) Jason Whitehill, Howie Tiger and Ronnie Decker
Howie Tiger won the 2016 PebbleCreek Men’s Golf Association Club Championship by one shot over defending champion Bill Volm with a gross score of 222. The club championship was conducted on February 11, 17 and 18 with the first and final rounds played at Eagle’s Nest and the middle round played on the Palms/Lakes Course at Tuscany Falls.
Howie, the 2014 club champion, also faced stiff competition from other previous club champions, Jack Schafer (2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013) and John Krasnan (2008).
Throughout the three day tournament, the scores were close. Howie led by one after the first round and Bill led by one after the second round. Both were tied after 14 holes in the final round when Howie birdied the 15th hole to take a one shot lead. Bill barely missed his par putt on the 16th giving Howie a two shot lead.
On the 17th hole, a par 3, Howie hit his tee shot within five feet. Then Bill hit it close as well. Bill poured in his birdie putt and so did Howie. On the final hole both missed the green in regulation. Howie chipped first leaving him a 12 foot downhill putt for par. Bill needed to chip in for birdie to force a possible playoff but came up just short. Howie then just needed to two-putt and made bogey for the win.
A total of 108 players competed. The championship flight was played from the black/blue mixed tees. Flights two, three and four played from the blue tees. Flight five played from the white tees.
Low Gross Winners:
Championship (first) Flight: 1st place Howie Tiger, 2nd place Bill Volm and 3rd place Jack Schafer
Second Flight: 1st place Jim Wolff, 2nd place Dean Bass and 3rd place (tied) Joe Little and Bob Schimelpfening
Third Flight: 1st place Hal Kerber, 2nd place Wolf Penz and 3rd place Dave Willison
Fourth Flight: 1st place Michael Molinari, 2nd place Chuck Gustafson and 3rd place Randy Clements
Fifth Flight: 1st place Frank Simons
Low Net Winners:
Championship (first) Flight: 1st place John Krasnan and 2nd place Rick Horst
Second Flight: 1st place Duane Hagstrom, 2nd place Mike Burke and 3rd place Joe Svoboda
Third Flight: 1st place Ken Miller and 2nd place (tied) Nick Castiglione, Paul Parker and David Savage
Fourth Flight: 1st place Ray Measles, 2nd place Jerry White and 3rd place Rick Evans
Fifth Flight: 1st place Michael Scherer, 2nd place Dennis Thelen and 3rd place Ron Olberding
The PCMGA thanks Jason Whitehill, Ronnie Decker and Dave Vader for their terrific job checking and posting scores as well as handling rules questions. Also, thanks to the Food & Beverage staff for a great meal after the final round.
Congratulations to all the winners!