Craig Mertz wins 2009 Bill Franey Open and Wyatt Haukap cards hole in one!

Craig Mertz of Carroll shot a 27 hole total of two under par 106 to win the 4th Annual Bill Franey Open at the Raccoon Valley Golf Course in Jefferson on Sunday by one stroke over Scott Quandt of Mt. Carmel. Mertz also won the inaugural Bill Franey Open in 2006. Defending champion Wade Pettitt and 2007 champion Mike Eckerman were not in the field this year.
The tournament named after Bill Franey, father of Mike Franey of Carroll who passed away in May of 2006 attracted 24 Carroll golfers in the 56 player field. The tournament was formerly known as the Al Hoy Memorial where Bill 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 then the low 16 players qualified for a final championship nine. Adam Pick won the final nine medalist honors with a 2 under par 34.
Other Carroll golfers in the championship flight included Adam Pick 110, Pat “Spanky” Vollstedt 110, Kevin Vollstedt, formerly from Manning 114, Joe Pick 115, Lonny Lehrkamp 115, Andy Bernholtz 115, Steve “Cuda” Quandt 116 and Wyatt Haukap with a 117. Haukap recorded a hole in one on hole #5.
Terry Ruchti was second in the first flight with a 79. Others in the first flight were Steve Sinnard 81, Paul Tigges 81, Tom Duff 82, former Carroll resident John Dukes 83, Tom Dentlinger 84 and Andy Reiman 84. Dave Nelson was 4th in the second flight with an 87. Other scores in the 2nd flight were Bruce Pettitt 87, Jay Drees 89, Joe Hinners 89 and Mike Franey 90. Mike McDermott won the third flight with a 92 and Steve “Hans” Auen was second with a 92. Others in the 3rd flight were former Carroll resident Mark Cuddy 93, Jason Scranton 101 and Tom Snyder 110.

A big thanks to the Carroll girls for coming over and supporting all the golfers!

Back to Back Carroll Country Club Supper League Champions!

Your Bud Light team entered the championship match against Macke Motors with a since of determination knowing that with a good performance they would be rewarded a second straight Carroll Country Club Supper League Championship. It was evident that the match had meaning when a cart carrying Macke Motors team sponsor Gus Macke and the Supper league veteran Ken Ebner pulled up to the first tee as the clock struck 5:30. Your entire Bud Light team was informed that Macke Motors had won a Supper league championship every decade since the 60's. Welllllll this publisher is pleased to annouce that they will have to wait another year as 2009 is the year of Your Bud Light team.



The matches were set a week ago, the trash talking was over and there we stood ready to do battle. The first foursome would be 2008 Bud Light MVP Mike Schulz and your publisher Mike Franey against Captain Carpet Randy Bierl and Uncle Grandpa Bruce Pettitt. The night started slow for the 2008 MVP as he lost the first three holes to Bierl. Schulz would rebound with the help of a couple 12 ounces of swing oil provided by our great sponsor. In the end Schulz beat Bierl 11 to 7. Captain Mike Franey capitalized on several Uncle Grandpa Bruce's mistakes and topped Pettitt 13 to 7.



News of what was going on in the second match came via the Macke - Ebner Express. With the club championship success over the weekend by Steve Sinnard and long time subscriber, top local amateur, highly successful and more veteran golfer Craig Mertz your Captain voiced his concerns on Sunday about preventing "tournament hangover" syndrome in the championship match. The most beautiful words to flow into your Captain's ears were heard as the two pulled their E-Z-GO golf cart up to the East side of the #9 green! "No Tournament Hangover in this cart" they proclaim. The duo started fast as a sprinkling of birdies and an eagle appeared on the card. Long time subscriber, top local amateur, highly successful and more veteran golfer Craig Mertz shot an stellar 5 under par 32 while Car Wash Todd Pettitt shot a 1 under par 36. A match that saw Pettit challenge Mertz down the stretch ended with a 11 to 7 Mertz win! Steve Sinnard eagled #2 on his way to a 2 under par 35 and took the wings away from Flying Bob Raue. Raue was limping a little after an over the weekend water sking mishap. One has to wonder how big the risk was to go sking before a historical Supper match. Rumors surfaced last evening about the possibility of Raue joining the Macke Motors senior league team!



Overall it was just what Super Doc McCoy would have persribed, a little swing oil for the 2008 MVP, great performances from Sinnard and Mertz and your publisher taking advantage of some mistakes. A 48 to 24 win over the Tiger Woods division champion put smiles on all the faces of Bud Light nation.



I would like to thank our fine team sponsor Jim, Troy, and Steve Auen of The Ike Auen Distributing Company, all of the loyal supporters of this report and the Carroll Country Club for making 2009 a Championship year to remember!



Other news worthy items.........................

• Happy birthday wishes to Troy and Hans Auen!


• Happy birthday wishes to Kyle Atkinson.


• Congratulations to Johnny Beiter for his handicap club championship!


• Congrats to the head oil jobber Roger 'Chico' Kanne for his 56 in senior league on Tuesday!


• Way to go Eric Neu for beating Stiffstick's Captain Frank Comito on #15. I bet it made good chatter around the Neu, Minnich, Comito and Neu water cooler!


• Just a report reminder Fall League will start soon so get your partner and sign up! Odds makers have named Papa Joe Pick and Junk Yard Dog Cuda Quandt as the favorites. This publisher and Steve Sinnard are ready to take care of them.


• Congrats to Stiffsticks for beating Carroll Cycle Center for 3rd and Utilicom for beating Community Oil Company for 5th.


• Long time subscriber, top local amateur, highly successful and more veteran golfer Craig Mertz was low gross, Mark Thomsen was low net and Walsh Motors were low net team on the front nine.


• The new 50 year old Terry Ruchti was closest to the pin on #8 and also shot an even par 37.


• Congrats to Pete Collison for nailing the longest putt.


• Congrats to Carroll Country Club head pro and general manager Nick Schon for his 3 under 31 on the back nine. Rick Kasperbauer and Ryan Milligan tied for low net and the La-z-boys were low net team. Twenty time Carroll City Champion Mike "Jewels" Eckerman and Paul Tigges were closest to the pin on #17. Welcome to the club staff Paul!

That is a wrap for the 2009 Carroll Country Club Supper league! Your Bud Light team are champions! The wheels are already in motion for 2010! The year of the 3 peat! The 2009 Bud Light MVP will be announced soon!

Fairways and greens to all! This Bud's for You!

2008 and 2009 Supper league championship captain

Mike Franey

Championship Tuesday!

Bud Light vs. Macke Motors

A season that started on April 28th comes to an end tonight with a show down for the ages. Your Bud Light team will take on Macke Motors.

Making the call to the 1st tee for your Zach Johnson division will be long time subscriber, top local amateur, highly successful and more veteran golfer Craig Mertz who finished second in this weekends Carroll Country Club tourney, Steve Sinnard who finished fourth in the club tourney, 2008 Bud Light MVP Mike Schulz and your Captain Mike Franey. Bud Two Troy Auen and Bud Three Steve "Hans" Auen are off for championship night.

Reports coming out of the car wash on U.S. Highway 30 have placed the Motors line up as Car Wash Todd Pettitt, Uncle Grandpa Bruce Pettitt, Flying Bob Raue and Captain Randy Bierl.

Supper league historians have given Your Bud Light team a slight edge in the match. Your Bud Light team is averaging 38.80 points per week and Macke Motors is averaging 38.13. It is sure to be a Classic Supper League Championship match.

In other news worthy items..........

• Happy 50th birthday wishes go out to Carroll Cycle Center team captain Terry Ruchti
• Happy birthday wishes on Wednesday for Troy Auen and Steve "Hans" Auen
• Congratulations to Tom Duff for winning the Cleveland Cup in a 19 hole match last night with Frank Comito
• A big thank you to Nick Schon, beer cart Brenda Stickrod, Head Bar Keeper Jason Scranton and Ray Wampler for a very successful Club Championship

Fairway and greens to all!

Championship Supper league captain

Mike Franey

Your Bud Light team wins the Zach Johnson division and Macke Motors wins the Tiger Woods division!

The stage is officially set for next week's championship match between your Bud Light team and Macke Motors. Tuesday August 25th will be the day that your Bud Light attempts to do something that has not been accomplished in the history of the Carroll Country Club.....back to back Supper league championships! The media hype has already started with requests from major networks like ESPN, Fox Sports and Carroll Broadcasting. Aviation expert Flying Bob Raue has been put on retainer by your publisher to monitor the air space above the Carroll Country Club for next Tuesday's event. Papa Joe Pick has been appointed as the security advisor along with his side kick the junk yard dog! This night will certainly be the first big challenge for new golf professional and general manager Nick Schon. Head Bar keeper Jason Scranton will be in charge of the hospitality tents and Brenda Stickrod will have a well stocked beer cart.

Macke Motors are certainly riding into the championship match with a lot of momentum as they arose out of a week 17 dead heat with seven others to claim the divisional title. Car Wash Todd Pettitt was the week 17 MVP for the motors beating Tony Feldman 13 to 5. Flying Bob Raue collected 11 points and Grandpa Uncle Bruce and Hyvee Store director Joel Flug each earned 10 points in the victory. Randy Bierl was riding the week 17 bench and spending the night with wife Jane on her birthday but has promised to play in the championship match if requested. Team sponsor Gus Macke was unavailable for comment this morning and one has to wonder if he will make his 2009 debut in the championship match.

Leaking oil like a Jeff Gordon blown engine your Bud Light team milked their 19 point lead and scored a season low 27 points against a hot Kerps team. The Carroll Cycle Center posed a threat last night only to come up a slim 5 points short. The ole postman Gary Stark walked over your Captain beating him on the last hole, a well handicapped Ken Ebner took care of Steve Sinnard and Steve "Hans" Auen ran into a Rick Grote buzz saw. The only winner was Mike Schulz who took care of Mike Loehr. Steve Sinnard has taken over the Bud Light MVP lead from Steve Auen with Captain Mike Franey in a close third.


Other news worthy items............

• Happy birthday wishes go out to the Judge Eric Neu and Jane Bierl
• Club Championship weekend with a calcutta auction on Friday at 7!
• Congratulations to Carroll Country Club President Randy Hockom for his closest to the pin on 17 and longest putt on 18.
• Congrats to Kyle Atkinson for low gross and Jay Drees and Wade Wilkie for low net.

Look for special coverage of the championship match this week. That is a wrap for week 17 with your Bud Light team winning a second straight league divisional title. Have a great week!

2009 Zach Johnson Championship Captain

Mike Franey

Final week before playoffs....Duff and Comito into Cleveland Cup finals!

This is what we all have been waiting for! It’s week 17 where your Bud Light team puts the exclamation point on a divisional championship. For the final night of the regular season your Bud Light team will take on Subway Mike’s Kerps squad and in championship form will tee off the #1 tee of the Carroll Country Club. Making the call to the tee tonight will be 2008 MVP Mike Schulz, 2009 MVP front runner Steve “Hans” Auen, Steve Sinnard and Captain Mike Franey.

Over in the Tiger Woods division is where the real battle is brewing! Stiffsticks are the current leader by two over Macke Motors. The sticks play Bud One Jim Auen’s La-z-boys and the motors play Byron’s Boyz. Subway and Carroll Eye Clinic are tied for third just 1 point behind Macke Motors and 3 points behind the Stiffsticks. The soggy subs play Chico Kanne’s oil jobbers of Community Oil Company and the Carroll Eye Clinic play Miller Lite. Only 4 points out of the lead is Utilicom who play Commercial Savings Bank. The match of the night to watch will be the Carroll Country Club who are only 7 points out of the lead and they tee it up against Scott Kanne’s Broadband Bandits. A big night from the clubbers could vault them right into a championship. Seven out of the 12 teams in the Tiger Woods division are only 10 points out of the lead. This publisher will have extended coverage along with post match reactions from all of the matches.

Other news worthy items……….
· The 2009 Bill Franey Open will be contested Sunday August 30 at the Raccoon Valley Golf Course in Jefferson. Sign up is now going on!
· Tom Duff defeated Captain Mike Franey and Frank Comito defeated Todd Kanne in the Cleveland Cup on Saturday to advance into the championship match.
· This Saturday and Sunday is the Carroll Country Club Championship along with a player auction on Friday night at 7. Sign up in the Pro shop!

That is a wrap for the Week 17 preview. A lot could happen tonight at the Carroll Country Club. Have a great day!


Fairways and greens to all!


2008 Championship Supper league Captain


Mike Franey

A big week 16 Bud Light Victory.......Hans Auen MVP.....Goodbye Uncle Buck!

As the results of week 16 were being posted I stood on the South side of the St. Lawrence Parish watching a casket being pushed down the sidewalk to a car that waited. In that casket was my wife's uncle, Chuck Gifford or as I got to know him as...Uncle Buck! It was ironic when we first met as he was a well seasoned, respected and legendary State Farm Insurance agent and I was a young inexperienced independent insurance agent attending a family function with his niece Lynda. I have the fondest memories of Chuck! His laugh, his smile but most of all the way that he always treated me like someone that he knew all of his life.

Over the events of the past week it was apparent that he had treated a lot of people that way. The visitation lines extended from the front door of the St. Lawrence Church down the stairs and then headed South towards the St Lawrence school. Hundreds of people came to pay their respects to a guy who served his country, loved his family and protected the future of thousands with his State Farm services. As I followed the casket up the side walk from the St. Lawrence parking lot on Wednesday morning I felt my eyes well up! You see that sidewalk was lined on both sides with Chuck's State Farm family. This publisher will remember that walk forever! As the events of the day winded down I still could not quite put my hands around the fact that Chuck was gone! His final resting place is just right for him under a tree and just North of some beautiful flowers on a plot selected perfectly for him. He is gone but he will never be forgotten. Thanks for the memories Uncle Buck!

Golf just didn't seem so important this week but it went on with your Bud Light team beating Utilicom 41 to 31 to remain on the top of the Zach Johnson division heading into last week of play. Steve "Hans" Auen extend his MVP lead and was your week 16 MVP. Bud two Troy Auen and long time subscriber, top local amateur, highly successful and more veteran golfer Craig Mertz were both winners with even par 34's. Steve Sinnard added valuable points and ended up in a tie. The lead is 19 as your Bud Light team looks for another Supper League Championship. That is all that I have for week 16!

Fairways and greens to all!
Supper league championship captain
Mike Franey

Week 15 - Cycles win big.....a Bud Light loss....Hans Auen MVP and Stiffsticks on top!

On a night that I stepped on the tee against the 2000 3A High School State Champion there were big movers in both division of the Carroll Country Club Supper's league.

Your Bud Light team had only one winner in week 15 as Steve "Hans" Auen beat Tyler Grundmeier 11 to 7. Auen leads the 2009 Bud Light MVP race by .11 points over Steve Sinnard. Sinnard scrapped it out last night to force a tie with Joel Greteman. 2008 Bud Light MVP Mike Schulz lost to Head Bar Keeper Jason Scranton 11 to 7 and Captain Mike Franey lost on the last hole to Carroll Country Club General Manager and Head Golf Professional Nate Pettitt. With all that your Bud Light team suffered its first loss in weeks 37 to 35 to the Carroll Country Club. The good news is Stiffsticks took care of Community Oil Company 48 to 24 so your Bud Light team's lead is 19 points over arch rival Carroll Cycle Center.

The Cycles were victorious with the help of Bud Two Troy Auen who was crushed by J.B. Greenwell 16 to 2. With there big win over the Sharp Funeral Home the Cycles jumped Community Oil Company and Walsh Motors to climb into second just 19 points back of your Bud Light team. Jay Drees leads the MVP race for the Cycles. Lots of awards for the Cycles in week 15. Tony Bluml and Terry Ruchti were low net with a 29. Captain TR subbed for Macke Motors and defeated Rick Kasperbauer. The Cycles were low net team, Captain TR was closest to the pin on 17 and Bluml had the longest putt on 18.

In the heated race over in the Tiger Woods division week 14 leader Macke Motors were nipped by Bud One and the La-z-boys causing the motors to fall into 4th place due to the fact the Carroll Eye Clinic dilated the eyes of Scott Kanne's Broadband Bandits scoring a 51 to 21 victory. The big win moved the eye clinic into second place just 2 points behind the Stiffsticks. Utilicom continued their winning ways beating Walsh Motors 44 to 28 moving them into third place just 4 points behind Stiffsticks. Next up for Utilicom is a match next Tuesday against your Bud Light team. The moldy subs posted a fourth win in a row beating Byron's Boyz 38 to 34. Papa Joe Pick was absent as he was in Des Moines with bride Elise celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary. The Subs are only 11 points out of first place and still have a legitimate shot at the title.

Overall in the cross over matches of week 15 the Tiger Woods had the upper hand winning all but three matches over the Zach Johnson division.

Other news worthy items...........

Good luck to Nate, Kirby and Ben Pettitt in this weekends Herman Sani Golf Tourney in Johnston

Belated birthday wishes go out to Kirby Pettitt who turned 20 on Thursday.

Happy Birthday to my brother in law and report sponsor from the Super Soynut factory in Inwood Iowa Scott Lee.

Congrats go out to the Junk Yard Dog Steve Quandt for low gross in the Zach Johnson division.

Congrats go out to Scooter Volqartsen for making a big money putt on 18 in after golf.

That is a wrap for week 15. Two weeks remain and your Bud Light team is sitting on a 19 point lead. Have a great week and remember "This Bud's for you"

Fairways and green to all!

Carroll Country Club Supper League Championship Captain
Mike Franey

Another Bud Light victory, Nelson defends at Papa Joe Classic and $370 raised for Meals on Wheels!

It has been awhile since I have sat down at my keyboard to tell you what has been going on in the wonderful world of Carroll area golf. Here I go............

Week 14 recap......Last Tuesday on the fairways and greens of the Carroll Country Club your Bud Light team came out victorious over Volquartsen Customs 42 to 30 to remain at the top of the Zach Johnson division. Leading the way was week 14 MVP Mike Schulz who topped Wyatt Haukap 13 to 5. Haukap and long time subscriber, top local amateur, highly successful and more veteran golfer Craig Mertz both showed signs of "tournament hangover" from competing in the Carroll City Championship. Mertz finished 2nd and Haukap qualified for the championship round. Mertz was beaten by John Nepple 10 to 8 and was the only loss for your Bud Light team! Mertz is officially benched and is also out of state taking a family vacation to the Wisconsin Dells.

Steve "Hans' Auen was a winner over team sponsor Scott "Scooter" Volquartsen 10 to 8 and Captain Mike Franey took care of John Deere Nate Puck 11 to 7. With all of that said your Bud Light team extends their lead to 15 points.

A big Bud Light thank you goes out to the funeral directors of Sharp Funeral Home for stopping the oil jobbers of Community Oil Company 39 to 33. In a cross over match the motors of Macke Motors loss Carroll Cycle Center 40 to 32 to stay on top of the Tiger Woods division but only 1 point over Captain Frank Comito's Stiffsticks. The big winner of week 15 was Utilicom who pummeled Miller Lite 50 to 22 to move into striking distance just 1 point out of the lead in the Tiger Woods division.

Papa Joe Classic! On Wednesday and Thursday 20 area golfers teed off to start the 2009 edition of the Papa Joe Okoboji Classic at the Brooks National Golf Course just off Lake Okoboji in NW Iowa. It was a new year, a new trophy, new memories were created and when all the dust settled the same old winner standing! Digger Dave Nelson captured his 2nd in a row Papa Joe Classic Championship. The defending champion chugged a cold Bud Light from the Okoboji cup and cheered all of the spectators who were in attendance on the deck just outside of Bud's Pub. On the way home long time subscriber, top local amateur, highly successful and more veteran golfer Craig Mertz told me that no one ever remembers who got second or was the bridesmaid but I do as it was me! That's right Digger Dave beat your Captain by just 1 stroke. I am very happy though and since I have control of the keyboard let me tell you about! A second place finish in the Papa Joe Okoboji Classic was a personal best for me, Bud Two and I beat Steve Sinnard and long time subscriber, top local amateur, highly successful and more veteran golfer Craig Mertz on Wednesday something that we had not done for two years. On Thursday long time subscriber, top local amateur, highly successful and more veteran golfer Craig Mertz and I beat the Farmer(Papa Joe) and the Junk Yard Dog on the last hole! Oh yes sweet justice! A blind 200 yard shot to 1 foot put the frosting on 2009 Papa Joe Classic that I will soon not forget! Life is good!

A big thank you to all who participated in this year's Classic and I look forward to next year in the middle of July.

Par Tee 12 - On Friday Carroll Broadcasting held their 12th Par Tee Golf Classic. Your publisher had the honor of sponsoring hole #10. My ad rep Kris Boeckman along with my wife decided that it would be great to have a little fun on the hole and raise some money for a local charity so that is what we did. A board was made and Kris painted it with four cutoffs so golfers could stand behind and have their picture taken. All golfers were asked to make a small donation that would be donated to one of my favorite charities Meals on Wheels! I would like to thank all of the golfers who made donations to Meals on Wheels and $370 was raised to insure that area seniors receive the meals that they deserve. A big thank you to Carroll Broadcasting as well for a great day that was enjoyed by all!

Week 15 preview - Your Bud Light team tees off week 15 with its 15 point lead against the Carroll Country Club. The Club team usually features a couple of members of the Pettitt dynasty and head bar keeper Jason Scranton. Second Place Community Oil Company takes on the Stiffsticks who is a battle for first in the Zach Johnson division with Macke Motors and Utilicom. Macke Motors play Bud One and the La-z-boys while Utilicom take on Walsh Motors. The Carroll Cycle Center team look to move up the ranks against the Sharp Funeral Home team. Your Bud Light line up will be decided later today after team analysis is completed.

Happy anniversary wishes go out to Papa Joe and Elise Pick as they celebrate 35 years yesterday!

Supper League Championship Captain

2nd Place 2009 Papa Joe Okoboji Classic finisher

Mike Franey