Tournament Champions
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The Universal Retirement Winter Classic, a two-day event held on January 13th and 14th, 2024, attracted a field of 108 players, featuring a mix of local talent from Las Vegas and participants from around the country. The tournament unfolded across two stunning and challenging courses – Rio Secco Golf Club on Day 1 and Bear’s Best Las Vegas on Day 2.
**Division 1:**
At the end of Day 1, Jonathan Minkoff (Los Angeles, CA) took a commanding lead in Division 1, showcasing an impressive round with 5 birdies, finishing the day at -3. The following day, Minkoff continued his stellar performance, securing a wire-to-wire victory with an additional 5 birdies, concluding with a total score of -4. Nate McCutcheon secured second place, while Josh Crossen (Las Vegas, NV), the Reigning APT LV D1 Player of the Year, and National Tour Director, Matt Minder (Decatur, IL), tied for 3rd.
**Division 2:**
Jason Dunkle (Scottsdale, AZ) displayed consistency with a strong Day 1 score of 74, leading Division 2. Day 2 witnessed an intense battle between Dunkle and Steve Wallace (Tucson, AZ), On their final hole, Dunkle Bogeyed with Wallace making par, culminating in a sudden-death playoff on hole 1. After 3 playoff holes, Dunkle emerged victorious, securing the division win, with Wallace taking 2nd place and Curt Bressner (Buckeye, AZ)securing solo 3rd.
**Division 3:**
Day 1 concluded with Gary Rapoza (Henderson, NV) in the lead in Division 3, shooting an 82. The following day witnessed an epic battle between Gary Rapoza, Sean Butterfield (Las Vegas, NV), and Matt Baiza (Las Vegas, NV), ultimately resulting in a tie between Butterfield and Baiza. Aplayoff on hole #1 decided the winner, with Butterfield emerging triumphant after two holes. Baiza claimed 2nd place, and Rapoza finished in solo 3rd, just two strokes behind.
**Division 4:**
Mark Maniora (Las Vegas, NV), looking for his 2nd win of the 2024 season, and Aryanto Maramis (Corona, CA) were tied for the lead after Day 1, both shooting 89. Day 2 brought a dynamic leaderboard, with Kyle Pomikala (West Jordan, UT) fighting his way up the ranks to tie Maramis and go to a playoff where Maramis was able to secure the win. Pomikala with 2nd place, and Curtis Sharp (Tooele, UT) climbed to solo 3rd after a solid Day 2 performance.
**Division 5:**
Ben Walden (Riverton, UT) led Division 5 after Day 1, finishing with a 3-stroke lead over Daniel Hogan (Selinsgrove, PA). Walden continued his impressive play on Day 2, securing the division win by 5 strokes. James Goodfellow (Herriman, UT) claimed 2nd place, shooting a 96 at Bear’s Best and climbing 5 spots. Matt Colman (Logandale, NV) stayed solid throughout the weekend, securing 3rd place.
**Senior Net Division:**
In the Senior Net Division, Steve Wallace (Tucson, AZ) emerged victorious with a remarkable -2 two-day total. Hendra Wijaya (Las Vegas, NV) took 2nd place, and Jose Nelson Sanchez (Raleigh, NC) and Phil VanGeersdaelen (Huntersville, NC) tied for third.
In conclusion, the Universal Retirement Winter Classic delivered an unforgettable showcase of golfing prowess across its diverse divisions, leaving a lasting impression on both participants and spectators alike. The challenging courses of Rio Secco Golf Club and Bear’s Best Las Vegas witnessed exceptional performances, with Jonathan Minkoff’s wire-to-wire victory in Division 1 and the thrilling playoffs in other divisions adding to the tournament’s excitement.
A heartfelt thank you extends to all the players who contributed to the success of the event. Your participation, dedication, and sportsmanship made the Universal Retirement Winter Classic a resounding triumph. Special gratitude is extended to the Las Vegas APT members and those from APT chapters across the country who traveled to join us. Your presence and competitive spirit enriched the tournament, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and excellence.
As we celebrate the achievements and memorable moments of this tournament, we look forward to future events that continue to foster the spirit of golf and the bonds that unite us on the green. Once again, thank you to everyone involved—players, organizers, and supporters—for making the Universal Retirement Winter Classic an exceptional success.
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