News
archives from 2006
Tom Litzler wins Runny Nose
November 2006
With the mercury reaching for 60º, "Old Tom"
Litzler won the 2006 Runny Nose Open on Saturday, November 25th at
Harbor Club GC in Belleville. It was easily the warmest Runny Nose
tournament to date. Litzler was comfortably able to continue his
unique streak of wearing shorts to every Mulligan Tour event that he has
ever participated in. He converted 5 birdies against just 4 bogies
and was the only player in the field of 11 members to break par.
The key to his 1-stroke win over Russ Butler may have been the natural
birdies made each time he played hole #3.
2006
Runny Nose Open FINAL RESULTS
Team West wins 2nd
Commissioner's Cup
October 2006
The 2nd Commissioner's Cup matches were held at the
Legacy Golf Club on October 6 and 7. The defending Central team
had 7 returning members from a squad that took the first Cup 16 to
8. But the West team, with 5 new members, jumped out to a 7 to 1
lead after the Friday afternoon matches and then held on to win 14 ½ to
9 ½ on Saturday.
Team West was led by 3 Tour rookies. Thom Bales
(4-0-1), Bob Bruning (3-1-1), and Tom Moran (3-1-1) had just completed
their first seasons on Tour. Bales had earned the spot on the team
by ranking 3rd on the Western division Money List. Bruning and
Moran were Captains picks - and they validated Captain Persichetti's
choice. The 3 players were involved in 11 ½ of the 14 ½ points
won. And, remarkably, each won his singles match to secure the Cup
on Saturday afternoon.
Team West - 2006
Commissioner's Cup winners
(back row from left: Bob Baar, Thom Bales, Erik Meland,
Bob Bruning, and Dan
Schwartz.
Front row: Tom Moran, Rick Persichetti, and Carol Koch)
Ersig takes TOUR Championship
Dennis Ersig beats the Tour's best at
Inkster Valley
September 2006
In a war of attrition, 2nd year pro Dennis Ersig carded
5 net birdies to offset some of the bogies and double bogies that were
so plenty at Inkster Valley Golf Club. Ersig finished at 5-over
par 77 to win the 2006 TOUR Championship by a stroke over David Martin.
The elite field of 10 players took on the longest course
layout in Tour history as Inkster Valley played to 6,709 yards.
The average net score among the 10 was 83.9 strokes.
Ersig finished his sophomore season with 8 top-4's in 12
starts and pocketed $130.20 in prize money ranking 5th on the final 2006
Money List. Captain Greg Kline is hoping that Ersig continues to
play well in October as Team Central prepares to defend the
Commissioner's Cup at the Legacy.

Dennis Ersig - 2006 TOUR
Champion
2006 TOUR Championship FINAL
RESULTS
|
1
|
77 (+5)
|
Dennis Ersig $50
|
2
|
78 (+6)
|
David Martin $35
|
3
|
80 (+8)
|
Tom W. LItzler $25
|
4
|
82 (+10)
|
Kelly Arnold $15
|
5
|
83 (+11)
|
Bob Baar $10
|
T6
|
85 (+13)
|
Bob White $2.50
|
T6
|
85 (+13)
|
Rick Persichetti $2.50
|
8
|
86 (+14)
|
Greg Kline
|
9
|
90 (+18)
|
Dan Schwartz
|
10
|
92 (+20)
|
Erik Meland
|
Persichetti and Arnold win division
titles
September 2006
Rick Persichetti won the
WESTERN Championship on Saturday, September 2nd, at the Grande Golf Club
in Jackson. The West division commissioner was the only player in
the elite field of top-20 money winners to finish under par. He
sprinkled 7 birdies around the 6,443 yard layout of the Grande and
survived the slick greens to win by 5-strokes over Thom Bales.
Double bogies at the 14th and 16th holes kept Bales from closing in on
Persichetti. Jeff Kellstrom and Erik Meland finished tied for 3rd.
FINAL STANDINGS 2006 WESTERN
Championship
|
1
|
71 (-1)
|
Rick Persichetti $48
|
2
|
76 (+4)
|
Thom Bales $36
|
T3
|
78 (+6)
|
Jeff Kellstrom $18
|
T3
|
78 (+6)
|
Erik Meland $18
|
5
|
79 (+7)
|
Bob Baar
|
6
|
82 (+10)
|
Bob White
|
T7
|
83 (+11)
|
Joe Castmore
|
T7
|
83 (+11)
|
Tom W. Litzler
|
9
|
84 (+12)
|
Jeff Klipa
|
10
|
85 (+13)
|
Carol Koch
|
11
|
96 (+24)
|
Terry Baar
|
Kelly Arnold just qualified
for his first PLAYERS Championship, ranked 20th on the Central money
list, but made the most of his opportunity. The rookie from
Southgate led the field with 6 birdies at Whispering Pines GC and kept
division commissioner Greg Kline from winning his 5th straight major
title. Arnold jumped up to 3rd on the Central money list and
qualified for the TOUR Championship and the Commissioner's Cup.
FINAL STANDINGS 2006 PLAYERS Championship
|
1
|
72 (+1)
|
Kelly Arnold $48
|
2
|
77 (+6)
|
Greg Kline $36
|
3
|
79 (+8)
|
Tony Viviano $24
|
4
|
85 (+14)
|
Dennis Ersig $12
|
T5
|
87 (+16)
|
Barb Randle
|
T5
|
87 (+16)
|
Tom Hoelzle
|
7
|
88 (+17)
|
Dan Schwartz
|
Kline and Bruning win Skins Games
August 2006
Greg Kline, the Central
division Commissioner, needed 4 extra holes to eliminate Ray Collins
from the $32 carry-over skin and win the 2006 Central Skins Game.
Kline won 4 skins in all worth $44. Erik Meland finished 2nd with
3 skins worth $16. Collins and Dave Randall tied for 3rd, each
winning 3 skins totaling $10.
Playing in his first Skins
Game, Bob Bruning won 3 skins, including a $12 skin on the 8th hole and
a $24 skin on the 14th hole, to finish with $38 and the 2006 West Skins
Game title. Thom Bales finished 2nd after winning the final skin -
a $32 jackpot setup on the 18th hole after 3 carry-overs. He
totaled $34 from 2 skins. Rick Persichetti finished 3rd after
winning 2 skins for $8. Tom W. Litzler was shut out.
Bob Baar wins Big Dog
August 2006
Bob Baar rallied on
Willow Metropark's back nine to claim the 2006 Big Dog Pro-Am - his 3rd
title this year. An eagle on the finishing hole completed a
5-under par 30 on the inward nine that sent Baar to a 3-under 68 and a 2
round total of 136. Hi pro-am partner, like many in the field, was
Tiger Woods who shot a 68 in the 2nd round of the PGA Championship.
The win gives Baar, a 4th
year pro from Livonia, his best season on Tour. He ranks 3rd
overall ($125.50) and 3rd on the west division money list ($85.50).
Top-4 finishers at the 2006 Big Dog Pro-Am
|
1
|
68-68 - 136
|
Bob Baar $32
|
2
|
68-71 - 139
|
Kelly Arnold $24
|
3
|
68-75 - 143
|
Dan Schwartz $16
|
T4
|
68-76 - 144
|
Dennis Ersig $4
|
T4
|
68-76 - 144
|
Tom Moran $4
|
Dennis Ersig grabs the gopher
August 2006
Dennis Ersig won the 2006
Anchor Conveyor Caddyshack Classic at the Links at Lake Erie with a
record setting performance. A personal best gross 79 netted a
10-under 62 and a 4-stroke win over former Caddyshack champs Chris Drake
('05) and Erik Meland ('99).
Ersig birdied 7 of the first
9 holes going out in 29. He added an eagle at 11 and 2 more
birdies at 16 and 17 to tie the low net score in 2006. The win was
his 2nd official victory on Tour, after the 2005 Central Skins Game, but
the first in a full field event.
Top-4 finishers at the 2006 Caddyshack Classic
|
1
|
62 (-10)
|
Dennis Ersig $32
|
T2
|
66 (-6)
|
Erik Meland $22.50
|
T2
|
66 (-6)
|
Chris Drake $22.50
|
4
|
69 (-3)
|
Tony Viviano $9
|
It's Deja Vu all over
again!
Greg Kline wins 3rd consecutive Match
Play Championship at the Links at Whitmore Lake
Greg Kline continues to
reign supreme in the match play format. He ran his winning streak
up to 10 straight matches in claiming his 3rd Match Play title.
The #1 ranked player on the Mulligan Tour had a first round bye but then
took care of Thom Bales (2&1), David Martin (6&4), and Dan
Schwartz (3&2) to secure his 5th major title.
Kline has all but wrapped up
the 2006 Money Title. The $60 first place check pushed his season
earnings to $256.70. He will break the record for money won in a
season if he can claim another $16 in prize money in his last 3
tournaments - the Caddyshack Classic, the PLAYERS Championship, and the
TOUR Championship.
Bruning takes Two-Stick
August 2006
Bob Bruning eagled the 18th
hole to force a playoff with his old neighbor - "Old Tom"
Litzler at the 2006 Two-Stick Classic held at Hickory Sticks GC in Ann
Arbor on August 6th. Bruning then holed a long putt on the 4th
hole of the 4-hole aggregate score playoff to secure his first Tour
victory.
Armed only with a 4-hybrid
and a 9-iron (and a putter), Bruning worked his way around Hickory
Stick's 5,558 yard layout in 7-over 77. He hit 8 of 13 fairways
(61.5%) and 6 of 18 greens (33.3%) with the limited arsenal - both stats
better than his season average.
"Old Tom" Litzler
finished in the top-4 for the 5th time in 2006 and ranks 3rd on the
Mulligan Tour Money List with $104.50 earned. Barb Randle finished
3rd, 2-strokes back at 80. She ranks 10th on the money List after
her 4th top-4 this year.
Top-4 finishers at the 2006 Two-Stick Classic
|
1
|
77 (+7)
|
Bob Bruning * $32
|
2
|
77 (+7)
|
Tom W. Litzler $24
|
3
|
80 (+10)
|
Barb Randle $16
|
T4
|
82 (+12)
|
Tom R. Litzler $4
|
T4
|
82 (+12)
|
Erik Meland $4
|
*
won 4-hole playoff |
Baar wins inaugural Carrington Classic
July 2006
Bob Baar collected his 2nd
win of the season after finishing 35-32 - 67 at the inaugural Carrington
Classic on July 29th. Baar recorded 8 birdies against only 3
bogies on the 6,408 yard layout at Carrington Golf Club and became the
5th Tour player this year to post multiple wins. He is ranked 5th
on the Money Standings with $93.50 earned in 11 starts this season.
Baar finished 1-stroke ahead
of the Tour's leading Money winner, Greg Kline. Leading the field
in putting (29) at Carrington, Kline posted his 9th top-4 finish of the
year and has collected $196.70 in prize money in 2006. Rick
Persichetti finished solo 3rd and ranks 2nd on the Money standings
($134.00). Kelly Arnold netted his 3rd top-4 in his rookie
campaign.
Top-4
finishers at the 2006 Carrington Classic |
1
|
67 (-5)
|
Bob Baar $28
|
2
|
68 (-4)
|
Greg Kline $21
|
3
|
71 (-1)
|
Rick Persichetti $14
|
4
|
72 (E)
|
Kelly Arnold $7
|
Thom Bales picks up first win
July 2006
Rookie Thom Bales used 2
eagles and 3 birdies to shoot 39-35 - 74 and win the 2006 Ugly Pants
Open by a stroke over 4 others. With heat and humidity playing a
role at Downing Farms GC in South Lyon, scoring was elevated and Bales
won the tournament with highest winning score in UPO history at 3-over
par. His birdie at the 406-yard par-4 18th was the difference and
avoided what would have been a very crowded 5-way playoff.

Thom Bales, winner of the
2006 Ugly Pants Open
Top-4
finishers at the 2006 Ugly Pants Open |
|
NET
|
Player
|
1
|
74 (+3)
|
Thom Bales $28.00
|
T2
|
75 (+4)
|
Greg Kline $10.50
|
T2
|
75 (+4)
|
Tom W. Litzler $10.50
|
T2
|
75 (+4)
|
Terry Baar $10.50
|
T2
|
75 (+4)
|
Barb Randle $10.50
|
Loescher makes grand exit
July 2006
Preparing for relocation to New
Mexico, and retirement from the Mulligan Tour, Ed and Cindy Loescher
made their final event a memorable one. Cindy, the 2005 PLAYERS
Champ, netted an even par 72 to win the 2006 Commercial Underwriters Harbour Pointe Open by
3-strokes. She finishes her career with 4 top-4's in 16 starts -
with 2 wins in major championships. As the 3rd lady member to win
a grand slam event, after Sue Cwikla (2000 Memorial) and Sue Meland
(2000 PLAYERS), she has now become the first women to register
multiple majors.
Carol Koch finished 2nd
after posting a 3-over par 75. Koch has had back-to-back top-4's -
finishing T2 at the Holy Grail last month. She played Majestic's
9th thru 14th holes in 7-under par to get back to even par for the
round. Defending champ Joe Castmore tied for 3rd.
Top-10
finishers at the 2006 Harbour Pointe Open |
|
NET
|
Player
|
Gross
|
1
|
72 (E)
|
Cindy Loescher $50
|
43-46 – 89
|
2
|
75 (+3)
|
Carol Koch $35
|
54-47 – 101
|
T3
|
76 (+4)
|
Joe Castmore $20
|
41-44 – 85
|
T3
|
76 (+4)
|
Randy Norman $20
|
46-47 – 93
|
5
|
78 (+6)
|
Chris Drake $10
|
47-47 – 94
|
T6
|
79 (+7)
|
Jeff Kellstrom $2.50
|
41-45 – 86
|
T6
|
79 (+7)
|
Thom Bales $2.50
|
44-47 – 91
|
T8
|
81 (+9)
|
David Martin
|
42-48 – 90
|
T8
|
81 (+9)
|
Bob White
|
42-49 – 91
|
T10
|
83 (+11)
|
Bob Baar
|
52-45 – 97
|
T10
|
83 (+11)
|
Terry Baar
|
49-51 – 100
|

Cindy Loescher accepts the Lighthouse trophy from
Commercial Underwriter's Dan Schwartz
Martin and Litzler win Strategic Fox
events
June 2006
David Martin collected his
11th Tour win after outlasting Barb Randle in a playoff for the 2006
Par-54 Classic title on June 30th at the Strategic Fox. Martin and
Randle, the defending champion, finished the regulation 18 holes tied at
1-over 55. In the playoff, Randle opened the door for Martin by
3-putting the first hole. But clutch 2-putts on the 2nd and 3rd
holes allowed Randle to pull even with Martin when he 3-putted the
3rd. Martin was able to claim victory with a 2-putt on the 4th
hole after Randle missed her 2nd putt.
Top-4
finishers at the 2006 Par-54 Classic |
|
Net
|
Player
|
1
|
55 (+1)
|
David Martin * $20
|
2
|
55 (+1)
|
Barb Randle $13
|
3
|
58 (+4)
|
Greg Kline $9
|
4
|
59 (+5)
|
Jeff Klipa $7
|
Tom W. Litzler won the 2006
Fox Hunt title at the Strategic Fox, played simultaneously with the
Par-54 Classic. Litzler collected 60 points from hitting 11
greens, including the first 5, and from 10 2-putts, 5 1-putts, and a
chip-in at the 17th worth 3 points. The point total was 15 more
than the next best score and 9 more than the winning total in the
inaugural 2005 event. Its Litzler's first solo win, complimenting
his 2005 Memorial victory while teamed with his son Tom R. Litzler.
Top-4
finishers at the 2006 Fox Hunt |
|
Points
|
Player
|
1
|
60
|
Tom W. Litzler $25
|
2
|
45
|
Rick Persichetti $20
|
3
|
43
|
Tom R. Litzler $15
|
T4
|
40
|
Thom Bales $5
|
T4
|
40
|
Tom Moran $5
|
White strokes again
June 2006
Pastor Bob White won the
2006 Strokes on a Rope title on June 24th at Lake Erie Metropark.
His 6th career win was his 2nd of the 2006 season and the 2nd time he
has won the Strokes on a Rope. He also won the event in 2004, the
last time it was played at Lake Erie Metropark.
White ranks 3rd on the 2006
Money List ($94) and 3rd on the Central Division Money Standings
($58). He also ranks 2nd on the Western Division Money Standings
($76) and will certainly qualify for either Commissioner's Cup team in
October. White was a member of the winning Central division team
in 2005.
Top-4 finishers at the 2006 Strokes
on a Rope
|
1
|
77 (+5)
|
Bob White $36
|
2
|
80 (+8)
|
Joe Castmore $27
|
3
|
81 (+9)
|
Tom R. Litzler $18
|
4
|
84 (+12)
|
Thom Bales $9
|
Happy Father (in-law's) Day
June 2006
When you're "on",
you're "on" and Dave Randall was ON at the 2006 Real McCoy
Classic last Saturday, June 17th, at Farmington Hills Golf Club.
Randall recorded his 2nd best gross score ever, a 75, and netted a
10-under par 61 to win the Real McCoy by 2 shots. With 9 birdies
and an eagle, Randall needed only 29 putts (1st in the field), hitting
12 fairways (1st) and 9 greens in regulation (T-2). Tournament
host Victor McCoy couldn't have been happier unless he had won
himself. Randall is his father-in-law and so the newly
commissioned trophy will spend its first year in the family.
Top-4 finisher's at the 2006 Real McCoy Classic
|
1
|
61 (-10)
|
David Randall $32
|
2
|
63 (-8)
|
Terry Baar $24
|
T3
|
65 (-6)
|
DeVonne Mowry $12
|
T3
|
65 (-6)
|
Dan Schwartz $12
|

Dave Randall, left,
accepting the Real McCoy Classic trophy and first place check from
tournament host Victor McCoy
Commissioner's Day
June 2006
June 10th was
"Commissioner's Day" on the Mulligan Tour. Greg Kline,
Central division Commissioner, won the Crazy Brit at Whispering Willows
GC in the morning and then Rick "Perch" Persichetti, West
division Commissioner, won the Holy Grail at St.Johns GC in the
afternoon. Each took a $32 paycheck as they secured their 9th
career wins on the same day. Kline has now won 4 of 6 events this
year and 6 of 8 tournaments since last season. Perch became the
2nd multiple winner in 2006 adding the Holy Grail to his Animal House
Classic title.
Kline is the leading money
winner in 2006 with $144.20 earned from 5 top-4 finishes.
Persichetti is 2nd with an even $100 earned from 4 top-4's.
Top-4 finishers at the 2006 Holy Grail
|
1
|
67 (-4)
|
Rick Persichetti
$32
|
T2
|
69 (-2)
|
Jeff Klipa $16
|
T2
|
69 (-2)
|
Neil Willetts $16
|
T2
|
69 (-2)
|
Carol Koch $16
|
Top-4 Finishers at the 2006 Crazy Brit
|
1
|
33
|
Greg Kline $32
|
T2
|
31
|
David Martin $20
|
T2
|
31
|
DeVonne Mowry $20
|
T4
|
29
|
David Randall $4
|
T4
|
29
|
Jeff Klipa $4
|
McCoy wins Go Blue Classic
June 2006
Victor McCoy earned his
first Tour win Saturday (June 3) at the 2006 Go Blue Classic. McCoy
returned to the site of his previous close call with victory - Lake
Forest GC in Ann Arbor - where he lost the 2004 Western Swing in a
playoff. McCoy eagled the first hole and birdied the 2nd on his
way to a front side 31. He was 6-under par thru 10 but alternated
bogies and pars on the last 8 holes to finish at 2-under 70.
It was enough to avoid a
playoff, however, as Jeff Kellstrom birdied his final 3 holes but came
up a stroke short finishing at 1-under 71. Dennis Ersig finished
3rd at 73 and Bob Baar and Tom Hoelzle tied for 4th at 74.
Top-4 Finishers at the 2006 Go Blue Classic
|
1
|
70 (-2)
|
Victor McCoy $28
|
2
|
71 (-1)
|
Jeff Kellstrom $21
|
3
|
73 (+1)
|
Dennis Ersig $14
|
T4
|
74 (+2)
|
Bob Baar $3.50
|
T4
|
74 (+2)
|
Tom Hoelzle $3.50
|
The Coming of Sasquatch
June 2006
Tony Viviano became the
first player from the 2006 rookie class to find the winner's
circle. Playing in only his 3rd tournament, he claimed the
2006 Plymouth Open title after finishing at 2-over par 72 with David
Randall. When Randall was not available for a playoff, Viviano
became the first player ever to win a playoff without striking a putt.
Wielding a Nike
Sasquatch driver, Viviano has instantly become one of the Tour's longest
off the tee. He hit 6 of 13 fairways and 11 of 18 greens at
Hilltop GC while surviving the slick greens. He needed only 15
putts on the back nine, lowest in the field, as he played the final 9
holes in 1-under par 34.
Top-4
Finishers at the 2006 Plymouth Open |
1
|
72 (+2)
*
|
Tony Viviano $28.00
|
2
|
72 (+2)
|
David Randall $21.00
|
T3
|
74 (+4)
|
Greg Kline $4.20
|
T3
|
74 (+4)
|
Jason Rectenwald $4.20
|
T3
|
74 (+4)
|
David Martin $4.20
|
T3
|
74 (+4)
|
Daryl Kanary $4.20
|
T3
|
74 (+4)
|
Dennis Ersig $4.20
|
* won playoff by default
|
Greg Kline and Bob White win Green Towels, beat 2 other
teams in playoff
May 2006
Greg Kline continues his
impressive run on the Mulligan Tour. Teaming with Bob White to win
the 2006 Memorial Tournament, Kline has now won 5 of the last 6 Tour
events in which he has participated. He has solidified his spot as
the #1 ranked player on Tour by winning the last 3 major
tournaments. It was Kline's 8th Tour victory (4 majors) and
White's 5th (first major).
With Gateway GC in Romulus
serving as a substitute host course, the Kline-White team finished at
1-under par 71 with the Jeff Kellstrom - Rick Persichetti and Tom
Hoelzle - Barb Randle teams. The Memorial would need a playoff to
determine a winner, only the 3rd playoff in the event's history but the
first involving 3 teams. The playoff easily could have had more
teams involved. Four other teams finished 1-stroke back at even
par 72.
Kline and White have
partnered 4 times in 2-player scramble events. They first teamed
up at the 2004 Memorial finishing in 4th place. In 2005, they
finished 2nd at the Memorial and then won the inaugural U&B Golf
Classic 2 months later.

Greg Kline, with partner Bob White, showing how many majors in a row he has won.
2006
Memorial Tournament FINAL STANDINGS |
|
NET
|
Team
|
1
|
71
(-1)
|
Greg
Kline – Bob White * $40
|
2
|
71
(-1)
|
Jeff
Kellstrom – Rick Persichetti $25
|
|
71
(-1)
|
Tom
Hoelzle – Barb Randle $25
|
4
|
72
(E)
|
Tony
Viviano – Matt Murdza (a)
|
|
72
(E)
|
Tom W. Litzler – Tom R.
Litzler $10
|
|
72
(E)
|
Kelly
Arnold – Thom Bales $10
|
|
72
(E)
|
John
Stepek – Dennis Ersig $10
|
8
|
73
(+1)
|
Bob
Baar – Terry Baar
|
9
|
74
(+2)
|
Ed
Loescher – Cindy Loescher
|
10
|
75
(+3)
|
Jeff
Klipa – Victor McCoy
|
|
75
(+3)
|
Dan
Schwartz – Neil Willets
|
|
75
(+3)
|
Eric
Jenkins – Russ Butler
|
13
|
76
(+4)
|
Jim
Cwikla – Chris Drake
|
|
76
(+4)
|
David
Martin – Jason Rectenwald
|
15
|
78
(+6)
|
Bob
Bruning – Tom Moran
|
|
78
(+6)
|
Erik
Meland – Sue Meland
|
PLAYOFF RESULTS
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
TOTAL
|
Greg KLINE – Bob WHITE
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
9
|
Jeff KELLSTROM – Rick PERSICHETTI
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
10
|
Barb RANDLE – Tom HOELZLE
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
3
|
13
|
Meland favors moving Memorial Tournament
over postponement
May 2006
Memorial Tournament host
Erik Meland moved the event to a substitute site after Willow Metropark
closed for flooding. For the first time in the tournament's 11
year history, the 2-man scramble will be played at a course other than
Willow MP. In 2004, flooding forced a 2 month postponement of the
tournament, but it remained at Willow.
The 2006 tournament will be
hosted by Gateway GC in Romulus. Gateway previously hosted the
2001 Harbour Pointe Open golf championship. Ironically, that major
title was won by Meland in a playoff over Ron Stuart.
Martin takes 10th career title in a
playoff
May 2006
David Martin won the 2006
Sweet Sixteen on Saturday, May 13th, in less than perfect
conditions. Rain soaked Salem Hills GC became the site of Martin's
10th career win, after he outlasted Tom W Litzler in a playoff.
Both men signed for net even par scores after eliminating their 2 worst
holes. They needed a record 10 playoff holes to settle the
score. Martin is the Mulligan Tour's career money leader, with
earnings of
$783.50 from 42 top-4 finishes in 74 tournaments played.
Litzler finished runner-up
for the 2nd year in a row. In last year's inaugural Sweet Sixteen,
Litzler finished 2nd to his son, as Tom Jr scorched the Salem Hills
track for a net 59 for 18 holes and a net 49 for his best 16.
Top-4
finishers at the 2006 Sweet Sixteen |
1
|
E (61)
|
David Martin * $28
|
2
|
E (61)
|
Tom W. Litzler $21
|
T3
|
+1 (64)
|
DeVonne Mowry $10.50
|
T3
|
+1 (62)
|
Kelly Arnold $10.50
|
Zoo Keeper
May 2006
Rick Persichetti won the
2006 Animal House Classic at Salem Hills on May 13th. The
western division Commissioner shot 35-35 - 70 to win by 8-strokes.
It was his 2nd AHC title in 3 years and his 3rd win on the Salem Hills
course, having also won the 2003 Strokes on a Rope at SHGC. The
win was worth $36 pushing his career winnings to within $3 of the $600
plateau.
Persichetti also won the
4-player putt-off for the $25 Carl's Golfland giftcard. A 2-putt
par on the 2nd hole was the difference in beating Bob Baar, Tom Moran,
and Russ Butler in the 4-hole contest featuring the 4 lowest Zoo ratios
from the tournament.
Jeff Kellstrom, Bob Baar,
and Russ Butler tied for 2nd with net 78's. Baar is the leading
money winner in the western division ($50) with a win and a T2 in 2
starts this year.
Top-4
finishers at the 2006 Animal House Classic |
1
|
70 (-1)
|
Rick Persichetti $36
|
T2
|
78 (+7)
|
Jeff Kellstrom $18
|
T2
|
78 (+7)
|
Bob Baar $18
|
T2
|
78 (+7)
|
Russ Butler $18
|
Congratulations to Thom
Bales, finishing closest-to-the-pin on hole #17 and earning the first
invitation to the western division Skins Game scheduled for August 27th.
Make that 4 in a row
May 2006
Greg Kline has now won the
last 4 tournaments that he has entered. Finishing 2005 with wins
at the Match Play Championship and TOUR Championship, Kline starts the
2006 season with wins at the Tin Cup and the Western Swing. Kline
eagled both par-5's on Calderone Farms' back-nine and held off a late
charge by the 2000 Western Swing winner Chris Drake. The 2006
Western Swing is Kline's 2nd Western Swing title. He won the 2003
event at Huron Meadows Metropark.
Rookie Mike Thompson
completed his Q-school requirements by finishing T-4 with a gross
1-under 71. It was only the 2nd time in Tour history that a player
shot a gross score under par. The first was Craig MacBeth's
1-under 70 at the 2003 Animal House Classic that he won in a
playoff. Thompson graduates from Q-school with the lowest MTHI
ever recorded (0.1).
Top-4
at the 2006 Western Swing |
1
|
68 (-4)
|
Greg Kline $36
|
2
|
69 (-3)
|
Chris Drake $27
|
3
|
70 (-2)
|
Bob White $18
|
T4
|
71 (-1)
|
DeVonne Mowry $4.50
|
T4
|
71 (-1)
|
Jim Cwikla $4.50
|
T4
|
71 (-1)
|
Mike Thompson
|
Meland at home in Chelsea
May 2006
Erik Meland won the 2006
Chelsea Classic at Calderone Farms. Meland won the 2nd year event
with a 4-under par 68 carding 8 net birdies during the round. The
founding member of the Mulligan Tour has 12 wins in 93 career starts.
Jeff Klipa netted his 2nd
top-4 finish in 2 starts this year. Klipa had 3 eagles during the
round and posted a 2-under 70 for 2nd place, 1-stroke ahead of Tom
Litzler.
Top-4
at the 2006 Chelsea Classic |
1
|
68 (-4)
|
Erik Meland $28
|
2
|
70 (-2)
|
Jeff Klipa $21
|
3
|
71 (-1)
|
Tom W.Litzler $14
|
4
|
72 (E)
|
Rick Persichetti $7
|
Mr. and Mrs. GoodBaar
April 2006
Bob Baar, a 3-year Tour
veteran, played the back-nine in 2-under par 34 to capture his first
full field win by finishing at 2-over par 74 at the Pine View
Classic. He finished 2-strokes ahead of his spouse and was 3
shots clear of the defending champ. Baar was making his 33rd
career start at the western division season opener. The win was
worth $32 in official Tour earnings but he added to his small fortune by
winning the "Drive for Dough" challenge on hole #4 to collect
another $18.
Baar's wife, Terry, made it
a 1-2 finish by carding a 4-over 76. She also finished
closest-to-the-pin on hole #17 and was awarded a dozen Callaway golf
balls.
The 2-time defending champ,
Erik Meland, was derailed from a 3-peat when he scored a triple bogey at
#9 and a double bogey at #10.
Top 4 at the 2006 Pine View Classic |
1 |
74 (+2) |
Bob Baar $32 |
2 |
76 (+4) |
Terry Baar $24 |
3 |
77 (+5) |
Erik Meland $16 |
4 |
79 (+7) |
Dennis Manning $8 |
Kline wins Tin Cup
April 2006
Central division
Commissioner Greg Kline was the only player to hit the peninsula green
at Hickory Creek's 17th hole completing the comeback and winning the
2006 Tin Cup on Saturday. He shot 40-37 - 77 and beat the '04 Tin
Cup champ David Martin by a stroke. Martin maxed out on the 17th
taking a quadruple bogey 7 and a finishing birdie at 18 was not enough
to force a playoff.
Kline hit 8 of 18 greens,
most in the field, and putted just well enough on Hickory Creek's
slippery slopes to finish with the lowest net score. The 5-over 77
was the highest winning score in Tour history, not counting the Strokes
on a Rope tournament.
Top 4 at the 2006 Tin Cup |
1 |
77 (+5) |
Greg Kline $32 |
2 |
78 (+6) |
David Martin $24 |
3 |
80 (+8) |
Jeff Klipa $16 |
T4 |
81 (+9) |
DeVonne Mowry $4 |
T4 |
81 (+9) |
Eric Jenkins $4 |
Viviano, Thompson medal at Q-school; Young guns lead
'06 rookie crop
April 2006
Tony Viviano and Mike
Thompson took medalist honors at the 2006 Qualifying schools held
recently in Livonia. It was the first time in 4 years that the
Tour completed both stages in one season. Bad weather had forced
the cancellation of 1 of the 2 events in each of the last 3 years.
Tony Viviano shot a gross
5-over par 76 at the Fox Creek GC on April 15th while 5 others shot in
the 80's. Mike Thompson shot a 13-over 84 and then came out a week
later at Whispering Willows GC and and shot an 8-over 78.
All 12 of the Tour's new
members attended at least 1 of the Q-schools and 9 of the rookies will
make their tournament debuts this weekend at Pine View or Hickory Creek.
Q-School
I (April 15, 2006 at Fox Creek GC)
1
|
Tony VIVIANO
|
37-39 – 76
|
2
|
Kelly ARNOLD
|
42-40 – 82
|
3
|
Fred BUECHEL
|
41-42 – 83
|
4
|
Mike THOMPSON
|
43-41 – 84
|
T5
|
Thom BALES
|
42-45 – 87
|
T5
|
Matt MURDZA
|
44-43 – 87
|
7
|
Dave RANDALL
|
44-46 – 90
|
8
|
Neil WILLETS
|
48-48 – 96
|
9
|
Richard SPIERS
|
56-50 – 106
|
10
|
Daryl KANARY
|
58-49 – 107
|
Q-School
II (April 22, 2006 at Whispering Willows GC)
1
|
Mike THOMPSON
|
40-38 – 78
|
2
|
Kelly ARNOLD
|
43-42 – 85
|
3
|
Dustin RIDGEWAY
|
46-42 – 88
|
T4
|
Tom MORAN
|
47-42 – 89
|
T4
|
Dave RANDALL
|
43-46 – 89
|
6
|
Thom BALES
|
44-46 – 90
|
T7
|
Bob BRUNING
|
46-48 – 94
|
T7
|
Neil WILLETTS
|
43-51 – 94
|
9
|
Daryl KANARY
|
47-54 – 101
|
Bob White takes Runny Nose for 2nd time
March 2006
Bob White, Pastor at Grace Baptist
Church in Belleville, won the 2005 Runny Nose Open on March 4th at
Harbor Club GC. The rescheduled event - snow in late November 2005
forced the postponement - was played in sunny skies with temperatures
ranging through the 30's during the round.
White netted a 31-39 - 70, 2 strokes
under par, to win by 4 strokes over John Stepek. The win was worth
$12 in unofficial earnings for White who also won the 2002 Runny Nose
Open. Stepek finished 33-41 - 74 and took home $9 for 2nd place.
David Martin, the 2003 Runny Nose
Open champ, finished 3rd with a 37-41 - 78, winning $6. Greg Kline
rounded out the top-4 with a 39-41 - 80 worth $3.
Links at Whitmore Lake awarded 2006
Match Play Championship
March 2006
The Tour finalized a deal with the
Links at Whitmore Lake to begin hosting the Match
Play Championship starting in 2006. The Links course will hold
the first round on Friday, August 4th, and the 2nd round on Saturday,
August 5th. The semi-finals and final will be held on the
following weekend. The matches are scheduled to begin each day at
3:30 pm.
The switch to Whitmore Lake also
allowed a reduction to the entry fee. As high as $140 when the
event was played at Inkster Valley or the Woodlands, the expected entry
fee for the Match Play at Whitmore Lake is $100. As before,
players dispatched after the first or 2nd round will get refunds - $75
(1st round loss) or $50 (2nd round loss).
Tour announces changes, schedule for 2006 season
February 2006
Among the few changes approved for the 2006 Tour season
at the Board of Directors meeting was the exciting possibility to earn a
2-year exemption from membership dues with a hole-in-one during Mulligan
Tour competition. The decision comes after 2 players made
aces in the 2005 season. DeVonne Mowry carded the Tour's first
hole-in-one at the 2005 U&B Golf Classic in July. Greg Kline
made a hole-in-one on his way to winning the TOUR Championship in
September.
Also new in 2006 is a World ranking
system that will allow a relative comparison of Tour members across all
regional divisions. Players earn 100 points divided by their
placement in every tournament (250 points for majors). So, a player earns 100 points for a
win, 50 points for 2nd place, 33.3 points for 3rd place, etc. Then,
the points are averaged over the number of tournaments played over the last 2
years.
The Mulligan Tour Chronicles will now
be published monthly. The Tour's newsletter will concentrate on
previewing upcoming events and introducing individual players to the
membership. As a consequence, players will need to refer to the
Tour's website to find their tee times if they are playing in the coming
weekend's tournaments.
The 2006 Tour schedule is nearly
solidified. The Tin Cup (Hickory Creek GC) and Pine View Classic
(Pine View GC) have their traditional season starts for the Central and
West divisions on April 29. Then the Tour visits Calderone Farms
GC for the first time as the Western Swing and Chelsea Classic share the
course on May 6. Popular Salem Hills GC hosts the Sweet Sixteen
and Animal House Classic on May 13 before the season's first major takes
the Tour's best twosomes down to Willow Metropark GC for the Memorial
tournament on May 20th.
Other tournaments that are set on the
schedule include the Go Blue Classic at Lake Forest GC (June 3), the
Crazy Brit at Whispering Willows GC (June 10), the Holy Grail at
St.Johns GC (June 10), and the Quad-Tour Challenge at Fox Creek GC (July
22).
The most noticeable change in the
schedule is the Match Play Championship moving from September into early
August. The move spreads the Tour's majors out more evenly over
the season. The tournament has been alternately hosted by The
Woodlands of Van Buren (odd years) and Inkster Valley GC (even years)
but the Tour is considering a move to Links at Whitmore Lake, the venue
that was put into emergency use last year after a scheduling snafu at
the Woodlands.
|