Even with a two shot lead on the final hole Scott Quandt of Carroll was not totally believing he could win his first Bill Franey Open at the Raccoon Valley Golf Course in Jefferson on Sunday. After two time champion Craig Mertz blistered his drive down the middle of the fairway on the closing hole Quandt turned to his caddie Carroll Country Club Golf Professional Paul Tigges and said “with my luck in this tournament he(referring to Mertz) will probably make it from there.” Quandt has finished in 2nd place four out the 1st five years of the tournament. Quandt’s winning score of 102 is the lowest 27 hole total in the history of the tournament. Quandt most recently won the club tournament at the Carroll Country Club and has a couple of other wins this summer. “It is good to see him finally break through and win. He is a solid player” said tournament director Mike Franey. After the round Quandt said “I love playing this tournament it is awesome.”
Two time champion Craig Mertz finished three shots back in second. Micah Destival finished in third with 106 and former Carroll Country Club professional Joe Ward was fourth with 107. Former champions Mike Eckerman, Wade Pettitt and Aaron Ahrendson were not in this year’s field.
The tournament named after Bill Franey, father of Mike Franey of Carroll who passed away in May of 2006 attracted 39 of the 72 players in the field. The tournament was formerly known as the Al Hoy Memorial, where Franey served as the tournament director for 25 years. In 2006 the board of directors of the golf course renamed the tournament the Bill Franey Open.
Proceeds from the tournament support a scholarship given annually to a student training to be an electric lineman at Northwest Community College in Sheldon. Franey was a lineman for the Midland Power Coop in Jefferson for 31 years and served as line superintendent for another 10 years.
All golfers played 18 holes with the low 16 players qualifying for a final championship nine holes. Joe Ward and Scott Quandt shared medalist honors in the final round with very impressive rounds of four under par 32.
Other Carroll golfers in the championship flight were Steve Sinnard 111, Lonny Lehrkamp, who was celebrating a birthday on Sunday, 111, Eric Buttenbach, formerly of Carroll, 111, Corey Bluml and Collin Hackett 113 and Nate Ward, formerly of Carroll 117.
Steve “Cuda” Quandt was second in the first flight and Wyatt Haukap finished in third with a 77. Others in the first flight were Bob Muhlbauer 78, Tony Pietig 78, Kuemper High School Senior Matt Gute 78, Adam Pick 78, John Dukes 79, John Weber 79. Mike Gute was second in the second flight with an 81 followed by Andy Reiman with a 82. Others in the second flight were Terry “Wong” Olson 83, Papa Joe Pick 83, Tim Gute 83, Pete Collison 83, Joe Cale 83, Frank Comito 84, Paul Tigges 84, Jon Hoffert 84, Steve Sapp 85, and Dave Nelson 85. Brad Stork placed 3rd in the 3rd flight with an 85. Others in the 3rd flight were Mike Franey 87, John Beiter 88, Mike Schulz 88, Pat Macke 88, Jim White 88 and Steve “Hans” Auen 89. Golfers in the fourth flight were Matt Lujano 93, Scott Tjaden 99, Mike McDermott 106 and Scott Kanne 112.
Champion Scott Quandt enjoys a photo with the girls of the Bill Franey Open.
Lonny Lehrkamp celebrated a birthday on Sunday at the Bill Franey Open.
Former Carroll Country Club Golf Professional Joe Ward finished in 4th with a final round 32 that tied Scott Quandt for medalist honors of the final round.
A big thank you to all who participated, volunteered or attended this year's event.
Thanks,
Mike Franey
Tournament Director
Bill Franey Open Golf Tournament
