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TOUR FINALE
Thunderbird Hills North and
South
Huron, Ohio
October
2-3, 2004
They say history repeats itself, and it did this year in the second
season of The Mulligan Tour. Last
year, frontrunner Dave Hawk led going into the Tour Finale, but
finished at the back of the back and nearby competitor Gregg Roberts
rallied to win the 2-day major and take home the coveted Tour
Championship. Would a
similar situation occur in 2004 or would players learn from last
year’s mistakes?
Going into the event, Englishman Darren Parkes led the Tour, albeit by a
narrow margin. Lurking
behind him was the solid veteran Chuck Nagy, and the young newcomer
Dennis Beno. Darren had a
statement round on the first day, weathering the difficult conditions
and shot a terrific net 79. This
could have demoralized other competitors, but not Chuck and Dennis.
Dennis quietly shot a net 70 and showered Darren with beers in
the clubhouse after the round. But
Sunday was a new day, and the pressure of completing his miracle
turnaround season came down in Greg Norman-esque style.
Darren struggled and shot a gross 88 on what is a traditionally
friendly Thunderbird Hills South.
The Commissioner is currently investigating allegations of club
tossing and foul language on the part of Mr. Parkes and fines could be
handed down soon.
Meanwhile, Dennis Beno saw an opportunity and took full advantage of it
by shooting a gross 87, putting him at 2 under par for both days.
Dennis has a lot of raw talent and anyone who plays with him
can see that. Dennis
captured the 2 day title and leap frogged a freefalling Darren Parkes
to win the event and become the 2004 Mulligan Tour Points Champion.
Great job Dennis!
Chuck Nagy suffered through a mild case of jet and tequila lag as he
returned from Mexico late Friday night.
He held it together through the wind and rain on Saturday and
survived a Saturday night on Kelly’s Island to come back strong on
Sunday. Chuck ended up at
1 under for the 2 day event and also passed Darren on the Points
Leaderboard for 2nd place.
Chuck was helped by a pin shot on Day 2 as well as both Long
Drives which let him edge Darren for 2nd place by 3 points.
Rookie Bob Donay posted a good showing by putting together 2 consistent
rounds and finished in 3rd for the event.
Darren Parkes ended up in 3rd place for the season and
deserves our congratulations for his dramatically improved play.
Darren you give hope to all of us and it just goes to show that
if you work hard and practice, that your game can turnaround.
Rob Parolin, who only played in a few events this year, also
had a drastic improvement over last year as a result of a series of
golf lessons.
As you know, $2 from each event went to the year-end prize pool.
The total amount paid out to the Top 3 was $284.
2004
Year end Awards
(minimum
6 events)
Points
Leader and Tour Champion: Dennis Beno
Money
Leader : Dennis
Beno
Skins
Champion:
Darren Parkes
Comeback
Player of the Year: Darren Parkes
Ironman
Award:
Skip Fairbanks (consecutive event streak currently at
25 and counting)
Rookie
of the Year:
Tim Rath
Nice
guy of 2004:
Tim Rath
Scoring
Champion:
Darren Parkes
Congrats to everyone who participated in the finale and overall in 2004.
I appreciated all of your patience as I work through the trials
and tribulations of marriage and home ownership.
If any of you head out to play golf this fall and winter, feel
free to contact myself or any other Tour Member to join you!
I’ll be in touch. For
those of you owed money from this event, or any other event, I will
mail you a check. If you
have moved since you joined, please send me an updated address.
Thanks!
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