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Porto Cima 4 Ball Championship
April 13-14, 2013
Over 150 players gathered on April 13-14 to compete in the open and senior divisions of the MGA’s 3rd annual Porto Cima Four Ball Championship. The rain and cold we’ve experienced this spring in Missouri took the weekend off, and the field enjoyed warm but windy conditions both days. Steve Groom, part of the winning Senior division team with good friend Andy Smith, commented that the Four Ball is “The best deal going. For $175 you get to play 3 rounds at a great golf course, Porto Cima, and start the year off with a lower stress best-ball competition.”
Pictured Steve Groom and Andy Smith Senior Division Champions
Porto Cima is one of the top-rated courses in the state, and lived up to that billing during the event. The Nicklaus-designed facility offers full amenities—yacht club, pool, and fitness center. Club Manager Dean Abell invites one and all to “come take a test drive.” Dean has worked at clubs all over the world, and says he puts the Porto Cima golf, dining and overall“experience” right at the top.
The course starts with two challenging par-4s followed by a severe downhill par-3 where wind is very much a factor in club selection. And the four finishing holes, beginning with the “signature” downhill par-5 15th with a green guarded on 3 sides by The Lake, can be punishing when the wind is “up”—which it was both days.
Pictured Wayne Fredrick and Kory Bowman Champions
Wayne Fredrick and Kory Bowman won the Open division with a 2-day total of -14 (64-66). Their fine 64 on Saturday was eclipsed by a spectacular 62 (-10) posted by Judd Easterling and Mizzou’s #1 player, Jace Long. The latter duo struggled out of the gate on Sunday and never made up any ground after falling behind early against Fredrick-Bowman. Wayne said, “The turning point was on #4. Judd was 8’ away in two, but missed the putt for eagle after Kory holed a flop-shot. So we make an unexpected 3 and they had to settle for birdie.” Fredrick-Bowman backed up the eagle with birdies on 6 and 7 to lead by 3 after 27 holes. They closed with a bogey-free 66, making 2 more birdies on their inward 9 on Sunday. Easterling-Long finished with a disappointing 73 for a -9 two-day total and solo 3rd. Reigning State Am champion Nick Wilson and partner Chris Holt fired a low Sunday round of 65, but that was only good enough for 2nd at -12. As Fredrick commented on Saturday about playing with the “kids” in the open division: It didn’t seem like that big of a deal, because when Kory asks you to be his partner, you say ‘yes’ right away. He’s that good…”
The Groom-Smith team shot a -3 round of 69 on Saturday and trailed the team of Craig Colbach and Mark Elliott by a shot. Another 69 on Sunday was good enough to win by 2 over Colbach-Elliott and Mike Wilson and David Teel. Groom-Smith made more bogies (7) than their closest pursuers, but their 13 birdies led the field.
Pictured Chris Holt and Nick Wilson Runner Up