Division Champions take flight at Hill Air Force Base

The Rocky Mountain Chapter took to the private-access Hill Air Force Base as the playoff rounds continue to wind down the summer slate, on August 22^nd, 2021.  Our players honored America and our service members with a USA-themed tournament beneath the roars of fighter jets overhead, while creating some roars of their own from the galleries that formed around the course. 

Danny Meaders (65) turns pro next week as he heads to Q-School, but got in one final amateur competition and he didn’t disappoint.  In a tune-up for his bigger dreams, Meaders found 6 birdies and 1 eagle en-route to his 7^th win of the 2021 APT season.  Congratulations Danny, your friends on the APT can’t wait to follow your successes at the next level! 

In Division 2, Peter Fong (76) added another division champion trophy to his mantle, his fourth of the year.   Matias Tello (79), Jay DeJesus (79) and Mike Brown (79) were all tied, three shots back.  Jay DeJesus took home 2^nd place prize money (38:40:41) on the USGA back nine tiebreaker, while all 3 players will split 2^nd-4^th place points towards the all-important POY race. 

A bridesmaid no more, as Shawn Larsen (77) wins his first APT championship in his 15^th start of the season.  A high finisher most events all season, Shawn made the turn at +1 and held on before a packed gallery on the 18^th green to see the par putt drop for a 1 stroke victory over both Dustin Criddle (78) and Josh Henshaw (78).  Criddle would win 2^nd place prize money, besting Henshaw with a better back nine, 38 to 40.  Raul Delatorre (80) had another finish inside the money line, taking 4^th place. 

The biggest story of the day belonged to Shiv Kumar Subramaniam (89).  Shiv placed himself in Division 4 at the start of the season, with personal aspirations to eventually be competitive at that level.  A true competitor, he took his lumps, but can now call himself a Division Champion on the Amateur Players Tour!  It would take more than 18 holes however as Shiv got up and down for par from the green-side rough on the par-4, 18^th to tie the clubhouse leader, Blake Stevenson (89).  The two would head back to the course for a playoff amongst a gallery of no less than 8 golf carts following the exciting action.  Both players got up and down for par on the par-5 1^st hole and two-putt pars for both as well on the par-4 2^nd hole.  The players went to the par-5 12^th and despite less than ideal tee shots for both, each found lengthy putts for birdie on a difficult green complex.  Three putts for both and on to the 4^th playoff hole they went.  A tough, long par-3 13^th saw a great tee shot from Shiv settle just left of the hole at 19 feet.  Stevenson’s tee shot was pin high, but just in the right intermediate cut.  He would throw the mark down on a 7 footer after a decent pitch shot for his second.  Shiv however, would not give him the opportunity, instead rolling in his birdie putt to pure center cup to seal the victory! 

And ANOTHER first time Champion in Jon Burningham (91) in an extremely competitive Division 5 contest.  Deyvan Torres (92) and Craig Peacock (92) were just one shot back, with Peacock taking 2^nd place prize money with a better back nine, 43 to 50.  In the Division 5 Net contest, Desi DeSaussure (72) takes home his first APT trophy.  DeSaussure tied with Michael Waltz (72), but would win with a better back nine (37:36) on the USGA scorecard playoff. 

Overall CTP winners were Peter Fong (3), Dustin Criddle (6), Mike Eames (13), and Shawn Larsen (17).  Danny Meaders about cleaned house on Super Skins, claiming three and leaving one for Matt Stevenson.

In the “Support JD Side Game”, our players raised $1025 for our friend and APT Member, Jim Dean who is recovering from heart surgery.  JD has served over 33 years in the Air Force, with the last decade plus calling Hill Air Force Base and Utah as his home. Players competed in various games (long drive, long putt, CTP and second chance CTP) on the 1st and 18th holes.  Taking home some sweet gear were Blake Stevenson (Taylormade MySpider putter), Josh Henshaw (Golf Push Cart), Raul Delatorre (Limited Edition Rickie Fowler Cobra Lob Wedge), and Peter Fong (Hubbard GC Free Round and Pro Shop Credit).  A very special thank you to Hubbard GC, Danny Meaders, and James Goodfellow for the donation of prizes and to our players for their love and support for our friend, JD.  

Congratulations to all of our Champions.  Next Up; a chance to replace a single-day score towards POY with a Saturday afternoon round at Fox Hollow GC on August 28^th.