WHAT YOU WILL GET -- FIRST 1000 PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE A FREE ROUND OF GOLF. EVERYONE WILL BE ENTERED INTO RAFFLES WHICH WILL BE DRAWN EVERY HALF HOUR FOR PRIZES VALUED FROM $100 TO $600. ROUNDS OF GOLF AT AREA CLUBS WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE RAFFLE ITEMS.
WHO YOU'LL SEE -- AREA PGA PROFESSIONALS FROM GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUBS IN THE GATEWAY SECTION WHO WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR FREE LESSONS, ADVICE ON EQUIPMENT AND THE GAME OF GOLF.
WHAT YOU'LL SAVE -- SAVINGS UP TO 80% ON ALL ITEMS.
WHAT YOU'LL FIND -- DRIVERS, FAIRWAY WOODS, IRON SETS, HYBRIDS, WEDGES, PUTTERS, BALLS, SHOES, SHIRTS, SHORTS, SLACKS, SOCKS, ACCESSORIES, JUNIOR CLUBS, MENS AND LADIES APPAREL, GLOVES, AND MORE.
EQUIPMENT BRANDS YOU'LL SEE -- TITLEIST, CALLAWAY, PING, NIKE, COBRA, MIZUNO, BRIDGESTONE, CLEVELAND, SRIXON, ODYSSEY, US KIDS, AND OTHERS.
APPAREL BRANDS YOU'LL SEE -- POLO, RALPH LAUREN, CUTTER & BUCK, ASHWORTH, E.P. PRO, SPORT HALEY, TAIL, ADDIDAS, NIKE, AND MORE.
Gaus gets 2nd Consecutive Sweep at Springfield Classic
Panther Creek CC
Bob Gaus of Tower Tee GC, earned his second win in a row in the 2011 Gateway PGA Season, with another sweep of the Regular & Senior Divisions at Panther Creek CC in Springfield, IL. Gaus fired a 1-under par 71 to earn a tie for low in both divisions. He then proceeded to win the playoff over Franklin County CC pro, Shane Blankenship, on the first hole. Rounding out the top five in the Regular Division were Jeff Whitfield (Columbia, MO), Mike Tucker (Bellerive CC), and Kevin Triefenbach (Tapawingo GC), all with even par 72's.
Finishing in the runner-up spot in the Senior Division was John Hayes of Forest Hills (71). Rounding out the top five were Jeff Whitfield (72), Mark Faulkner (Lake of Egypt CC) at 73, and Tower Tee's Steve Lotz (74).
The Panther Creek CC course is in excellent condition as they prepare for the 2011 LPGA State Farm Classic next month.
Bob Gaus showed no signs of slowing down as he won both the Regular and Senior Divisions at Tapawingo GC in his first full field event since turning 50. The Tower Tee veteran Pro carded 5 birdies and 2 bogeys on the way to a one point victory in each division. The event featured the Stableford scoring system in which points are awarded based on the score on each hole. Gaus ended with 8 points, just enough to edge Host Pro Kevin Triefenbach's 7 points. Rounding out the top 5 in the Regular Division were Steve Hausmann (6), Bobby Pavelonis (6), Brian Fogt (5), and new St. Clair CC Head Pro Tom Sipula (5).
In the Senior Division, Gaus' 8 points edged Ruth Park's Head Pro Doug Castellari who ended with 7 points. Brian Fogt came home third with 5 points, while Steve Lotz of Tower Tee ended up fourth with 3 points.
The next Pro-Open on the Gateway PGA calendar will be the always popular Springfield Classic at Panther Creek CC in Springfield, IL, on May 16th.
Home field advantage proved to be no fluke as the Algonquin GC team of Jay Davis, Dr. James Rhea, Joe Terrill, and Paul Lohmueller, won the Cutter & Buck Pro-Senior at their home course. The team fired an impressive score of 15 under par to capture the title by 3 strokes on crazy weather day. Periods of rain, sun, and wind, didn't slow the team down as they took down the field on a beautiful, newly renovated, Algonquin championship golf course. Gateway PGA Professional Sam Gilliland came with the team of Rob Cissel, Bryce Harris, and Buddy Willer, from Troy, MO, to finish in the runner-up position at 12 under par. Third place went to the Bellerive CC team of Mike Tucker, Bill Gladney, Phil Otto, and Tom McConnell (-10). The top 5 was rounded out by flood escaping team from Boot Heel GC in Sikeston, MO, of Jeffrey Ketterman, Troy Dooley, Chuck Stalker, and Howard Abner (-9), and the Golf Galaxy of Fairview Heights team of Michael Wyatt, Les Ratliff, Bob Lucky, Dr. Michael Woods (-7).
Special Thanks go out to Bruce Rist of Cutter & Buck who provided all of the players in the field with a beautiful golf shirt compliments of Cutter & Buck.
The Gateway PGA Senior Team won the title in the 2011 District 7 Challenge Matches over the Midwest PGA and South Central PGA at Ledgestone CC in Branson, MO. Team members included Bob Gaus, John Hayes, Jeff Ketterman, Mark Faulkner, Mike Brengard, Jeff Whitfield, Scott Bess, & Brian Fogt. Day one 4-Ball matches were led by the duo of Bob Gaus and John Hayes, who posted the low score of the day. In the day two individual stroke play, Brian Fogt, Mark Faulkner, & Jeff Whitfield, all posted rounds of 73 to pace the team.
Blankenship Wins Tournament of Champions
Norwood Hills CC
Shane Blankenship made the trip back to St. Louis from Arizona worthwhile, by capturing the 2011 Tournament of Champions at Norwood Hills CC. Shane, with his Dad as his caddie, made 7 birdies on the way to a 4-under par round of 67 to take a four stroke victory. Rounding out the top 5 were Brian Fogt (71), Mike Suhre (72), Ty Zimmerman (72), and Nash Haxel (72).
Brian Fogt picked up right where he left off last season firing an even par round of 71 to capture the 2011 Tournament of Champions victory at Norwood Hills CC. Fogt played steadily all day making 16 pars with a single birdie and bogey on the way to his win. The win is Fogt's second consecutive victory in this event. Larry Emery finished in the runner-up spot, one stroke back at 72 while Bob Gaus (74), Jeff Whitfield (75), and Dave Levine (75), rounded out the top 5.
The team of Craig Liddle and Mike Carron won the Pro-Superintedent Challenge at Norwood Hills CC. The pair teamed up for a 6-under par round of 63 on the challenging East Course at Norwood. Also finishing at 63, but losing a playoff, was the Bellerive CC team of Mike Tucker and Chuck Gast. Third place honors were split between the Normandie GC team of Ryan Blechle & Steve Leach (64) and the Four Seasons team of Jeff Whitfield & Jim Mauer (64), while the Berry Hill team of Dave Levine & Mark Moriarity rounded out the top five at 65. The two man teams were made up of Golf Professionals and the Superintendents from area clubs. CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS
Gateway PGA Foundation Programs
Alton Middle School
The Gateway PGA Foundation has completed a very successful in-school Program at the Alton Middle School on March 4th. The four week long program consisted of teaching students the fundamentals of the game of golf. An outstanding lesson plan was put together by the Teaching Committee, and the students were instructed in all areas of the game. Todd Meyer and Barbara Blanchar led the PE classes and did an incredible job of connecting with the students. Special thanks also goes out to all of the Gateway PGA Pros who assisted in the program. Those involved included Mike Kilpatrick, Adam Rockey, Mike Brasher, Wayne Ockovic, Missy Brennan, Mike Miller, Kiev Nelson, and Kelly Newland. Look for more information coming soon about future Foundation In-School opportunities.
SkyGolf Names New Missouri Rep
Charley Kiel
SkyGolf has named Charley Kiel as it's new Sales Representative for all of Missouri. We are happy to also announce SkyGolf as a Partner of the Gateway PGA! Congratulations as we look forward to a great season together.
The Gateway PGA Senior Team won the title in the 2011 District 7 Challenge Matches over the Midwest PGA and South Central PGA at Ledgestone CC in Branson, MO. Team members included Bob Gaus, John Hayes, Jeff Ketterman, Mark Faulkner, Mike Brengard, Jeff Whitfield, Scott Bess, & Brian Fogt. Day one 4-Ball matches were led by the duo of Bob Gaus and John Hayes, who posted the low score of the day. In the day two individual stroke play, Brian Fogt, Mark Faulkner, & Jeff Whitfield, all posted rounds of 73 to pace the team. 
Shane Blankenship made the trip back to St. Louis from Arizona worthwhile, by capturing the 2011 Tournament of Champions at Norwood Hills CC. Shane, with his Dad as his caddie, made 7 birdies on the way to a 4-under par round of 67 to take a four stroke victory. Rounding out the top 5 were Brian Fogt (71), Mike Suhre (72), Ty Zimmerman (72), and Nash Haxel (72).
The team of Craig Liddle and Mike Carron won the Pro-Superintedent Challenge at Norwood Hills CC. The pair teamed up for a 6-under par round of 63 on the challenging East Course at Norwood. Also finishing at 63, but losing a playoff, was the Bellerive CC team of Mike Tucker and Chuck Gast. Third place honors were split between the Normandie GC team of Ryan Blechle & Steve Leach (64) and the Four Seasons team of Jeff Whitfield & Jim Mauer (64), while the Berry Hill team of Dave Levine & Mark Moriarity rounded out the top five at 65. The two man teams were made up of Golf Professionals and the Superintendents from area clubs.
SkyGolf has named Charley Kiel as it's new Sales Representative for all of Missouri. We are happy to also announce SkyGolf as a Partner of the Gateway PGA! Congratulations as we look forward to a great season together.