Format Day 1 – Alternate Shot. Partners shook hands on the first tee, many playing together for the very first time. The pressure was evident on the players as they paced around making small talk while they waited to hit their first tee shot, a shot they knew their partner had to play no matter where it ended up.
First match – Evans Prairie Jeff Spangler/David Martin vs Cane Garden John Volkmann/Richard Framm. Spangler and Martin introduce themselves to each other as they have never played together before.
Spangler hits a great drive down the middle of the fairway only to have his partner, Martin, hit the approach shot into the greenside bunker. As they walk to the bunker together Martin says “sorry Jeff,” who responds “it’s OK David.” Cane Garden’s Volkmann/Framm make 3 birdies the first t10 hole to take the lead. Evan’s Prairie Spangler/Martin make a couple birdies the next few holes to even the match John Volkmann from Cane Garden was asked on the 16th tee how the match stood, and he responded, “They are making birdies like crazy!” How does the match stand? Volkman responds “we’re even.” Spanger and Martin win the 16th hole to go 1-up with two holes to go. Spangler then hits a great shot on the par 3 17th hole.
“Great shot” said Martin.
“Knock it in,” replied Spangler.
Martin steps up to Spangler’s shot and sinks the putt to win the match. Spangler walks over to Martin, shakes hands, and says “Great Putt, thanks partner.”
Martin may have put Spangler in the bunker on the first hole, but he more than made up for it on the seventeen hole by sinking the winning putt. Two golfers who started out as strangers, ended up as friends.
Six other alternate shot matches were played Wednesday in the first round, and if you were to ask any of the players involved, they would most likely have stories similar to Match 1.
Results of Alternate Shot matches Wednesday:
Evans Prairie 4 – Cane Garden 3
Spangler/Martin (Evans Prairie) def Volkmann/Framme (Cane Garden) 2-1
Magee/Ryberg (Cane Garden) def Faile/Worcester (Evans Prairie) 2-1
Bell/Prislupski (Evans Prairie) def Perkins/Paul (Cane Garden) 2-1
Kent/Reeves (Evans Prairie) def Truax/Picinich (Cane Garden) 6-5
Ellis/Gromacki (Cane Garden) def Dugger/Kita (Evans Prairie) 1 UP
Horn/Ross (Evans Prairie) def Filipak/Wollosy (Cane Garden) 4-3
Rane/Kranz (Cane Garden) def Soldi/Parker (Evans Prairie) 1-up
