80 golfers started on Monday competing for the 1st major of the year and guaranteed entry to the 2019 National Championship in Hilton Head later this year.  In most flights there was a lot of volatility at the top and most first day leads were not safe.

In the Championship Flight, Mark Hodges hangs on to claim victory.  Mark shot an opening round of 74 (+2) and a second round of 79 (+13) to win by 2 shots over a trio of golfers. Ken Powers who made a great comeback on Day 2.  Ken's opening round of 82 left him 8 shots back of the leader but a second round of 73 (+1) vaulted him into 2nd place. Matt Wiley from the Michigan tour, who is traveling the southern states playing in many events while he awaits his Michigan schedule to kick off, jarred his second shot on hole 18 for Eagle and jump into 3rd place.  Matt shot 80-75 (155) over the two days.  Brian Swenson continues his strong play early in the season as he learns our Charlotte area courses takes home 4th shooting 2 consistent rounds of 77-78 (155) to claim 4th.  Rounding out the top 5 was Jerry Sennett with score of 81-76 (157).

In the A Flight, this was a battle all day with the final group.  This was the only flight where the top 4 on day 1 remained the top 4 after the second round was completed.  The top 2 was decided on the final 2 holes.  Scott Ide had a 2-shot lead with only 2 to holes to go, but a triple bogie on the difficult par 4, 4th hole erased the 2 shot lead where he and Jim Goulding would go to their final hole tied.  Jim then makes birdie on the final hole to claim victory by one over Scott.  Goulding shoots 76-80 (156) over the two days.  Ide takes second with scores of 76-81 (157).  Jerry Evans takes home third after winning the scorecard playoff over Billy Poteat, both players shooting 79-81 (160).  5th place went to Jeff Hughes who shot 85-85 (170) and won a scorecard playoff over Johnny Moffett who shot the same two scores.

In the B Flight, we had a come from behind winner.  Toby Tyler (162) shoots a great final round of 79 to come from 5 shots back to win by 1 over Ron Gburek whose 2 days total was 163.  Third place went to Joe Cannatti (169) who again came from behind with a final round score of 84 to climb a few places to get int he money.  Kevin Thomas (169) struggled a bit on Sunday but was still able to hold onto 4th place.  Rounding out the top 5 was Sam Carpenter with a 2-day total of 171 who beat out Rob Geilhausen with a better 2nd day score.

In the C Flight, two newcomers take 1st and 2nd place respectively.  Both Steve Johnson and Dennis Guerriero shot 2-day totals of 171, but Johnson wins using the 2nd day score tie-breaker.  Third and 4th had to be settled using the next set of tie break conditions after Russell McDonald and Sindo Mayor both tied at 174.  Since both players shot the same 2nd day score, we had to go back to our handicap hole tie breaker which McDonald won.  Rounding out the top 5 was Jay Cascio with aa 2-day total of 176.

Thanks to everyone who came out as we had our largest field of the year.  Our next event takes us up North of Charlotte to Davidson, NC where we will be playing River Run CC. 

Thanks

Phil