Aaron Ahrendson of Manning shot a 27 hole total of even par 105 which included a final nine 33 to win the 5th Annual Bill Franey Open at the Raccoon Valley Golf Course in Jefferson on Sunday by one stroke over Scott Quandt of Carroll. Quandt had an eagle putt on the 72nd hole to tie. Quandt has finished in 2nd place four out of the last five years. Ahrendson also won the Carroll City Championship and the Carroll Country Club Championship this summer. Former Carroll Country Club Professional Joe Ward led after 18 holes only to finish two shots behind in 3rd. Carroll Country Club Assistant Professional Paul Tigges finished in 4th. Two time champion Craig Mertz finished in a tie for 10th with Troy Auen and 2007 champion Mike Eckerman finished in a tie for 8th with Steve “Cuda” Quandt.
The Raccoon Valley Golf Course suffered damage this summer on much of the course but the greens were in traditional superb condition collecting many compliments from the players.
The tournament named after Bill Franey, father of Mike Franey of Carroll who passed away in May of 2006 attracted 40 Carroll area golfers in the 65 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. Aaron Ahrendson won the final nine medalist honors with a 2 under par 33.
Other Carroll golfers in the championship flight included 1997 Carroll City Champion Terry “Wong” Olson 110, 1976 Carroll Muncipal Golf Course Club Champion Bruce Pettitt 115, Adam Pick 115, Joe Pick 111, Pat “Spanky” Vollstedt 115, Kevin Vollstedt, formerly from Manning 115 and Tom Duff 118.
Collin Hackett won in the first flight with a 78. Others in the first flight were former Carroll resident John Dukes 78, Lonny Lehrkamp 78, Andy Bernholtz 78, John Barrada 80, Tom Burns 80, Steve Auen 81, Tom Dentlinger 81. Mike Kelly was 3rd in the 2nd flight with an 81. Other scores in the 2nd flight were Dave Nelson 82, Carroll Country Club Head Pro Nick Schon 82, Sean O’Leary 83, Kevin Forke 83, Mike Franey 84, Mike Schulz 84. Tim Gute won the 3rd flight with an 84, Brian Sibenaller was 2nd with an 85, and Dr. Aaron Pick was 3rd with a 86. Others in the 3rd flight were Jim White 87, John Weber 90, Jon Hoffert 91, Mike McDermott 92, Jason Scranton 92 and Scott Tjaden 94. Scores from the 4th flight Ed Vanderheiden 102, Jake Ball 105, and Carroll Country Club Clubhouse Manager Ray Wampler 118.
The Farmer and the Junkyard Dog!
2007 Bill Franey Open Champion Mike Eckerman
Troy Auen watching one go in as Tom Duff holds the pin!
Two time champion Craig Mertz wonders where this one is going.
It's a tradition Aaron!
The 2010 Champion is all smiles with the Bill Franey Open Girls.
Lynda Dukes Franey, Sheri Mertz, Kim Hackett, Shirley Franey, Rachel Fransen, Kristy McDermott and Jacque Masching!
Shirley Franey and Jane Rowland did a great job checking in all of the players. To the right is Jan Whitver who plays a gigantic role handling all of the scoring for the tournament.
That is a wrap for the 2010 Bill Franey Open! Thanks to all of the players, volunteers and fans. See you next year at the Raccoon Valley Golf Course on Sunday, August 28, 2011.
Respectfully submitted by Tournament Director Mike Franey!
No comments:
Post a Comment