Bet on Uncle Bruce this Sunday......Farmer and the Dog falling fast....Happy Birthday Elise, Jim and Zoe.....Randy Kruse Awarded Manager of the Year!

Sunday we do what our friend loved to do Golf, Bowl and Gamble! Cheers to you Bruce!

This Sunday is the Bet On Uncle Bruce event on the east side of Carroll. Stop down to the car wash and get your team signed up! 

The two time champions are poised for three in a row! Get your team together and knock off the defending champions. 

The frustration was visible on Sunday afternoon at the Carroll Country Club as Produce Tom Duff and myself beat the club's most famous couple...the farmer and the dog. Reports from the Muni also indicate that two have been unable to win a match against Produce and his partner Lonny Lehrkamp at the Muni all summer. What is causing this down hill spiral? This report will continue investigating this saddening situation. 

The famous apples are back at your Carroll HyVee! Thanks Dave! 

Former Carroll Resident  and Carroll HyVee Store Director Randy Kruse has been awarded Manager of the Year form the Food Marketing Institute. Check his article out on page 10 of the most recent HyVee Seasons magazine. Congratulations Randy! 

Happy Birthday to Elise Pick, Zoe Ruchti and Jim Selby today! 

As Always "This Bud's For You" and ON IOWA!

Happy Tuesday to all! 

Mike 

Mid Iowa chips their way to a Supper League Championship.......Mertz wins 3rd Bill Franey Open......Happy Birthday Troy and Hans and It's time for Hawkeye football!

The final night of Men's Supper league included the championship match between Mid Iowa against Stiff Sticks along with the annual steak night.

2014 Carroll Country Club Supper League Champions

 Mid Iowa wins the 2014 Carroll County Club Supper League in a chip off!

Bud one Jim Auen was taking on Paul Tigges. This match came down to the final hole and ended all square. A hot putter kept Tigges in the lead in the match although a missed Tigges putt for bogey on #7 let Auen tie the match up.  Their match ended up tied. Produce Tom Duff was too much for Doc Sporrer. Duff's one under 36 would prove to be crucial to the low net team.

 Frank Comito had complete control over his match with Ed "Catfish" Tomka. Mike Nelson drained a putt from off the green on #8 to stay one up on Papa Joe Pick. Nelson went on to make a tough down hill par putt on #9 to seal the victory.

 In the end the match ended in a tie. Head Golf professional Nick Schon selected a spot just over the bunker on the east side of the green for the chip off. Mid Iowa selected Tom Duff and Paul Tigges to represent the team. Stiff Sticks selected Fairway Frank Comito and Bud one Jim Auen. Paul Tigges chipped the closest which  awarded the Mid Iowa Team the Championship

Stiff Sticks finish second for the second straight year. The player contracts were signed and notarized before the team finished with the steak night meal and the same team will return next year.

A championship celebration is being planned for a later date at the Carroll Country Club.

Defending Champions Volquartsen Custom beat Carroll Cycle Center for third place. Graddy's Salsa beat Budweiser for the Runner up flight championship and Byronz Boyz won the consolation flight.

Mid Iowa also won the ladies league at the Carroll Municipal Golf Course.

A big thank you to Nick Schon, Daniel Fitzpatrick and Brian Billmeier from the golf shop and Jeremy Rierson and his staff for all of the great work this year!

The ninth annual Bill Franey Open was contested Sunday on the toasty fairways and greens of the Jefferson Golf Course. A solid field of 78 players started the day with dreams of being crowned the champion of the event named in honor of Bill Franey of Jefferson. In the end long time subscriber, top local amateur, highly successful and more veteran golfer Craig Mertz found his name at the top of the leader for the third time in the nine years of the tournament. Mertz won the inaugural Bill Franey Open in 2006 and in 2009.  

Champion Craig Mertz, Mike Franey and Shirley Franey

Mertz trailed Jay Urdahl of Mason City by two at the start of the final nine. Standing on the 5th tee was the first time that Mertz thought he may have a chance to win the championship and that is all it took as the competitive juices started to flow for the former champion. As the sun set on a wonder day of golf Mertz putted out on nine with a two shot victory over Scott Quandt. Quandt is no stranger to the runner up position as he has finished second six times before breaking through and winning the event in 2011.

The Championship Flight

John Dukes, Zach Riddle and Chad Kanne

Eric Buttenbach, Nick Schon and Mike Mumma

Fellow Jefferson graduate Dean Dozier, Bill Douglass, Mike Eckerman and Tom Duff

Champion Craig Mertz, Corey Bluml, Scott Quandt and Jay Urdahl

The tournament named after Bill Franey, father of Mike Franey of Carroll who passed away in May of 2006 attracted 75 players. 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.

A big thank you goes out to all of the golfers who participated on a hot August day. Thank you to Joe and Craig Cuddy along with Susan Timmerman for all of their hard work in the club house and on the beer cart. I certainly hope that Susan was tipped well enough to get her Coach purse. A huge thank you to all of the ladies who brought the delicious salads that is such a key part of the tourney's success. Thank you Bret Madson for all of your hard work on the golf course. I have known Bret all of my life and his passion and attention to detail on this golf course is a truly amazing commitment.

Thank you to Auen Distributing, Eckerman Jewelry, Mid Iowa Insurance and Real Estate, Northwest Community College and Market on 30.  

A good picture that I had on file! 

Happy Birthday to Troy and Hans Auen! Happy anniversary to Dave and Gina Nelson. 

It is time for your Iowa Hawkeyes to take the field on Saturday against a very tough UNI team. Go Hawks! 

Thoughts and prayers go out to Phil "PAPA" Dukes on his recent foot surgery that stems from a fall in Mexico back in June at the 40th birthday celebration for his son John Dukes. 

Wellll! That is a wrap for this week around the area. Fall league starts next Tuesday and my league partner Kyle Atikinson will be in vegas checking out the odds of us winning the championship so Nick Schon will fill in for him in week one. 

Have a great week! Fairways and greens to all!

As always "This Bud's for you" and ON IOWA! 

Championship owner

Mike Franey 

Title Match is set: Stiff Sticks vs. Mid Iowa Team.........Condolences to the Pollastrini family........IGA play day is September 22nd......Rivalry Cup a hug tradition in the making.

Happy Friday to all!

The title match for the 2014 Men's Supper League is set! The Carroll Country Club's most mature team Stick Sticks beat the Carroll Cycle Center to advance into the finals. Bud One Jim Auen took care of the reigning Carroll city champion, Corey Bluml. Mike Nelson beat Head Hog Terry Ruchti. Fairway Frank Comito was beaten by Tom Drees and Randy Hockom was beat by Jamming Joe Hinners. To the cards they went to determine low net team. Stiff Sticks prevailed with an one stroke victory earning a spot in next week's final showdown.

Mid Iowa Team advanced to the finals by upsetting the defending champions of Volquarsten Custom. Papa Joe Pick beat Kevin Forke, the subbing team sponsor Mike Franey beat Cable Chad Kanne and Paul Tigges got by Kyle Atkinson. On course reporters think that Atkinson was just looking ahead to the upcoming fall league where his is scheduled to play with this publisher. The only win for the gun shop was Nic Volquartsen who beat Catfish Ed Tomka. Steve "Cuda" Quandt was on the injured reserve.

The dog is down and out! 

Photos obtained from the vet clinic from an unidentified source show that the dog was resting peacefully on his night off.

The unidentified source went on to say that a decision on the  "The Junkyard Dog's" medical status is due on Friday. The dog is scheduled to play in the Bill Franey Open in Jefferson on Sunday as well. The other half of the most famous golfing couple the farmer said "I real feel bad that the dog had to miss the semi-finals with an ailing back. I truly believe that he will be back for the championship match on Tuesday."

After extensive research and certainly with the normal fair and balanced reporting this publisher thinks that with all of the years of Supper League experience that Stiff Sticks go into the championship match a slight favorite.

Here are all of the results and brackets from Supper League. Look for team coverage next week as the Supper League comes to a close.

Mid Iowa Team and the favorite Stiff Sticks for the championship next week!

On Monday, August 18th Ray Pollastrini left his home on 21st Street for his final resting spot. I got to know Ray over the years and really enjoyed playing the card game 31 with him and his lovely wife Betty. Ray was the owner of the legendary Pokey's along with the famous carmel apples. Ray was a story teller and loved to talk some Italian. I can only imagine what he was saying! Ray leaves behind his wife Betty of 60 years, an amazing family and many friends.

Ray's son Mark led the toast at the funeral luncheon and quoted his dad. "When dad met someone he would say Hey you.....Paisano! He was referring to the table wine that all the family and friends have enjoyed over the years!

On the way to the cemetery the workers replacing the sidewalks on Grant Road stopped, removed their hats and place them on over their hearts as Ray went by. Very thoughtful!

It was my pleasure to have met him and his family. I will keep an eye on the candy kitchen Ray to make sure those delicious apples and squares keep blessing the shelves at the Carroll Hyvee!
Rest in peace Ray and may there be an endless jug of Paisano waiting for you!
.

The Iowa Golf Association annual play day is at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club on Monday, September 22nd. Contact Chad Kanne for all of the details.

At press time close to 80 golfers were signed up for the 2014 Bill Franey Open. Thanks to all of you for participating and look for all of the results right here!

This past Saturday the Rivalry Cup that brings golfers from Carroll High and Kuemper Catholic to the fairways and greens was a huge success at the Carroll Country Club!

The famous swing of Coach Larry Clark!

It did not matter what color your shirt was on Saturday everyone was cheering on "Coach Clark" stripe it down the middle and sending Kuemper to the tee first.

A great turn out! Congratulations Brad Hempstead and everyone who helped, donated or participated in the 2014 Rivalry Cup! Two schools supporting one town!

Congratulations Terry on 25 years as the Head Hog! 

Only eight days remain before your Iowa Hawkeyes take the field against the UNI Panthers. Go Hawks!

That is a wrap for this week!

As always "This Bud's for you and ON IOWA!"

Mike Franey

Mid Iowa slips by Bud Light......Welcome Jace and Jemma...Bud One is the Uncle Bruce Player of the Week....Jewels is the Senior Champion!

Happy Friday to all!

The Supper League playoffs continued this week at the Carroll Country Club. The premier match up was Your Mid Iowa Team vs. Your Bud Light Team. Long time subscriber, top local amateur, highly successful and more veteran golfer Craig Mertz beat Papa Joe Pick on the last hole and Mike Franey made quick work of the Junkyard Dog Cuda Quandt. It was a bad week for golf's most famous couple as they lost to Duff and Lehrkamp on Wednesday at the Muni for the Senior City Tourney. Bud Two Troy Auen lost to the playing pride of Willey Iowa Paul Tigges and Mike Schulz lost to Produce Tom Duff. In the end it went to the low net score and Mid Iowa prevailed by three strokes. 

Next up for your Mid Iowa Team will be the defending league champions Volquartsen Custom. The gun shop beat a hot Carpet One team 6 to 4. Chad Kanne and Casket Kyle Atkinson beat Easy Ed Vanderheiden and Brad Hempstead. Colin Bierl and Jon Sturm beat Boomer Lechtenberg and Kevin Forke. 

Welcome to Jace and Jemma Volquartsen

Congratulations to Steph and Nic on their two bundles of joy! 

The other matches in the championship match saw the Carroll Cycle Center shut off the water to the Highway 30 Car Wash 8 to 2. The current Carroll City Champion was the only loser for the cycles falling to Car Wash Todd Pettitt. The champ was carried by Captain Terry Ruchti, Jamming Joe Hinners and Jay Dress who beat Curtis Stork, Randall Road Bierl, and Jeff Minnich. 

Next week the cycles will face Supper league's most mature team Stiff Sticks. The sticks took care of Ag Venture. Bud One Jim Auen carried the team with his hot sticks shooting a 31 and blanking Brady Evans 9 to 0. Templeton's Doc Sporrer was a winner over Clint Cummings. Denny Kasperbauer was the only winner for the team beating Magic Mike Nelson. Fairway Frank Comito and Neal Cross tied their match. 

So next week will set the championship match.

Mid Iowa vs. Volquartsen Custom

Carroll Cycle Center vs. Stiff Sticks

Supper League experts at the round table give the early edge to a Mid Iowa victory over Volquartsen and a Cycle Center upset of Stick Sticks. 

As a graduate of the Uncle Bruce school of handicapping this publisher also sees a Mid Iowa win over Volquartsen. The farmer will get control of his dog and that will prove to be the difference in this one. 

The cycles and the stiffs match is a toss up to me. How will the champ react after the Rivalry Cup? Will a red hot Bud One show up again? This one will be a battle! 

The Uncle Bruce player of the week is Bud One Jim Auen!

Other league action.....

Graddy's Salsa blanked Computer Concepts. The Salsas will play Carroll Glass slipped by Family Medical Center

Champion Ford beat Feld Security and Budweiser beat Linde Equipment

Mike "Jewels" Eckerman shot 64 at the Carroll Municipal Golf Course to take Senior City crown. 

Happy Birthday to Paul Milligan!

This report send condolences to the family of Robin Williams. He has made all of us laugh over the years. 

Bill Franey Open is Sunday, August 24, 2014

That is a wrap for this Friday morning. Good luck to everyone at the Rivalry Cup tomorrow.  Two great schools one great city.....Carroll It's All Here! 

Take care

As always "This Bud's For You" and ON IOWA!

Mike

Bluml wins City.....Louis takes Senior crown.....Kirby third at the Sani....Bill Franey Open less than two weeks away!

The final three foursomes in the championship nine all were chasing Corey Bluml after a sizzling 64.

Steve"Cuda" Quandt, Kyle Christensen, Randy Hockom and T.J. Tassell

Zach Riddle, Mike "Jewels" Eckerman, defending champion  Kyler Ludwig and Matt Fleshner

Corey Bluml, Justin Yetmar, Craig Mertz and Kyle Atkinson

 The top four finishers in the 2014 Men's City Tourney. Mertz won the City Championship in 2002. Eckerman is a six time champion with all of them coming in the 90's.

Champion Corey Bluml, 4th place Craig Mertz, runner up Mike Eckerman and third place Justin Yetmar

 A big thank you to Nick, Jeremy, Jim and the entire staff at the Carroll Country Club, Brenda, Foots and staff at the Carroll Municipal Golf Course for a great tourney. We are so lucky to have two great golf courses in Carroll.

The 65th Herman Sani Tournament was held this weekend at the Hyperion Field Club in Johnston. Kirby Pettitt finished -15 and in third place. Ben Pettitt finished -6 tied for 14th and Wade Pettitt finished -5 tied for 17th. Wade shot a 66 on Sunday.
Here is the final leader board.

Condolences go out from this report to the Quandt family on the loss of their mother....Mary Helen Quandt

That is a wrap the weekend report. Tomorrow night is the showdown that ESPN is calling "an epic clash."  Your Bud Light Team vs. The Mid Iowa Team. Look for coverage of this battle right here in the golf report

As Always "This Bud's For You" and ON IOWA!

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Franey

Carroll City Tourney - Day One

Sixty players teed off at the Carroll Country Club on Saturday for the Carroll City Tourney. Play will continue on Sunday at the Carroll Municipal Golf Course. Here are day one results.

Senior Division

Follow all the action from the 2014 Herman Sani -  Herman Sani Scoreboard

Good luck to all 

Mike

Happy Birthday Mema......Bill Franey Open.....Mid Iowa Team peaking and ready for showdown.........Dale Jr wins #3.....Budweiser downed and City Tourney this weekend!

Happy Birthday to Caryl Dukes! 

The 9th Annual Bill Franey Open is just around the corner! 

Your Bud Light team is poised and ready to make a run at the 2014 Men's Supper League championship. After a first round bye the time off has treated the two time league champs well and all preparations are going into a match up for the ages next week. Bud Light vs Mid Iowa Team!

The Mid Iowa Team are the hottest team in the league as they shattered the entire glass factory of Carroll Glass 10 to 0. The shut out is the worst loss in franchise history for the glass cutters. With their victory the Mid Iowa Team earns the chance to play your Bud Light team next week in round two of the playoffs. The mouthpiece #2 of the Mid Iowa Team Tom Duff said after the round "We are peaking at the right time and are ready for them." Well Mr. Duff you got your wish and we will see you on the #10 and #11 tees next Tuesday night. A sleepless week is predicted for Papa Joe Pick as he has nightmares about the showdown with Supper League's most  favorite team! 

Carpet One advances into the second round to meet the defending league champions Volquartsen Custom. The gunners had a bye in week one. According to league records the carpets and Graddy's Salsa's tied their match although the carpets were able to advance. Brad Hempstead the only winner for the carpets and Rowdy Rick Grote led the smashed tomatoes. Grote is coming off a second place finish at the Papa Joe Classic. 

Carroll Cycle Team bounced Budweiser into the runner up flight with a 8 to 2 victory. Corey Bluml beat GPS Bob Pudenz, Jamming Joe Hinners beat Fred Dolezal, and Terry Ruchti beat the Legend Joel Harris. The only loss for the cycles was by a subbing Craig Mertz who lost to Johnny Greteman. The cycle earn a free car wash in week two. Budweiser will play Linde Equipment. 

Supper league's most mature team Stiff Sticks beat Champion Ford. The motor cars have been in a slump for several weeks and need to figure out how to put their car in drive and not in  reverse. Bud One Jim Auen beat Monument Man Loren Boyce. Bud One was very confident about his team's playoff chances during an interview at the Ike Auen world headquarters on south Grant Road Monday morning. Magic Mike Nelson beat Steve Herrin, Randy Hockom tied Digger Dave Nelson and Wade Wilkie was the only winner for the motor cars beating Templeton's own Doc Sporrer. Next up for the sticks is Ag Venture. 

In the battle of the Glidden based teams Linde Equipment beat Byronz Boys 7 to 3. Brad Woodward beat Rich Hartley and Bob Linde beat Tony Feldman. P.J. Greteman the only winner for the Boyz with a win over Aaron Juergens. The Linde Boys earn a week two spot with Budweiser. 

Feld Security blanked Community Oil 10 to 0. Ron Badding led the team.  One has to wonder about the fall of the oil jobbers and what off season work will be done. The security company plays Champion Ford next week. 

This publisher carried Family and Specialty Medical over Fleggard. In a side note Fleggard did not show up. 

Verizon Wireless, Byronz Boys and Commnity Oil have a bye next week. 

So the championship flight is set for next week

Overall #1 seed and defending Champions Volquartsen Custom vs Carpet One

Your Bud Light Team vs The Mid Iowa Team

Highway 30 Car Wash vs Carroll Cycle Center

Ag Venture vs Stiff Sticks.

JR Nation were all smiles on Sunday in Pocono!

The Carroll City Tourney will be contested this weekend with Saturday play at the Carroll Country Club and the tourney will finish up on Sunday at the Carroll Municipal Golf Course. Local golf historians have Corey Bluml, Muni Club Champ Matt Gute, Long time subscriber, top local amateur, highly successful and more veteran golfer Craig Mertz, Mike "Jewels" Eckerman, defending champion Kyler Ludwig, Justin Yetmar and Carroll County little golfer Mike Badding as the favorites. 

We are under three weeks not away from the start of the football season. Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes are preparing and will be ready for UNI an 11:00 on August 30th.

Two time champion Papa Joe Classic Digger Dave Nelson attempting a putt for $10,000 last Friday in Par-Tee 17. A great effort Mr. Nelson.

The Papa Joe Classic donates to Relay for Life!

Good luck to all of the area students heading back to school and travel safe!

That is all I have for this week! I hope to see you all out this weekend either playing or watching the City tourney. We are so lucky to have two quality golf courses to contest this championship. 

Fairways and Greens to all!

As always "This Bud's For You" and ON IOWA! 

Mike Franey

Henkenius wins Papa Joe Classic...... Matt Gute over powers the Muni to win the club championship.....Bud Light's quest for championship starts tonight with a bye!

Forty five guys woke up last Thursday dreaming about winning the 2014 Papa Joe Classic on the fairways and greens of Brooks National Golf Course. In the end Mother Nature got the upper hand and shortened the 36 invitational tournament. The tournament was reduced to and scored on just the scores from Wednesday's play. Rowdy Rick Grote and Pat "Hank" Henkenius were tied at 66 and Mike "Jewels" Eckerman and Mike "Mouthpiece" Franey were tied at 67. The tournament was decided on hole #4 of the Yellow course where Henkenius edged Grote for the championship and Eckerman prevailed over Franey for third.

2013 Champion John Dukes presents the new champ with the cup!

The tradition of drinking out of the cup.

Papa Joe and the champ

The Champions Board

Special guest Dan Dan the Liquor Man along with Bud Two Troy Auen and Kevin Forke

The champions table

A great dinner at Minervas

Bobby all smiles with his door prize

Jewels Eckerman awarded low gross with a sizzling 66 

Champion John Dukes and Tournament Director Mike Franey

No hole in ones were paid out this year

The Papa Joe Classic makes a $500 donation to Relay For Life! Let's beat cancer! 

The highly anticipated player's auction was rained out and not paid out this year. The players made a donation to the Carroll County Relay For Life for $500 to help eliminate cancer! Another successful tournament . Thanks to all of our sponsors! Mark your calendars for next year July 15 and 16!

Tonight starts the Supper League playoffs. Your Bud Light team has a bye and will start the quest for a third championship next week.

Good luck to all.

Things of note............

• Happy 40th Anniversary to Papa Joe and Elise Pick! 
• Congrats to Steve "Cuda" Quandt on a hole in one on Friday. 

That is a wrap and sorry for the delay of reporting. Technical difficulties I guess. 

On IOWA and Go Hawks! 

Mike