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Nationwide event has GCRO spice

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 23:42:00 -0500

You can't say the field the Greater Cedar Rapids Open draws is second-rate, even on the scale of a "mini-tour" event, if you want to call it that. While you're waiting to see how Tiger does in his return at the World Golf Championship's Bridgestone Invitational at historic Firestone Country Club, keep an eye out on the Nationwide Tour this week, too. The Cox Classic in Omaha will feature some GCRO flavor, some recent, some not. But it certainly says something about the competition that makes its way to Hunters Ridge every year. Chris Thompson – I've been bragging him up for a month now – finished in a tie for second at the rain-shortened GCRO last month. I can't help but wonder what a final day it would have been with eventual champion Brock Mulder, Thompson and co-runner-up Tommy Bliefnick paired up and battling it out down the stretch. Mother Nature prevented that scenario and Mulder is a fine, deserving champion, but Thompson I'm sure would have had plenty to say about the outcome. This week the 35-year-old from Lawrence, Kan., has another opportunity. A regular Nationwide Tour player about five years ago who now has family responsibilities, Thompson finished second in one of Omaha's Monday qualifiers to earn his way into the tournament, where the winner's share is $130,000. He tees off today at Champions Run in Omaha and isn't the only GCRO tie-in playing there. Gary Christian, the 2004 GCRO winner, is also in the field. A Nationwide regular, he currently ranks 42nd in money winnings with just over $67,000. Also in the field is Steve Friesen, who did everything but win in several stops at the GCRO, the most recent a third-place finish in 2010. The tournament will be covered by the Golf Channel at different times all weekend, so tune in and see how some of "our boys" are doing. Or go to http://www.pgatour.com/h/ Mulder in contention in Kansas Brock Mulder, the 2011 GCRO champion who spent last week with family in Waterloo and met a new nephew for the first to boot, still has his golf game intact. Playing in the prestigious Southwest Kansas Pro-Am, Mulder shot a 4-under-par 67 Wednesday and is two shots behind defending champion Wil Collins in Garden City, Kan. The 72-hole tournament has a unique format. It's played over two courses and the pros play the first two rounds by themselves. The final two rounds are played with four-man amateur teams. For info go to http://agpts.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/agpts11/event/agpts1113/contest/1/leaderboard.htm.

GCRO helps bring friends together

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:56:00 -0500

Do you remember exactly when and how you met your "best friend?" Or maybe one of your best friends? Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School golf coach Steve Koepke does – and so does his buddy. "Well, it goes back 10 years ago last week,'" said Koepke, a couple days after the finish of the 2011 Greater Cedar Rapids Open. Ten years ago last week! That's like remembering your anniversary. No, wait, he's probably got it better than most of us as far as that goes. Koepke and England's Tim Owers have developed a bond that not everyone is fortunate to have. And, when Owers comes over from London each year to play in the GCRO, well, it just adds to the legacy. "When I was 8 if someone would have said one of your best, best friends is going to be a kid growing up in London, England, I would have never believed them," said Koepke, 38. "But that's what golf can do because it's such a great, worldwide game." The two met because – get this – their sisters – Ann and Sara, respectively – were doing a teacher exchange between the U.S. and England. "They swapped jobs, cars and apartments," said Owers, who last month played in his fifth GCRO, the first as a professional. Koepke's sister had Owers' sister step up a game for the two when Steve came to visit. "I was 28 and going to Europe and bringing my clubs," said Koepke, who finished tied for fifth in the Amateur Division with an 8-over-par 152 two-round total. "It was a great UK golf trip. He was going to meet me at the train in London. I was told there would be a skinny Brit waiting for me there. I saw him and he saw me and I said 'Tim?' and he said 'Steve' and after that it's really been history. "We went to his club and played that day and we found we had a lot in common," continued Koepke. "The common thread is truly golf, but we have a lot of other things in common we started discussing. The friendship sort of kick-started from nowhere." Owers truly enjoys his visits to the States, even if he would like to golf better than he did at the GCRO, where he finished with a 10-over-par 154. There's more to it than that though. "Steve and I sit on his deck and chew the fat as we say," said Owers, who played here four times previously as an amateur, his best finish a tie for eighth. "We discuss all sorts of things, primarily golf, but we have many similarities ... It was such a crazy turn of events." Owers has helped at Koepke's golf camp, but there's more to it than that. When Koepke and his wife, Lynne, where on their honeymoon in Europe and used Tim's place as a "home base," Tim dropped the question on Steve if he'd like to be his best man. The answer was easy and Tim and Aimee had Steve standing up for them. Owers doesn't want to be a visitor to the U.S. for the rest of his life. "My ultimate goal is to get a director of golf position or become a head golf professional somewhere here in the States, and to have the opportunity to meet people like (GCRO chairman) Jim Winker and (GRCO co-founder) Jim McPartland," he said. A pro who regained his amateur status and now is a pro again, Owers worked as a mortgage consultant before getting back in the golf business at his current position at Hampton Court Palace in London. He's in charge of sales and membership there. But he longs for the USA. "In the U.S., you have this attitude that if you work hard you can make it (a certain situation) happen. In the UK, golf professionals are not afforded opportunities a lot of guys get over here," said Owers. "It's a 'let's make this work attitude.' I think the attitude, certainly in Iowa, is great. Work hard and do the right things and things will happen. It's certainly the land of opportunity." Owers said when he finally boarded his plane home to the UK last week he would already be thinking of returning to Cedar Rapids next year. And Koepke would be looking forward to the return of his good buddy. "It's just a couple of guys who kind of got together because of golf and we've turned it into much, much more than that," said Koepke. "It's certainly the most unique friendship I've had in my adult life and certainly one I value greatly."

GCRO competitor Arouca wins Illinois Open

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 01:13:00 -0500

Philip Arouca of Wilmette, Ill., saw a four-shot final-round lead disappear, then in a wild finish put things back together Wednesday to win the 62nd Illinois Open championship at Hawthorn Woods Country Club in suburban Chicago. Finishing a grueling week of competition which saw him tie for 17th at the Greater Cedar Rapids Open this past weekend, then head home for three days and 54 more holes against Illinois' best players, Arouca shot a 1-under-par 70 to finish at 11-under-par 202. His final three-stroke advantage over runner-up Michael Schachner of Libertyville might have a comfortable look, but it was anything but. Schachner was in third place and actually trailed Arouca by five strokes to start the day. But the two were actually tied for the lead after 12 holes when Arouca made a double-bogey and Schachner birdied the hole for a three-shot swing. Arouca, who fired a 4-under-par 68 in his first round of the GCRO, which took two days to complete because of weather delays and followed that with an even-par 72, birdied the next hole and then birdied the 16th while Schachner was posting a bogey. That three-stroke lead lasted one hole when Schachner eagled the par-5 17th to pull within one. But Schachner then double-bogeyed the 18th and Arouca could breathe a sigh of relief. Tommy Bliefnick of Decatur, who finished in a tie for second at the GCRO, posted a final-round 2-over 73 and tied for 32nd at Hawthorn. Joe Emerich of Palatine improved on his tie for 84th at the GCRO with a final-round 5-over 76 and a tie for 44th. Emerich, who graduated from Illinois State, won the Illinois Open as an amateur back in 2008. For more information on the Illinois Open, go to www.ipga.com. Don Wojciechowski resides in the Hunters Ridge Golf Course community and plays the course on a regular basis. He's a former sports editor for a suburban Chicago daily newspaper and an avid golf fan.

GCRO competitor leads Illinois Open

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:17:00 -0500

Playing golf only because he got cut from his high school baseball team, Philip Arouca of Wilmette, who just competed at the Greater Cedar Rapids Open this past weekend at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion, is on the brink of what could be a major breakthrough in his career. Arouca took a four-shot lead into Wednesday's play of the 62nd Illinois Open, being played at Hawthorn Woods Country Club in suburban Chicago. Arouca headed into the final round of the 54-hole tournament at 10-under par 132 and led Bennett Blakeman of Burr Ridge by four shots. Arouca posted a 4-under par 140 here at the GCRO to tie for 17th. He had rounds of 68 and 72 in the rain-shortened 36-hole tournament. Arouca shot a 6-under in Monday's first round at the Illinois Open and followed that up with a 4-under 68 Tuesday. Tom Bliefnick of Decatur, Ill., who tied for second in the GCRO at 11-under 133, couldn't follow up a solid first round at Hawthorn and was tied for 35th heading into the final round. Bliefnick shot a 2-under 69 Monday, but ballooned to a 6-over 77 Tuesday. Also tied for 35th was Joe Emerich of Palatine, Ill., a former Illinois Open champ. Emerich, who tied for 84th at the GCRO, was at 4-over 135. Two other golfers who just played in Marion and then headed out to the Illinois Open didn't fare as well, missing the 36-hole cut. Jeff Kellen (Rockford, Ill.) tied for 35th over the weekend in the GCRO at 2-under 142 and Josh Butterfield (Aurora, Ill.) tied for 84th here. For live scoring updates from the Illinois Open go to www.ipga.com. Don Wojciechowski resides in the Hunters Ridge Golf Course community and plays the course on a regular basis. He's a former sports editor for a suburban Chicago daily newspaper and an avid golf fan.

Dunn claims fourth Greater Cedar Rapids Open amateur title

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 01:07:00 -0500

Nate Dunn claimed his second consecutive Greater Cedar Rapids Open amateur title Saturday - his fourth GCRO title overall - when he carded a two-round total of 144 in the rain-shortened event at Hunters Ridge Golf Course. Dunn finished two strokes ahead of second-place finisher J.D. Schlotterback of Marion (72-74–146), and four strokes ahead of North Liberty's Chad McCarty (76-72–148) in a tournament shortened from 54 to 36 holes. Amateur play concluded Saturday. A resident of Hiawatha, Dunn was among the 50 players called off the course at about 8:15 p.m. Friday because of lightning. The completion of round one was originally set to begin at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, but Mother Nature had other plans in mind. "It was a tough day out there because of all the weather delays," said Dunn, who finally wrapped up his first round at about noon Saturday. "You can't control the weather. I've played enough golf to know that you can't let it affect you or it will end up affecting your game." The Manchester, Iowa, native carded a 1-under-par 71 to complete his opening round. After a little more than two hours rest, Dunn went to work again. He had a birdie and two bogeys in his second round to finish with a 1-over-par 73. "The course played all 7,000 yards this afternoon because it was so wet from all of the rain," said Dunn. "It certainly was a challenge. "I take what the course gives me and I don't try to force it. I hit a lot of fairway woods and a lot of irons," continued Dunn, who played his college golf at California State University Stanislaus near Modesto. "Just knowing what it takes to win the amateur division ... I don't overpower the golf course and I take what it gives me. No matter how good or bad I'm hitting it, I stick to my game plan when I head out on the golf course." Written by GCRO Publicity Chair Jill Wojciechowski

Tournament shortened to 36 holes

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 10:03:00 -0500

Due to impending weather, the completion of first-round play at the 13th Annual Greater Cedar Rapids Open will begin at 10:30 a.m. The tournament has been shortened to 36 holes with no cut. Saturday's originally scheduled morning tee times will begin at 1 p.m. today. Saturday's originally scheduled afternoon tee times will begin at 7 a.m., Sunday.

Florida Fivesome here to make mark

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:43:00 -0500

Greg O'Mahony, one of two players in the 2011 Greater Cedar Rapids Open field to play in a PGA Tour event this year, brought along some reserves to Hunters Ridge Golf Course. O'Mahony, who finished second last year by one shot to champion Andy Winings, is from Tequesta, Fla. He and P.J. Kolosvary, who was tied for first in 2010 after two rounds and hails from Safety Harbor, Fla., have a traveling entourage that totals five. Call them the Fearsome Fivesome ... the Florida Fivesome? Joining Kolosvary and O'Mahony, who played in the PGA's Honda Classic earlier this year, is Brandon Lee from Ft. Myers, Eric Cole from Orlando, and Bobby Bode from Ft. Lauderdale. It's quite a traveling party. O'Mahony and Lee were teammates at South Florida. When O'Mahony transferred to Nova Southeastern University he roomed with Kolosvary, Cole and Bode. Bode and O'Mahony were the only two of the five to cash last week at the Waterloo Open, but the group hopes to change that this week. A couple Florida Fivesome tidbits: -- Kolosvary was born at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines and grew up in Pittsburgh. -- Cole is the son of former LPGA star and glamour girl Laura Baugh and pro golfer Bobby Cole. McHenry wins pro portion of Pro/Am Connor McHenry of Jefferson City, Mo., comes off as a good ole' boy and has a little accent to go with it. Thursday, he was a pretty good golfer, too. McHenry fired a 6-under-par 66 to win the pro division of the Greater Cedar Rapids Open Pro/Am. McHenry (I told you that was a great golf name) was 7 under after 10 holes. He three-putted 18 for a bogey or he would have had a 65. His efforts earned him a little spending money to the tune of $600. Senior Steve Thomas, Derek Bohlen, Jim Globokar, Anthony Vena, Jason Goodendorf and Patrick Duffy all were one shot behind with 67s. Those guys earned a few cents short of $275 for their efforts. Next up were Chris Thompson (watch this guy, I'm telling you), Kent Bulle and Justin Herron with 68s. A caddie with contacts David Henry is golfing for a cause, which was well documented by Cedar Rapids Gazette sportswriter Nick Pugliese (see link on our home page). But in golfing with Henry in Thursday's Pro/Am, I also got to know his caddy, Tom Sizemore. The likeable Sizemore is originally from Chicago and has lived in Oskaloosa for more than a decade. Sizemore and his wife, Theresa, have quite a family tree growing. Major League baseball players or former players Mike Marshall, Grady Sizemore and Ted Sizemore are all relatives as is New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi. Girardi is a cousin of Theresa. They see them occasionally, "but usually not during the summertime," said Tom. Don Wojciechowski resides in the Hunters Ridge Golf Course community and plays the course on a regular basis. He's a former sports editor for a suburban Chicago daily newspaper and an avid golf fan.

Down Under golfer hoping to make experience a top one

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:22:00 -0500

Obviously for an American, the first thing that intrigues you is his accent. Especially American women. Just ask my wife, Jill. Well, I have to admit it does sound kind of cool. But Australian Tim Frazer isn't here to impress you with his speech. His main goal is to impress you with his golf game. The 26-year-old will be one of the record number of pros teeing it up Friday in the 2011 Greater Cedar Rapids Open (GCRO). The official GCRO kickoff (or should that be tee off) took place on Wednesday with the annual Pro-Am Dinner party at the Hunters Ridge Lodge. It allowed sponsors and donors, host families, volunteers, and a good number of the competitors to rub elbows, exchange stories, and learn about each other in a relaxed – albeit hot – atmosphere. Frazer, who played in his first professional tournament last week in the Waterloo Open, is on his second trip to the States. He was here last year on one of my favorite reasons for traveling, "a golf holiday." This year is all about business though – well, he is here to have some fun – as he works on his chances of playing golf for a living, not a hobby. From New South Wales, Frazer says playing in the U.S. offers him more opportunities to test his game and make some cash than staying Down Under. Considered a "playing professional" in Australia, Frazer figures he will spend about $10,000 on this trip. He saved some of his own money and is getting help from his family and his sponsor – bonus time, he's a travel agent – to test his mettle. He figures after his first go-around with tournaments like the Waterloo Open, the GCRO, the Dakotas Tour, and a try at qualifying for the Nationwide event in Omaha, Neb., he'll sit down and analyze just where he and his game are at. He's in the States until September, and then heads home, where he will try again to qualify for the Australian PGA Tour at Q-school. He's definitely coming back to the U.S. next year, he says, to see if his game has improved with this year's experience. Last week's experience at Waterloo isn't one he figures to put near the top of the list. He missed the cut. If golf doesn't pan out, Frazer has a building certification to fall back on. He was even admiring the huge wood beams at the Hunters Ridge Lodge. Back home he works for his dad, who is a contractor. "It makes it easier to get time off," said Frazer, smiling. Frazer is staying this week with Mark and Patty Nelson at Hunters Ridge. He has a chance to become the second Australian to win the GCRO. In 2003, Simon Nash of Sydney edged out local favorite Sean McCarty by two strokes to win $15,000. Good luck mate! (I mean, that does sound cool). For more on Frazer, go to http://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/news/local/sport/golf/us-beckons-for-wentworth-falls-golfer-tim-frazer/2181775.aspx. Some more coming on Wednesday's event in the next blog. Right now, it's 10 p.m. and I've still got to cook something to have for our pro guest – Wade Pettitt of Carroll, Iowa, – and my wife's nephew (and hopefully good caddie), Skylore Kleppe. Oh, and there's a bathroom to tidy up, too. If you're wondering what my wife is doing ... she's still thinking about Frazer's accent! Stay cool on Thursday people. Don Wojciechowski resides in the Hunters Ridge Golf Course community and plays the course on a regular basis. He's a former sports editor for a suburban Chicago daily newspaper and an avid golf fan.

Tiger-like act makes Divot Party little more tolerable

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 01:08:00 -0500

After about 20 or so homeowners, friends, relatives, Greater Cedar Rapids Open (GCRO) committee members and Hunters Ridge staff spent about two hours Sunday evening sweating their a---- ... I mean tails off repairing divots around the course, they got an unexpected treat upon returning to the clubhouse. While being provided some necessary refreshments after the "holey war," J.J. Beckstrom, who will tee it up this week at the GCRO, was at his Tiger Woods best. Remember the Tiger commercial where he's bouncing a golf ball up and down and around on his wedge. Well, Beckstrom, a Muskegon, Mich., native and who went to Michigan State, is staying with John and Donna Negro here at Hunters Ridge. He didn't fare too well at Waterloo, which was a break for all those in attendance Sunday night. Beckstrom rivaled whatever Woods could do with that wedge – at least in this instance – bouncing it off his wedge, through his legs, up on top of his back and neck and catching it – with the wedge, as it came down. He had the ball spinning on the wedge, stopped the ball spinning, had the ball on his wedge as he went round and round in a circle, all to the applause of the Divot Party-goers. It was truly incredible what the kid can do with that wedge and the ball. The personable Beckstrom is a "golf assistant" at Old Collier Golf Club in Naples, Fla., where he makes enough money to pursue his dream of playing. If that doesn't work out, he's got a good gig at Old Collier and maybe could make a few extra bucks off his wedge show. Unfortunately, he hasn't let anyone put it on YouTube yet. But I'm telling you ........................... A "golf assistant" in Beckstrom's case is someone who helps a golfer manage his game. If you want to call it a glorified caddie, so be it. But one of Beckstrom's regular clients is Best Buy Founder and Chairman of the Board Richard Schulze. And, Beckstrom says he talks to Schulze on the course just like he would talk to you. What's Old Collier like? Go to the website at www.oldcolliergc.com. Wow. I only dream of playing places like that. Beckstrom is hoping for a better showing this year at the GCRO. He did not play last year, but finished in a tie for 27th in 2009. He missed the cut in 2008. How did he learn his little trick shot act? "There are some long winters in Michigan," he said. "I know you know all about those here in Iowa, but ours are a little longer." Don Wojciechowski resides in the Hunters Ridge Golf Course community and plays the course on a regular basis. He's a former sports editor for a suburban Chicago daily newspaper and an avid golf fan.

On the road from Waterloo to GCRO

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 01:01:00 -0500

In the 13-year history of the Greater Cedar Rapids Open, only one golfer has ever won the Waterloo Open and the GCRO in the same year. PGA Tour player Derek Lamely won the Waterloo in 2008 and then moseyed down I-380 to Marion and Hunters Ridge Golf Course to add the GCRO title. It was Lamely's second GCRO title after wining in 2005. Defending GCRO champ Andy Winings won in Waterloo in 2009, then came down to the GCRO and almost won that, finishing two shots in back of Solon's Sean McCarty. McCarty also has a Waterloo title to his credit, winning in 1998 to edge Zach Johnson by a stroke. Every golfer who plays and does well at the Waterloo Open – Iowa's largest and oldest pro golf tournament – doesn't always fare well at the GCRO, but you have to look for a trend somewhere. So here are a few of the top finishers at Waterloo last weekend, who also will be teeing it up Friday in the opening round of the GCRO. Chris Thompson – you read about him here before – tied for third and was handed a nice $5,800 check. Well, not as nice as winner Nathan Lashley's $50,000, but it was something. Judd Cornell of Omaha was one shot behind Thompson and tied for fourth. Winings tied for ninth and you can expect him to be in the hunt here again. Tom Bliefnick of Decatur, Ill., and Chris McCartin of Arlington, Va., also finished ninth, all at 9-under 135 for the two-day tournament. They got some spending money with checks of $1,720. Coralville's Jonathan Feldick and Jerry Smith of Scottsdale, Ariz., were in a bunch at 136 to share 14th place. Smith tied for fourth here last year. So what does that all mean? Well, considering Luke Donald and Lee Westwood were among the prohibitive favorites going into last week's British Open and neither made the cut, I guess maybe a lot of "let's wait and see." Hey, here's one more name. Rodney Hamblin of St. Paul, Minn., was the opening day leader at Waterloo, firing an 8-under 64. He collapsed Sunday, ballooning to a 76. Which guy will show up this week? Don Wojciechowski resides in the Hunters Ridge Golf Course community and plays the course on a regular basis. He's a former sports editor for a suburban Chicago daily newspaper and an avid golf fan.

Watch for Thompson at GCRO

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:35:00 -0500

Some of you out there might remember that there was a three-way tie for first after Saturday's second-round of the Greater Cedar Rapids Open in 2010. Eventual champion Andy Winings, who had fired an 8-under par 64 in Friday's opening round, came back with a 3-under 69 at Hunters Ridge in the second round and sat at 11-under 133. Along with Winings was P.J. Kolosvary of Florida and Chris Thompson, a former Nationwide Tour player. Winings hung on Sunday to win the $20,000 winner's share, but the results weren't as pleasant for Kolosvary and Thompson. Kolosvary fired a 3-over 75 and finished tied for sixth. Thompson had an even worse day, shooting a 5-over 77, which included bogeys on 6 and 13, a double bogey on 17 and a bogey on 18. His back nine 40 left him at 6 under for the tournament and tied for 14th. Both Kolosvary and Thompson are back this season for another try at the GCRO top spot. Thompson certainly figures to be in the hunt. In only four starts this year on the eGolf Professional Tour, Thompson ranks fourth in money earnings with $55,185. The majority of competitors on that tour, which sports 515 members, have played between 8-10 events. Thompson, who will tee it up in the Waterloo Open this weekend, pocketed a $35,000 check in April by winning the Columbia Open at Columbia Country Club in Blythe, S.C. Thompson, a 35-year-old father of two from Lawrence, Kan., shot a 23-under-par 264 for the title, beating Canadian Brad Fritsch by two strokes. Thompson also has two fourth-place finishes on the eGolf Tour. He pocketed $8,400 for fourth at the Donald Ross Championship in May in Southern Pines, N.C., then in May finished fourth again – good for $8,800 – at the River Hills Classic in Lake Wylie, S.C. Thompson finished 18th on the eGolf Tour money list last year with around $45,000 and a win at the HGM Hotels Classic at Rock Barn in Conover, N.C. For more on Thompson, who spent two full seasons on the Nationwide Tour (2007, 2008), see the story from his win earlier this year on http://www.golfblogger.co.uk/post/chris-thompson-wins-egolf-tour-2011-columbia-open-championship-9c0. Don Wojciechowski resides in the Hunters Ridge Golf Course community and plays the course on a regular basis. He's a former sports editor for a suburban Chicago daily newspaper and an avid golf fan.

GCRO Divot Party and tidbits

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:58:00 -0500

The Greater Cedar Rapids Open (GCRO) is less than two weeks away and the annual Divot Party is Sunday, July 17, typically in the late afternoon. What is it? It's a divot party! You fill in the divots (craters in some cases!) that some other hacker was obviously too busy to do when he/she played the course. (Thanks buddy!) Hey, if you're playing Hunters Ridge this week, please fill in your divot and one or two others. Mine wasn't the only back aching after our "party" last year.• Did you know Zach Johnson, who pocketed a cool $261,000 for Sunday's tie for third at the John Deere Classic (JDC), has only two Top-20s in that tournament? He tied for second in 2009. In his 10 JDC appearances, he has missed the cut three times. • Speaking of Zach, here are his four career GRCO finishes: 1999 - Tied for second in the inaugural GCRO, four shots behind winner Rob Bradley. 2000 – Tied for seventh 2001 – Won his hometown tournament. 2002 – Tied for fifth defending his title. After that, Zach had a few bigger fish to fry ... • Andy Winings, the returning defending champion from Brownsburg, Ind., currently ranks 26th in money winnings this season on the NGA Hooters Tour. Winings has made a little over $27,000. He's played in 12 events and cashed in nine, missed three cuts, and has four Top 20's. He tied for 24th earlier this month at the Victoria Texas Open. His best finish this year is a tie for sixth. Don't forget he tied for second at the GCRO in 2009. He must like it here. • Winings isn't the only Hooters Tour player headed to Hunters Ridge and the GCRO. Justin Yoder of Warrensburg, Mo., is 28th on the Hooters' money list with just over $22,000 in winnings. He's cashed in nine of 13 events and has three Top 20's. He finished 17th in the Victoria and his best finish this year is a tie for fifth in May. Connor McHenry – now there's a golf name for you – also plays on the Hooters and has cashed for around $5,500 this year. He hails from Jefferson City, Mo. Don Wojciechowski resides in the Hunters Ridge Golf Course community and plays the course on a regular basis. He's a former sports editor for a suburban Chicago daily newspaper and an avid golf fan.