Results of Players Championship at Troon

For the final major of the year leading up to Pinehurst, the APT traveled to the desert to take on Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ.  The APT Players Championship presented by 2UNDR featured a $7,875 prize pool for the 105 players, with great swag from our friends at Projekt and 2UNDR.  The USGA max prize payout was paid to every division champion!

In Division 1, Phoenix member Jason Vega got off to a hot start, firing a 72 to take a two shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round.  John Bribiescas (Phoenix) had the most steady weekend, shooting 74-74 to finish at 5 over and earn a 2-shot victory over John Todd (St. Louis), who shot 75-75 to finish in 2nd place.  Russ Ortiz (Phoenix) finished in 3rd with a 2-day total of 77-74 151.

In Division 2, Kevin Schrum (Birmingham) shot a solid 2-over par round of 74 to take the early lead over Mani Kottaichamy (Rocky Mountain).  Schrum backed up his solid day one performance with another 74 to earn a 6 shot victory over Nicholas Evans (Phoenix), who finished in 2nd with a 2-day total of 154.  Phil VanGeersdaelen (Charlotte), finished in 3rd with a 2-day total of 155.  Rounding out the top-5 is Mani Kottaichamy (Rocky Mountain), who finished in 4th with a 2-day total of 160 and Mitchell Harrison (Southern California), who finished in 5th with 161.

In Division 3, Haris Habibovic (St. Louis) got off to a hot start, firing an 80 to sleep on the lead over Doug Stowers (Charlotte) and TJ Eaves (Upstate South Carolina), who were both one shot back heading into Sunday.  In the final round, Rick Knepp (Metro Philadelphia) shot the round of the day with a 75 to earn a 3-shot victory over Michael Konuch (St. Louis) who finished with a 79 and a 2-day total of 161.  Knepp moves up to 2nd position in the National Player of the Year Race, while Konuch moves into 3rd right behind.  TJ Eaves had 2 solid rounds of 81 to finish in 3rd position, with Charlotte’s Doug Stowers Rocky Mountain’s Shawn Larsen finishing tied for 4th with two day totals of 165.

In Division 4, Matt Thorman (Kansas City) and Steve Kane (St. Louis) shot 1st round 83’s to take a 5-shot lead over Adil Baloch (Virginia Capital) and Chris Swanson (Nashville).  Sunday belong to Kansas City’s Allen Strausbaugh, who shot a 2nd round 81 to earn a 2-shot victory over Matt Thorman (KC). Steve Kane (STL) and Mike Burgin (DFW) finished tied for 3rd with two-day totals of 173.  Adil Baloch (Virginia Capital) finished in 5th place with a 2-day total of 175.

In Division 5, Wilson Gammill (Birmingham) got off to a hot start, shooting a 84 to take a 5-shot lead over St. Louis members Jesse Baumann and Linda Bozada.  On Sunday, Jesse Baumann (STL) stayed consistent, shooting another 89 to earn a 4 shot victory over Gammill.  Linda Bozada (STL) finished tied for 3rd with Sean Tavel (Virginia Capital) with a two-day total of 184.  Don Hamblett (Birmingham) finished in 5th with a 2-day total of 186.