Rains Clear for the Spring Better Ball

Piqua, Ohio--After a weekend that saw two inches of rain fall on the historic course at Piqua Country Club, golfers at the Spring Better Ball were greeted with a warm sun, a nice breeze, and an afternoon of competitive golf in front of them whey arrived at the course on May 3.

Golfers  started arriving around 11 a.m. to hit balls on the driving range before the 1 p.m. shotgun start.

After lunch and receiving the day's instructions from the MVGA's Steve Jurick, contestants raced their carts to the tees in anticipation of blasting their first drive.

Play consisted of four divisions: Scratch golfers, Senior Scratch, Handicap and Senior Handicap.

In the Scratch Division, the team of Jeff Scohy and Billy Sutterlin's score of 68 barely edged out Bob Jones and Keith Gressner's score of 69. The teams of Doug Eakin/Dave Larger and Steve Petticrew/Josh Shine made things interesting by shooting 70 and tying for third place. 

The Senior Scratch Division belonged to Jim Snyder and Rick Bachman. Their score of 69 edged out Bill York and Jim Sass by two strokes.

The Handicap Division saw Harry Williamson and Carl Whitener run away from the competition with a net score of 59. The 13-under performance beat out Brian Kretzer's and David Penrod's score of 65.

In the Senior Handicap Division, Mark McKinney and David Back's round of 63 proved to be just enough to defeat the teams of Fred Reuer/Fred James and Terry Groeber/Eddie Frye, who finished tied for second with a score of 64.

Following play, golfers made there way into the club house to share stories of the days event and to enjoy some cold beverages. Skins were also awarded, and the top finishers were given awards.

News and notes:

* Bob Vogelwon the par-3 contest presented by Ross Motor Cars. Vogel came within 4 feet 3 inches of the hole. Before Vogel teed off, the closest measurement was 4 feet 11 inches. For this achievement, Vogel won the use of a Mercedes Benz for a weekend, compliments of Ross Motor Cars.

* Did you have nightmares about hole 6 last night? If you did, it shouldn't come as a surprise. Statistically, this hole proved to be the most difficult hole on the course. The par-4, 402 to 434 yard (depending on where you tee off), averaged 4.80 strokes per player. There were only two birdies on the hole.  Twenty players achieved par, 36 scored bogies, 18 scored double bogies, and four scored over double bogey.

Number 8 was the easiest hole of the day. The 480 to 516 yard par-5 averaged 4.88 strokes per player. Twenty golfers achieved birdies, 30 reached par, 24 shot birdies, and four shot double bogies.

Overall, there were no gross eagles for the day, but there were 106 birdies. There were also 31 scores beyond double bogey for the day.

* Scores from yesterday afternoon have been posted to your GHIN records as a tournament score.

*To view photos from the event, click here!

72 - Ray Louis / Mark Greene

72 - Karl Frydryk / Terry Duffy

74 - Joe Goodall / Bob Johnston

75 - Bob Keller / Garry Moore

76 - Jeff Jena / Kevin Eversole

82 - Mark Allen / Mark Shrewsbury

68 - Billy Sutterlin / Jeff Scohy

69 - Keith Gressner / Bob Jones

70 - Doug Eakin / Dave Larger

70 - Steve Petticrew / Josh Sine

71 - Andy Platt3 / Ben Roelle

71 - Bob Wagner / Brian Hodgson

72 - Greg Pate / Emery Shumaker

72 - Chad Sherrill / Andy Arp

73 - Evan Houdieshell / Alex Huang

74 - Jon Brading / Keith McGillvary

76 - Mike Soehner / Dean Edgemon

76 - Matt Maxwell / Brian Yeakley

76 - Bill Colopy / Ben Davies

76 - Troy Morgan / Mike Lawson

77 - Jeff Bollinger / Mike Wardley

77 - Nick Scott / Alec Tahy

Senior Handicap 

63 - Mark McKinney / David Back

64 - Fred Reuer / Fred James

64 - Eddie Frye / Terry Groeber

65 - Jerry Rathmann / David Schrader

65 - Doug Strain / Robert Vogel

66 - Ron Conard / Bob Horner

72 - Rick Pummill / Tim Cornell

73 - Mark Florence / Gregory McCracken

74 - Mike O'Bryan / Dale Mills

Handicap 

59 - Carl Whitener / Harry Williamson

65 - Dave Penrod / Brian Kretzer

65 - Dan Sutherly / Michael Elleman

65 - Terry Daugherty / Chris Francis

66 - Tim Smiley / Dan Price

69 - Michael Dadaian / Darma Adiapen

69 - Dave Snow / Skip Snow

74 - Peter Selten / John Templin

75 - Larry Couchot / Jim Kerg