- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,196,171
- Reaction score
- 59
The 98th Bloomington City Golf Tournament is trimming a bit of the fat, and no, no GLP-1s are involved.
For the four who make the finals of the Phil Talbot Men's and the Paul Gray Senior Championship flights on July 19 at Cascades, their Sunday outings will end much more quickly with the reduction of the 36-hole, one-day format to an 18-hole contest.
Back in 2013, shrinking numbers of players who wanted to participate in the tourney's highest levels forced then-Cascades director Aaron Craig to lower the fields to 16 players, down from 32, for match play. The price of slimming the tourney to two weekends was a 36-hole final played in one day rather than spread over two days on a third weekend.
More: All-time City Golf champions
It was a tough day for the Super Seniors, who happily went back to an 18-hole final in 2024.
"I welcomed that because I have a bad back," said Super Senior Dan Neubecker, who lost in 30 holes in 2023 and has split the last two 18-hole titles by scores of 1 up and 2 and 1. "And doing 36 holes in one day ... I'm good for about 27. After that..."
Meanwhile, the Seniors and Men plowed on through the usually hot, seven-plus-hour battles, even with twosomes. The only Junior final since 2021 was shortened to 18 holes in 2023. The 36-hole final has been a staple of the tourney since the beginning, so this is a big deal.
"The biggest thing was making it easy on the golf course," Cascades head pro Jason Sims said. "We're a revenue business, so taking half a day for two matches to try to play 36 on tee times, and also get done quicker. The hall of fame does its program after the tournament, so getting them in and out and not having people waiting around.
"If you're playing 36, it's a long process."
Sims did not come to that decision alone.
"I definitely did ask around," Sims said. "I talked to the big players who play regularly in the city. Hall of Famers. So it wasn't something I did on my own. I asked around and got their thoughts, and they were mostly good with it. They understood why.
"The Seniors liked it, so it's the Men's players questioning it, maybe. But I think it's better overall."
It will bring a real sense of urgency to the final. In the past, even a five-hole deficit after 18 was not insurmountable, as Doak Henry Jr. proved in 2019. And draining some of that drama, especially so early, is what bothers the current four-time defending champ the most.
"I think it's unfortunate that they made that decision," Jason Bannister said. "It's unique to have a 36-hole final; it really helps separate the better players. It turned it from a sprint into a marathon. You can pace yourself, and it really allows for a lot of lead changes, for a lot of things to occur.
"Just going to an 18-hole final will eliminate what I would call the pay-per-view quality of the match. You get 36 holes, the lead doesn't change, and it turns into a blockbuster. With 18, it can get out of hand really quickly. There's no time for a comeback."
For the Seniors and Super Seniors, it's a good idea, he agreed. But Banister understands the event's legacy and what tradition means to it, even as it changes with the times.
"I think I understand why they did it," Bannister said. "But it's such a historical event. One of the longest-running match-play tournaments in the country. At that point, it's down to just two people. I'm disappointed that it's only 18, in my opinion, but it's the history behind it more why I'm upset."
The 2025 champs in the Men's, Seniors and Super Seniors are all back and will open against 16th seeds when play kicks off on Saturday, July 11.
Bannister, the four-time defending Phil Talbot Men's champ, will open his defense against Zayne Dwigans, a recent Edgewood grad. In the Paul Gray Seniors, defending champ Chad Osborne starts against Brad Wilson. Ike Martin, following his record 13th title and second in the Ross Rush Super Seniors, starts off his run against Phil McCann.
"I'm happy with where I'm at," said Bannister, who tied for 38th at the Indiana Open this week. "I didn't play great golf, hit the ball well, I just struggled with my putting. It's more about the management side at Cascades."
The only streak longer than Bannister's is Talbot's run of nine from 1935-43. In 2012-13, Bob Hasty was the last Senior to repeat. Gary EuDaly will be after a record fifth title in the Seniors.
The pairings set up some interesting first-round matchups in the Men's field.
Qualifying champ Mitch Oard, the No. 2 seed, is the Pfau Course's assistant golf course supervisor. He's up against, against No. 15 Brad Scroggins, Cascades' course superintendent, who made a run to the semifinals last year as a 12th seed.
Likewise, a pair of Cascades' employees and former Bloomington North golfers, Brayden Bunger, an IU student who works in the pro shop, and groundskeeper Daniel Melwid, face off in an 8-9 matchup.
More: Record is safe, but Mitch Oard back on top at City Golf Qualifier
Then there's current Cougar Ryan Decker, who comes in off his playoff victory in the Boys 15 bracket at the Indiana Age Group Championships at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth. Decker (73-74) held the first-round lead but forced an extra hole after Day 2 with a birdie on 18, then made another birdie to win it.
Now, as a fourth seed in his first go at the Men's bracket, the youngest member of the field and the 2023 Junior champ, faces the oldest in 64-year-old 13th seed Tim Gillespie, who decided to give the Men's division one last go despite being eligible to play in the Seniors again.
In addition to the 48 Championship flight golfers, there are 57 more in the regular flights. The Senior, Super Senior, and Women's Regular flights will begin play on Saturday, while the Men's Regular flights will start on Sunday.
All semifinals will be on July 18, and the finals on the 19th.
The Women's competition went unfilled from 2020-24 before Missy Ringler took the title, her 11th, last year.
She's not returning, but the largest field in more than a decade will tee off this week, with 11 players creating two flights.
"We have a good number, and it's a mixed bag of players," Sims said. "We have some high schoolers and some ladies from our Ladies League who are older. We threw them all in one division. We used to have the Marian Lawson, but they're all comfortable playing in a good, competitive bracket.
"I was excited to see it, because 'I don't like to see my scores in the paper,' is what I heard in the past. They've gotten over that, I guess. The ladies are competitive. They want to win. They recruited women to play."
Edgewood senior Libby McElhinney is the top seed and gets a bye in the seven-player top flight. Mustang grad Marley Jackson and former Cougar Kourtney Grimes are also in the field. North players Mira Bruce and Sadie Woodring are in the Second Flight.
The Junior Boys tourney has been vacant since 2023, as only two signed up this year.
Bloomington South grad and Ball State junior Happy Gilmore (71-71-72—214) finished in a tie for 10th at 2-under in the Indiana Open at Brickyard Crossing on Wednesday.
South grad Nick Bellush tied for 24th (74-69-75—218) and Bannister (75-74-73—22) tied for 38th. Former IU golfer Mitch Davis climbed into a tie for eighth after a final round 66.
Back on July 2, the 126th Indiana Amateur wrapped up at Broadmoor in Indianapolis, with Bellush being the highest area finisher, tying for 51st at a 2-over 218 (71-71-76). Gilmore tied for 60th at 5-over (72-73-76—221).
BLOOMINGTON CITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Saturday, July 11 tee times, pairings
PHIL TALBOT MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
7:30 a.m.: [1] Jason Bannister vs. [16} Zayne Dwigans; [8] Daniel Melwid vs. [9] Brayden Bunger. 7:40: [4] Ryan Decker vs. [13] Tim Gillespie; [5] Tyler Jordan vs. [12] Zach Sykes. 7:50: [2] Mitch Oard vs. [15] Brad Scroggins; [7] Sam Wise vs. [10] Tony Arnett. 8:00: [3] Logan Vernon vs. [14] Jim Southern; [6] Alec Freund vs. [11] Jeff Nelson.
PAUL GRAY SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
8:10 a.m: [1] Chad Osborne vs. [16] Ken Wilson; [8] Lance Ringler vs. [9] Charles Combs. 8:20: [4] Matt Till vs. [13] Jason Storm; [5] Brad Leach vs. [12] Mike Bruce. 8:30: [2] Gary EuDaly vs. [15] Thomas Gillespie; [7] Chris Stedman vs. [10] Chuck Vernon. 8:40: [3] Brian Muehlhaus vs. [14] Ross Grimes; [6] Jim Alexander vs. [11] Bill Kelson.
ROSS RUSH SUPER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
9:00 a.m.: [1] Ike Martin vs. [16] Phil McCann; [8] Steve Hinds vs. [9] Burke Geene. 9:10: [4] Bob Hasty vs. [13] Paul Toddy; [5] Joe Beane vs. [12] Robin Harper. 9:20: [2] Dan Neubecker vs. [15] Marty Hutsell; [7] John Kaser vs. [10] David Devitt. 9:30: [3] Rory Brown vs. [14] Mike Thomas; [6] Mike Vernon vs. [11] Gary Blackwell.
SENIOR REGULAR
FIRST FLIGHT — 9:40: [1] Jay Freund, bye; [4] Dan Smith vs. [5] Rick Scherer. 9:50: [2] Rick Scheid vs. [7] Aaron Santner; [3] Allen Aung vs. [6] Brian Wise.
SECOND FLIGHT — [1] Jeff Huntoon, [2] Ed Huff, byes. 10:00: [4] Brandon Chambers vs. [5] Mike Vernon, Jr.; [3] Noberto Mejia vs. [6] Ramesh Venkataraman.
SUPER SENIOR REGULAR
FIRST FLIGHT — 10:10: [1] George Finley vs. [8] Dick Meacham; [4] Keith Houk vs. [5] David Ripley; 10:20: [2] David Smiley vs. p7[ Drew Antilla; [3] Gerald Wright vs. [6] Mark Deal.
SECOND FLIGHT — [1] Jim Sims, [2] Brian Werth, byes. 10:30: [4] Jan Bond vs. [5] John Cantwell; [3] Brett Daniels vs. [6] Sam Janaraweragul.
WOMEN'S REGULAR
FIRST FLIGHT — 10:40: [1] Libby McElhinney, bye; [4] Jillian Moss vs. [5] Kourtney Grimes. 10:50: [2] Carly Cauble vs. [7] Lisa Wise; [3] Marley Jackson vs. [6] Sheila Nickle.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Big change coming to finals of 98th City Golf Tournament
Continue reading...
For the four who make the finals of the Phil Talbot Men's and the Paul Gray Senior Championship flights on July 19 at Cascades, their Sunday outings will end much more quickly with the reduction of the 36-hole, one-day format to an 18-hole contest.
Back in 2013, shrinking numbers of players who wanted to participate in the tourney's highest levels forced then-Cascades director Aaron Craig to lower the fields to 16 players, down from 32, for match play. The price of slimming the tourney to two weekends was a 36-hole final played in one day rather than spread over two days on a third weekend.
You must be registered for see images
More: All-time City Golf champions
It was a tough day for the Super Seniors, who happily went back to an 18-hole final in 2024.
"I welcomed that because I have a bad back," said Super Senior Dan Neubecker, who lost in 30 holes in 2023 and has split the last two 18-hole titles by scores of 1 up and 2 and 1. "And doing 36 holes in one day ... I'm good for about 27. After that..."
Meanwhile, the Seniors and Men plowed on through the usually hot, seven-plus-hour battles, even with twosomes. The only Junior final since 2021 was shortened to 18 holes in 2023. The 36-hole final has been a staple of the tourney since the beginning, so this is a big deal.
"The biggest thing was making it easy on the golf course," Cascades head pro Jason Sims said. "We're a revenue business, so taking half a day for two matches to try to play 36 on tee times, and also get done quicker. The hall of fame does its program after the tournament, so getting them in and out and not having people waiting around.
"If you're playing 36, it's a long process."
Sims did not come to that decision alone.
"I definitely did ask around," Sims said. "I talked to the big players who play regularly in the city. Hall of Famers. So it wasn't something I did on my own. I asked around and got their thoughts, and they were mostly good with it. They understood why.
"The Seniors liked it, so it's the Men's players questioning it, maybe. But I think it's better overall."
It will bring a real sense of urgency to the final. In the past, even a five-hole deficit after 18 was not insurmountable, as Doak Henry Jr. proved in 2019. And draining some of that drama, especially so early, is what bothers the current four-time defending champ the most.
"I think it's unfortunate that they made that decision," Jason Bannister said. "It's unique to have a 36-hole final; it really helps separate the better players. It turned it from a sprint into a marathon. You can pace yourself, and it really allows for a lot of lead changes, for a lot of things to occur.
"Just going to an 18-hole final will eliminate what I would call the pay-per-view quality of the match. You get 36 holes, the lead doesn't change, and it turns into a blockbuster. With 18, it can get out of hand really quickly. There's no time for a comeback."
For the Seniors and Super Seniors, it's a good idea, he agreed. But Banister understands the event's legacy and what tradition means to it, even as it changes with the times.
"I think I understand why they did it," Bannister said. "But it's such a historical event. One of the longest-running match-play tournaments in the country. At that point, it's down to just two people. I'm disappointed that it's only 18, in my opinion, but it's the history behind it more why I'm upset."
You must be registered for see images
Defending champs are back
The 2025 champs in the Men's, Seniors and Super Seniors are all back and will open against 16th seeds when play kicks off on Saturday, July 11.
Bannister, the four-time defending Phil Talbot Men's champ, will open his defense against Zayne Dwigans, a recent Edgewood grad. In the Paul Gray Seniors, defending champ Chad Osborne starts against Brad Wilson. Ike Martin, following his record 13th title and second in the Ross Rush Super Seniors, starts off his run against Phil McCann.
"I'm happy with where I'm at," said Bannister, who tied for 38th at the Indiana Open this week. "I didn't play great golf, hit the ball well, I just struggled with my putting. It's more about the management side at Cascades."
The only streak longer than Bannister's is Talbot's run of nine from 1935-43. In 2012-13, Bob Hasty was the last Senior to repeat. Gary EuDaly will be after a record fifth title in the Seniors.
You must be registered for see images attach
Familiar faces face off
The pairings set up some interesting first-round matchups in the Men's field.
Qualifying champ Mitch Oard, the No. 2 seed, is the Pfau Course's assistant golf course supervisor. He's up against, against No. 15 Brad Scroggins, Cascades' course superintendent, who made a run to the semifinals last year as a 12th seed.
Likewise, a pair of Cascades' employees and former Bloomington North golfers, Brayden Bunger, an IU student who works in the pro shop, and groundskeeper Daniel Melwid, face off in an 8-9 matchup.
More: Record is safe, but Mitch Oard back on top at City Golf Qualifier
Then there's current Cougar Ryan Decker, who comes in off his playoff victory in the Boys 15 bracket at the Indiana Age Group Championships at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth. Decker (73-74) held the first-round lead but forced an extra hole after Day 2 with a birdie on 18, then made another birdie to win it.
Now, as a fourth seed in his first go at the Men's bracket, the youngest member of the field and the 2023 Junior champ, faces the oldest in 64-year-old 13th seed Tim Gillespie, who decided to give the Men's division one last go despite being eligible to play in the Seniors again.
In addition to the 48 Championship flight golfers, there are 57 more in the regular flights. The Senior, Super Senior, and Women's Regular flights will begin play on Saturday, while the Men's Regular flights will start on Sunday.
All semifinals will be on July 18, and the finals on the 19th.
Women's field expands
The Women's competition went unfilled from 2020-24 before Missy Ringler took the title, her 11th, last year.
She's not returning, but the largest field in more than a decade will tee off this week, with 11 players creating two flights.
"We have a good number, and it's a mixed bag of players," Sims said. "We have some high schoolers and some ladies from our Ladies League who are older. We threw them all in one division. We used to have the Marian Lawson, but they're all comfortable playing in a good, competitive bracket.
"I was excited to see it, because 'I don't like to see my scores in the paper,' is what I heard in the past. They've gotten over that, I guess. The ladies are competitive. They want to win. They recruited women to play."
Edgewood senior Libby McElhinney is the top seed and gets a bye in the seven-player top flight. Mustang grad Marley Jackson and former Cougar Kourtney Grimes are also in the field. North players Mira Bruce and Sadie Woodring are in the Second Flight.
The Junior Boys tourney has been vacant since 2023, as only two signed up this year.
Indiana Am, Indiana Open
Bloomington South grad and Ball State junior Happy Gilmore (71-71-72—214) finished in a tie for 10th at 2-under in the Indiana Open at Brickyard Crossing on Wednesday.
South grad Nick Bellush tied for 24th (74-69-75—218) and Bannister (75-74-73—22) tied for 38th. Former IU golfer Mitch Davis climbed into a tie for eighth after a final round 66.
Back on July 2, the 126th Indiana Amateur wrapped up at Broadmoor in Indianapolis, with Bellush being the highest area finisher, tying for 51st at a 2-over 218 (71-71-76). Gilmore tied for 60th at 5-over (72-73-76—221).
BLOOMINGTON CITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Saturday, July 11 tee times, pairings
PHIL TALBOT MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
7:30 a.m.: [1] Jason Bannister vs. [16} Zayne Dwigans; [8] Daniel Melwid vs. [9] Brayden Bunger. 7:40: [4] Ryan Decker vs. [13] Tim Gillespie; [5] Tyler Jordan vs. [12] Zach Sykes. 7:50: [2] Mitch Oard vs. [15] Brad Scroggins; [7] Sam Wise vs. [10] Tony Arnett. 8:00: [3] Logan Vernon vs. [14] Jim Southern; [6] Alec Freund vs. [11] Jeff Nelson.
PAUL GRAY SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
8:10 a.m: [1] Chad Osborne vs. [16] Ken Wilson; [8] Lance Ringler vs. [9] Charles Combs. 8:20: [4] Matt Till vs. [13] Jason Storm; [5] Brad Leach vs. [12] Mike Bruce. 8:30: [2] Gary EuDaly vs. [15] Thomas Gillespie; [7] Chris Stedman vs. [10] Chuck Vernon. 8:40: [3] Brian Muehlhaus vs. [14] Ross Grimes; [6] Jim Alexander vs. [11] Bill Kelson.
ROSS RUSH SUPER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
9:00 a.m.: [1] Ike Martin vs. [16] Phil McCann; [8] Steve Hinds vs. [9] Burke Geene. 9:10: [4] Bob Hasty vs. [13] Paul Toddy; [5] Joe Beane vs. [12] Robin Harper. 9:20: [2] Dan Neubecker vs. [15] Marty Hutsell; [7] John Kaser vs. [10] David Devitt. 9:30: [3] Rory Brown vs. [14] Mike Thomas; [6] Mike Vernon vs. [11] Gary Blackwell.
SENIOR REGULAR
FIRST FLIGHT — 9:40: [1] Jay Freund, bye; [4] Dan Smith vs. [5] Rick Scherer. 9:50: [2] Rick Scheid vs. [7] Aaron Santner; [3] Allen Aung vs. [6] Brian Wise.
SECOND FLIGHT — [1] Jeff Huntoon, [2] Ed Huff, byes. 10:00: [4] Brandon Chambers vs. [5] Mike Vernon, Jr.; [3] Noberto Mejia vs. [6] Ramesh Venkataraman.
SUPER SENIOR REGULAR
FIRST FLIGHT — 10:10: [1] George Finley vs. [8] Dick Meacham; [4] Keith Houk vs. [5] David Ripley; 10:20: [2] David Smiley vs. p7[ Drew Antilla; [3] Gerald Wright vs. [6] Mark Deal.
SECOND FLIGHT — [1] Jim Sims, [2] Brian Werth, byes. 10:30: [4] Jan Bond vs. [5] John Cantwell; [3] Brett Daniels vs. [6] Sam Janaraweragul.
WOMEN'S REGULAR
FIRST FLIGHT — 10:40: [1] Libby McElhinney, bye; [4] Jillian Moss vs. [5] Kourtney Grimes. 10:50: [2] Carly Cauble vs. [7] Lisa Wise; [3] Marley Jackson vs. [6] Sheila Nickle.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Big change coming to finals of 98th City Golf Tournament
Continue reading...
