Englert Claims National Championship Exemption

It's been a long and arduous season to this point with the weather having a huge impact on scoring.  Wind, rain, cold and the dreaded "cart path only" only added to the frustrations that the local edition of the Golf Channel AmTour players have had to face during the 2013 season. Though the "cart path only" element reared it's ugly head once again, the weather took a turn for the better and warm, sunny skys greeted 32 tour players June 9th at the popular Mill Creek Golf Course in Churchville, NY, and the scoring showed how welcome a change it was.

Consistency has been the element that Ken Englert of Tonawanda, NY has always strived for in his game and it paid him great dividends Sunday as he claimed his 3rd victory of the year in the Palmer Flight (4 to 7.9 hdcp) and an exemption into the 2013 National Championships.  Making the turn at 4 over, Englert shot 1 under par on the finishing 9 holes with a clutch birdie on 18 to hold off Matt DeLong of Frewsburg, playing his 1st event on Tour, by a single stroke. DeLong who carded 5 birdies on the day including birdies on 17 and 18, just couldn't overcome Englert's great finish.
 Congratulations Ken on your accomplishment.

The debut of Nick Boccio from Snyder, New York in the Championship Flight (0 to 3.9 hdcp) was an impressive one as he turned in the low round of the day with a solid one over par 73. Playing in a pairing with his former 3rd grade teacher, Brian Davis of Amherst, Boccio's 2 stroke victory staked claim he is definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Returning to the winner's circle for the 2nd time this season was Jones Flight (16 to 19.9 hdcp) golfer Robert Zehler of Williamson, New York.  His outstanding score of 79 left his nearest competitor a full 9 strokes back.  A 6 year veteran of the tour, the victory is his 2nd in the last 3 events and an indication of how perseverance can pay off.

In the Hogan Flight (8 to 11.9 hdcp), George Blanton of Manlius, New York, made his Golf Channel AmTour debut a memorable one, parring the final 5 holes to hold off Mike Murphy of Missassauga, Ontario.  Locked in a 4 way tie after the opening nine holes, Blanton's ability to avoid double bogeys keyed his victory.

David Walker's even par opening nine holes proved to be too much for his fellow competitors to overcome in the Sarazen Flight (12 to 16.9 hdcp) as the Beaver dams native claimed victory in his 2nd tour event. Trailing by 7 strokes after the turn, Jeff Bossack of Oakville, Ontario made a valiant run up the leaderboard only to fall one stroke short after double bogeying the final hole. Walker, an artisan from the Corning area has a very unique golf related hobby, building glass putters in has spare time.

Next on the calender for the Golf Channel AmTour is the Heartland Open at PGA National at Swan Lake in Plymouth, Indiana.  The optional 2-day Major Event is another avenue where a top 3 finish in your designated flight will gain an exemption into the 2013 National Championships.  The local chapter of the AmTour will return to action on June 29th for the Greystone Open at the ever challenging Greystone Golf Course in Walworth, NY.