Results from the 20th Annual

 National Weather Service 

Central Region/NWS Golf Association Outing

2005 Championship Flight Winner:

Jon Hitchcock

June 13-17, 2005   

Brainerd, Minnesota

The 2 Legacy Courses that we played at the Cragun's Resort were rated the two best courses in the state of Minnesota according to a 2005 issue of Golf Digest!

2005 NWSGA/Central Region Golf Results

Twenty-six golfers from 10 states participated in the 20th annual NWSGA/Central Region golf outing held June 13-17 at Cragun’s Golf Resort near Brainerd, MN.   An estimated 12-15 non-golfers accompanied the golfers raising the total number of people in attendance to around 40.  The golfers had to fight steady light rain for the first nine holes on Monday…then scattered thunderstorms on the back nine...but all 18 holes were eventually finished.  Tuesday’s weather was cool with scattered light rain but the golfers were easily able to play through it…and the weather Wednesday through Friday was perfect with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures! 

The lodging and golf arrangements set up by Steve Wannebo and Jim Christenson of NWS-Duluth, MN were excellent.  The rooms at Cragun’s Resort had balconies which overlooked Gull Lake.  There were free pontoon boat rides provided by Cragun’s and excellent beach facilities.  The golfers who arrived Sunday were treated to a free buffet dinner around the swimming pool.   The NWS hospitality room was near the beach and had outside tables and seats available.  The NWS golfers had several bonfires and cookouts on the beach during the course of the week.  Fishermen Sam Lashley, Lesley Lashley and Jon Hitchcock rented a boat one evening and went fishing on Gull Lake.  They caught lots of bluegills and brought them back for a cookout.  The word on the street is that Sam’s wife Lesley caught most of the fish.  The bluegills were cooked up along with brats and hamburgers on the beach near Jim and Carol Christenson’s cabin.  

At the cookout, Brian Hahn was presented with a beautiful plaque “Certificate of Appreciation” for 20 years of leadership in the National Weather Service Golf Association and the Central Region Golf Tournament.  The plaque was signed “From your Friends and Fellow Golfers”.  Thanks very much!

The golf was held on the Dutch and Bobby’s courses at the Legacy Courses at Cragun’s.  The two courses were beautiful but pretty tough with lots of marsh and sand traps.  The NWS golfers who participated are probably going to have to replenish their supply of golf balls.  The high point of the week was a “hole in one” scored by Jerry Holliday on Friday on Hole No. 6 on the Bobby’s course.  Jerry said it’s his 3^rd hole in one.

All the results are below:

Monday June 13 Early Bird Tournament (19 golfers)

Scratch Winner – Ted Buehner-Seattle, WA  (score 83)

Handicap Winner – Rob Ferguson-guest-Carlton, MN (score 74)

Closest to Pin – Fred Pianalto-guest-Carlton, MN

Longest Drive-Rob Ferguson-guest-Carlton, MN

Longest Putt-Steve Buan-Chanhassen, MN

Tuesday June 14 Mixed Scramble (26 golfers)

1st Place (score -8)  2 teams tied:     
Chris Jakub-Wichita, KS                                  Closest to Pin – Dale Shoop
Dale Shoop-Oklahoma City, OK                      Longest Drive - Jon Hitchcock
Toby Ten Harmsel-Duluth, MN
Craig Edwards-Eden Prairie, MN

Sam Lashley-Millersburg, IN
Brian Hahn-Oconomowoc, WI
Dale Miller-West Des Moines, IA

3^rd Place (score -7) 2 teams tied

Rob Ferguson-guest-Carlton, MN
Steve Wannebo-Cloquet, MN
Tom Hultquist-Marquette, MI
Jim Christenson-Hermantown, MN

Jerry Holliday-Oklahoma City, OK

Carl Aldridge-Broken Arrow, OK
Joe Rosner-Wichita, KS

 Wednesday June 15 Mixed Scramble (26 golfers)

1^st Place (score -11) 2 teams tied
Jon Hitchcock-Warsaw, IN                     Closest to Pin – Ted Buehner
Fred Pianalto-guest-Carlton, MN            Longest Drive – Jon Hitchcock
Terry Schoeni-Overland Park, KS
Susan King-Schreiber-Chesterton, IN

Ted Buehner-Seattle, WA
Dale Shoop-Oklahoma City, OK
Joe Rosner-Wichita, KS
 
3rd Place (score -9) 2 teams tied
Sam Lashley-Millersburg, IN
Steve Wannebo-Cloquet, MN
Tom Kasko-Kansas City, MO
Craig Edwards-Eden Prairie, MN

Chris Jakub-Wichita, KS
Carl Aldridge-Broken Arrow, OK
Greg Frosig-Duluth, MN
Jim Christenson-Hermantown, MN

Thursday flag events:
Closest to Pin-Sam Lashley-Millersburg, IN
Longest Drive-Chris Jakub-Wichita, KS

Longest Putt-Susan King-Schreiber-Chesterton, IN

Friday Flag events:

Longest Drive-Jon Hitchcock-Warsaw, IN

Closest to Pin-Tom Kasko-Kansas City, MO

Longest Putt-Jim Christenson-Hermantown, MN

Winners of Thursday and Friday individual golf competition (20 golfers)

Championship Flight
Winner-Jon Hitchcock-Warsaw, IN (score 152)
2^nd Place trophy - Ted Buehner-Seattle, WA (score 159)
3^rd Place trophy - Jim Christenson-Hermantown, MN (score 162)
Horse’s ass trophy (last place-Championship Flight) Brian Hahn-Oconomowoc, WI (score 166)

First Flight Trophy Winners
1. Jerry Holliday-Oklahoma City, OK (score 167)
2. Tom Kasko-Kansas City, MO (score 169)

Second Flight Trophy Winners
1. Dale Shoop-Oklahoma City, OK (score 181)
2. Terry Schoeni-Overland Park, KS (score190)

Final Flight Trophy Winners
1. Dale Miller-West Des Moines, IA (score 195)
2. James LaRosa-Marquette, MI (score 214)

Guest Flight Trophy Winner
Rich Aldridge-Broken Arrow, OK (score 207)

Ladies Flight Trophy Winner
Susan King-Schreiber-Chesterton, IN (score 224)

Fewest Putts-2 day (Master of the Greens trophy winner)
Jim Christenson-Hermantown, MN (55)

Senior Winner-Jim Christenson-Hermantown, MN

Most Putts-2 day Joe Rosner-Wichita, KS (76)

Drink More Play Less Trophy (Greatest Collapse) Joe Rosner (92, 100)

Putting contest winner on Wednesday was Jim Christenson. ($$)

The golfer who traveled the greatest distance was Ted Buehner-Seattle, WA.

A decision on the site and dates of the 2006 golf outing will be made by Fall 2005. This week of golf is open to any current or retired NOAA/NWS employee and guests. You can play on 1 day or all 5. The format fits everyones game  and the week is full of fun and family friendly activities. Consider playing in 2006!

Contact Brian Hahn (brian.hahn@noaa.gov) or click here to get on a mailing list.

Brian Hahn-Chairman 6/27/2005
NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI