Document text
65 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, September 10, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 3, 2004 Brad Bills tees off on a par 3 during Thursday�s opening round of match play in the 75th Southern Oregon Golf Tournament at Rogue Valley Country Club. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Bills can still make his foes pay Former SOGT champ bags win over Stark in first round of match play at RVCC By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Brad Bills’ golf game isn’t what it was in the 1990s when he won the Southern Oregon Golf Tournament men’s regular-division title in 1993 and finished runner-up in ‘95 and ‘98. A decade ago, Bills logged several rounds of golf per week and played in a number of summer tournaments, all the while coaching the North Medford High boys golf team. But now that he has kids to raise and serves as the executive director of Rogue Valley Youth for Christ, Bills is lucky to hit balls twice a week and sneak in an occasional nine or 18. "I don’t feel very tournament-tested these days," he admits. But the 45-year-old remains a highly competent golfer and he proved it Thursday during the opening round of match play at the Southern Oregon tournament when he posted a 4-and-3 win over Ted Stark. Other first-round, men’s championship flight winners included the four golfers who tied for medalist honors during qualifying: Brooks Newsom, Glen Clark, Nick Nieto and Rick Dimick. Advertisement Newsom rolled to a 7-and-6 victory over Jerry Sessions; Clark posted a 1-up win over Pete Rathburn; Nieto registered a 6-and-4 triumph over Geoff Loomis; and Dimick earned a 4-and-3 verdict over Raef Lillesve. Kevin Klabunde, last year’s runner-up, advanced with a 5-and-4 win over Jeff Barry. Bills did little to establish himself as a serious contender Thursday as he posted a score of 4-over par through 14 holes, with only a couple birdies. "That’s not going to beat the best players out here," Bills admitted, "although I know I can play better than I did today." Stark, a former standout quarterback at South Medford High School who went on to play football at the University of Washington, hit two shots out of bounds on the front nine and trailed by three shots after eight holes. But he regrouped with three straight pars to creep within one hole as the two golfers headed to the 12th. Neither competitor was able to reach the par-5 hole in regulation, but Stark compounded his woes by three-putting from 20 feet for a double bogey that put Bills back to 2-up. "That might have been the turning point because I had some negative thoughts going through my head," said Bills, who found himself on the back of the green after four shots and had to scramble to make bogey on the 12th. "If he wins that hole he’s got a lot of momentum and we’re all even." Instead, Stark lost the hole, and a bad situation got worse when he missed a 6-foot par putt on the 14th hole to fall 3-down. Bills closed him out on the next hole with a routine par. "Ted is always a dangerous opponent because he’s a good athlete who has played competitively in a lot of different sports," Bills said. "I know today wasn’t his best day." The victory earned Bills a matchup today against Johan Willhoite, who nearly fell victim to a big upset Thursday. Willhoite, a 21-year-old who competes for College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif., needed sudden death to turn back Medford’s Rick Dyer. Dyer could have won the match on the 18th hole, but he missed an 8-foot par putt that forced the match to the 19th, where Willhoite won with a birdie. "I had five three-putts," lamented Willhoite, who shot 72 in qualifying. "I lipped out an eagle putt on the first hole and could never get my putter going." Mark Binegar, the only three-time champion in the men’s regular division field, needed two extra holes to beat Mark Wilson. Other contenders moving on were Bret Breeze, who hammered out a 7-and-5 win over Chris Campbell; Justin Wise, who cruised to an 8-and-7 victory over Sam Garcelon; and Tim Croft, who pulled out a 4-and-3 win over Greg Findley. In the women’s division, all four of the Nealy sisters — Molly, Johnna, Josie and Amanda — posted first-round wins, as did medalist Nettie Morrison. Defending junior-senior champion David Boals got off to a good start with a 7-and-5 victory over Steve Skinner, but defending men’s senior division champion Bob Harrell wasn’t so fortunate as he dropped a 1-up decision to Brent Orrico. The tournament continues through Monday. Thursday’s Results REGULAR MEN Championship Flight B. Newsom, Colombia Edgewater, d. J. Sessions, Deerwood, 7 and 6; B. Barr, RVCC, d. E. Ford, RVCC, 4 and 2; D. Gorman, Plateau Club, d. J. Christensen, RVCC, 1-up; M. Finnell, The Hideaway, d. R. Moore, Cedar Links, 2-up; A. Browne, RVCC, d. J. Paladino, Eagle Point, 3 and 2; J. Mansfield, Birch Hills, d. S. Lewis, Cals Caddyshack, 2 and 1; D. Mayer, RVCC, d. S. Reed, RVCC, 4 and 3; G. Englund, The Reserve, d. S. O’Grady, The Reserve, 1-up; M. Binegar, Pleasant Valley, d. M. Wilson, Medford, 1-up; K. Klabunde, RVCC, d. J. Berry, RVCC, 5 and 4; G. Sterton, San Juan, d. J. Perrish, RVCC, 1-up; B. Breeze, RVCC, d. C. Campbell, Cedar Links, 7 and 5; M. Holman, RVCC, d. K. Dixon, RVCC, 1-up; A. Rayburn, RVCC, d. B. Foote, RVCC, 4 and 3; F. Clugage, Pastiempo, d. J. Cox, RVCC, 2-up; G. Clark, RVCC, d. P. Rathbun, Oakway, 1-up; L. Miller, Reames, d. M. Galante, RVCC, 2-up. M. Morlan, RVCC, d. K. Schneider, Oswego Lake, 2-up; M. Spiegel, Harding Park, d. R. Warner, RVCC, 5 and 4; J. Willhoite, Desert Willow, d. R. Dyer, RVCC, 1-up; B. Bills, Stoneridge, d. T. Stark, Portland, 4 and 3; B.J. Boeck, Heron Lakes, d. T. Boersma, Grants Pass, 6 and 5; N. Nieto, RVCC, d. G. Loomis, University Club, 6 and 4; D. Engle, Oak Knoll, d. B. Brutke, RVCC, 2 and 1; J. Wise, RVCC, d. S. Garcelon, Podders Club, 5 and 4; T. Croft, Cedar Links, d. G. Findley, Bayonet, 4 and 3; M. Ryan, Rooster Run, d. M. Parsons, Cedar Links, 8 and 7; J. Anderson, RVCC, d. B. Kim, Cedar Links, 1-up; S. Hansen, RVCC, d. D. Luther, Colombia Edgewater, 1-up; T. Dixon, RVCC, d. R. Hawkins, Grants Pass, 1-up. Third Flight K. Clugage, Tilden Park, d. M. Smith, Eagle Point, 5 up; A. Satterfield, RVCC, d. T. Trower, Stewart Meadows, 5 and 4; D. Moreland, d. C. Adderson, RVCC, 1-up; B. Galpern, RVCC, d. R. Wallis, Cedar Links, 2 and 1; R. Farino, Windsor, d. J. Adair, Cornoustie, 3 and 2; C. Cota, RVCC, d. H. Munn, Cedar Links, 1-up; D. Schweitzer, Spring Hill, d. S. Ekwall, Cedar Links, 2-up; J. Stark, Newcastle, d. RJ Glover, Eagle Point, 19th. Fourth Flight C. Lallo, Cedar Links, d. Mataczynski, Lake Oswgo, 2 and 1; B. Pederson, Cedar Links, d. J. Morris, Battle Lake, 2-up; L. Christoperson, Quail Valley, d. K. Lallo, RVCC, 1-up; K. Tucker, Overlake, d. T. Heim, 4 and 3; T. Willis, Eagle Point, d. D. Lillesve, River’s Edge, 2 and 1. Fifth Flight S. DeBoer, RVCC, d. S. Switzer, RVCC, 3 and 2; D. Clark, Tapps Island, d. S. Knight, Bear Creek, 3 and 2; D. Rowland, RVCC, d. D. Richards, RVCC, 1-up; C. DuFour, Medford, d. S. Sterton, Bellingham, 5 and 4; A. Luther, Grants Pass, d. T. Holton, Cedar Links, 4 and 3; D. Hunt, Twin Lakes, d. C. Ginder, Stoneridge, 2 and 1; M. Miller, Eagle Point, d. S. Warrington, Mission Viejo, 2 and 1; R. Hutchins, RVCC, d. S. Olson, Chicago, 1-up. JUNIOR-SENIOR Championship Flight D. Boals, RVCC, d. S. Skinner, Arrowhead, 7 and 5; S. Louis, Reserve at Spanss Park, d. D. Ward, Overlake, 19th; C. Wetle, Eugene, d. G. Lukas, Pumpkin Ridge, 2 and 1; G. Miller, RVCC, d. R. McCabe, SCGA, 2 and 1; J. Audia, Brokentop, d. B. Aldoph, RVCC, 6 and 5; K. Owen, RVCC, d. B. Dickey, RVCC, 19th; K. Rassmussen, RVCC, d. D. Smith, RVCC, 2 and 1; V. Schneider, Oswego Lake, d. D. Orr, RVCC, 1-up; T. Detherage, Bend, d. J. Jessel, Eagle Ridge, 1-up; G. Loeb, Tuscon National, d. D. Potter, Oregon Golf Club, 5 and 4; M. Morrow, Awbrey Glen, d. T. Decker, Diamond Oaks, 4 and 3; F. Gilleland, Overlake, d. S. Boldish, 1-up; P. Moore, Cedar Links, d. J. Eklund, RVCC, 2-up; C. Galpern, RVCC, d. B. Brigham, RVCC, 5 and 4; M. McCann, Arrowhead, d. D. Street, 6 and 5; R. Stassi Jr., RVCC, d. P. Chitwood, RVCC, 3 and 2. Sixth Flight B. George, RVCC, d. J. Johnson, Jacksonville, 1-up; L. Cracraft, RVCC, d. T. Driskill, RVCC, 2 and 1; B. Schmitz, RVCC, d. JJ Jones, Stewart Meadows, 1-up; J. Palazzolo, RVCC, d. M. Siliga, Cedar Links, 1-up; R. Cruz, Oak Knoll, d. F. Holminski, Contra Costa, 6 and 5; D. Timmins, RVCC, d. T. Hornecker, Eugene, 2 and 1; C. Carnese, Colombia Edgewater, d. M. Turner, Pumpkin Ridge, 1- up; T. Lernihan, Cinnibar Hills, d. J. Zupan, RVCC, 1-up. Eighth Flight S. Thurston, Eagle Point, d. M. Snyder, Legacy, 4 and 2; T. Mayer, RVCC, d. M. Kozloski, Quail Point, 4 and 2; T. Groves, Juniper, d. R. Figueira, Eagle Point, 2 and 1; K. Agguirre, Salem, d. B. Mitchell, RVCC, 2 and 1; C. Wiley, RVCC, d. M. Diehl, Eugene, 2 and 1; T. Decker III, Land Mark at Hemet, d. F. Moran, RVCC, 2 and 1; J. Works, RVCC, d. M. Wickman, Cedar Links, 5 and 3; G. Rupert, Cedar Links, d. D. Blake, Riverridge, 4 and 3. SENIOR MEN Championship Flight B. Orrico, Aldarra, d. B. Harrell, RVCC, 1up; J. Cochrane, RVCC, d. T. McDonald, Tacoma, 7 and 5; D. Dixon, RVCC, d. S. Weaver, RVCC, 1up; G. Mack, Colombia Edgewater, d. Bernie Fraser, RVCC, 2-up; J. Smith, RVCC, d. P. Akerman, Quail Point, 2 and 1; D. Rose, Eugene, d. J. Quincy, RVCC, 3 and 2; D. Brekke, RVCC, d. B. Shevlin, RVCC, 1-up; J. Smith, RVCC, d. K. Bailey, RVCC, 3 and 2; T. Anderson, RVCC, d. Hal Light, Tualitin, 3 and 2; M. Austin, Cedar Links, d. A. Schneider, RVCC, 2 and 1; J. Dunkin, RVCC, d. R. Loyd, RVCC, 1-up; J. Peat, Club at Mornings, d. D. Melville, RVCC, 4 and 3; B. Maentz, RVCC, d. B. Hanson, RVCC, 7 and 5; J. Johnson, RVCC, d. L. Garvin, RVCC, 4 and 3; T. Hamlin, RVCC, d. T.A. Watson, Diamondback, 1-up; J. Humphrey, RVCC, d. R. Primasing, Cedar Links, 1-up. Second Flight T.Newsome, Colombia Edgewater, d. D. Dunphy, Great Eagle, 4 and 2; M. Morris, RVCC, d. G. Klouda, RVCC, 1-up; L. Brown, Eugene, d. S. Ausland, Grants Pass, 19th; F. Primasing, Black Butte, d. R. Dixon, RVCC, 2-up; K. Straw, Contra Costa, d. J. Barker, Waverly, 3 and 2; M. Hornbeck, RVCC, d. P. Barbera, Contra Costa, 1-up; W. Chamberland, Reames, d. P. Austin, Eagle Point, 6 and 5; G. Jones, RVCC, d. H. Myers, Monterey, 5 and 4. Fourth Flight D. Sorenson, Waverly, d. J. Jensen, RVCC, 2 and 1; M. Jantzer, RVCC, d. M. Connors, Oak Knoll, 4 and 3; D. Leary, Middlefield, d. B. Bassett, Shadow Hills, 19th; A. Wihtol, Eagle Point, d. H. Phearson, Reams, 6 and 5; J. Kruesi, RVCC, d. Wendall Towe, Napa, 1-up; G. Bonner, RVCC, d. G. Redden, RVCC, 4 and 5; D. Entinger, RVCC, d. R. Perry, Riverview, 5 and 4; J. Bailey, Mount Graham, d. B. Saulnier, Great Eagle, 5 and 4. Sixth Flight B. Doolen, RVCC, d. T. Darland, RVCC, 6 and 5; R. White, RVCC, d. G. Striepeke, Contra Costa, 1up; P. Amorde, Eagle Point, d. B. Crews, RVCC, 4 and 3; R. Colwell, White Eagle, d. T. Kaylor, Oak Knoll, 4 and 3; E. Hinge, Roseville, d. B. Sevcik, RVCC, 6 and 4; L. Boeck, RVCC, d. K. Gilmore, Mallard Creek, 4 and 3; J. Cox, RVCC, d. E. Setzler, RVCC, 2 and 1; F. Johnson, RVCC, d. P. Puljan, Riverview, 3 and 2. Eighth Flight T. Barry, RVCC, d. R. Hughes, Illahe Hills, 2 and 1; R. Dow, RVCC, d. L. Burns, RVCC, 1-up; T. Hitzelberger, RVCC, d. T. Decker, Whitney Oaks, 4 and 3; J. Anhorn, RVCC, d. M. Parsons, Stewart Meadows, 2 and 1; M. Kitkpatrick, RVCC, d. T. Click, Cedar Links, 3 and 2; D. Mansfield, Brentwood, d. J. Root, Roseburg, 3 and 2; M. Brown, Oregon City, d. J. Bramwell, RVCC, 1-up; J. Barry, Cedar Links, d. J. Teays, Great Eagle, 4 and 3. Tenth Flight J. Huston, RVCC, d. J. Herbert, Issaquah, 5 and 3; R. Weinhold, RVCC, d. B. DuMilieu, RVCC, 3 and 2; B. Watrus, Lake Tamarisk, d. B. Reed, RVCC, 3 and 2; R. Lillesve, RVCC, d. R. Van Vleet, Pineway, 2 and 1; G. Bendickson, RVCC, d. B. Deatherage, RVCC, 2-up; W. Hicks, RVCC, d. B. Hutchins, RVCC 2 and 1; S. Milne, Bellevue, d. J. Kilroy, 1up; C. Mickelson, Eagle Point, WD, d. L. Bennett, Cedar Links, 5 and 3 WOMEN Championship Flight N. Morrison, Bend, d. G. VanWey, RVCC, 7 and 6; Molly Nealy, Grants Pass, d. M. McFaddin, Twin Lakes, 4 and 2; Johnna Nealy, Grants Pass, d. N. McDonald, Tacoma, 4 and 2; Linda Johnson, RVCC, d. Missy Coombs, Willow Creek, 4 and 3; N. Mack, Colombia Edgewater, d. C. Robbs, Overlake, 3 and 2; Josie Nealy, Grants Pass, d. C. Crenshaw, Arrowhead, 4 and 3; Amanda Nealy, Grants Pass, d. T. Armitage, Oak Knoll, 8 and 7; T. Rassmussen, RVCC, d. J. Beyer, Overlake, 2 and 1. Second Flight S. Heilman, Overlake, d. P. Ward, Overlake, 4 and 3; A. Meyers, Monterey, d. J. Mitchell, Oak Knoll, 1-up; M. Mason, Eugene, d. B. Stormo, RVCC, 7 and 5; M. Metzger, Meadowmeer, d. N. Waskom, Arrowhead, 6 and 5; J. Morrow, Awbrey Glen, d. J. Crenshaw, Arrowhead, 2 and 1; Kelly Loeb, Tucson National, d. J. Park, The Hideaway, 5 and 4; D. Stewart. RVCC, d. C. Kohler, RVCC, 2-up. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities