EVANSVILLE — The most anticipated moment from the Romain Cadillac Men's City Tournament qualifier every year comes at the end. Who will conquer the nerves and advance from the playoff?
This year proved once again it never gets easier.
The 2024 Evansville Men's City Tournament officially begins on August 3. First order was filling 71 spots in the field. Both sites, Fendrich and Helfrich, required extra holes on Saturday to determine the final pairings in two weeks. One required over a dozen players to return to the tee.
"I would be lying if I said my stomach wasn't churning," said Kevin Moore. "One time, I was in a 16-man playoff for two (spots). That was probably a little more stressful, but it's still the same. Still trying to earn your spot."
The toughest playoff went to Fendrich with 14 players for 10 spots. Six players made par at No. 10 to earn their ticket. The final four weren't determined until the third playoff hole which finished well past 7 p.m. local time. Some competitors had played their round, went to work or dinner and then returned.
Ben Meier, Tom Gayhart, Ryan Knapp and Moore had to go the distance. The latter took a difficult route after popping his drive up on 17 and narrowly missing the trees on his approach at 18. He made pars on both holes, giving credit to his caddie, Matt Price, for keep him calm. This was the third straight year Gayhart has advanced from a playoff.
The playoff at Helfrich only went two holes with seven players fighting for two spots. George Nord claimed the first with a nine iron to 12 feet at No. 1 and a birdie. Justin Waiz earned the other with a birdie at No. 2 following a deep drive just short of the green.
"Nerves?" said Nord. "I'm 66. I ain't got none left. I bogeyed the last two holes and knew I was in trouble. I had the exact same shot (in the playoff) as I did the first time. Knowing that distance, I knew I had a good shot and (made) a good putt."
This was the first competitive round ever for Waiz. The Memorial graduate played basketball and baseball in high school but didn't pick up a club until the pandemic. A job at Rolling Hills Country Club led to free rounds and a new passion. The biggest difference in this sport? Every moment is on him.
He drained a par putt above the hole at 1. His long drive at 2, he credited adrenaline standing on the tee, led to a birdie putt inside five feet.
"I've always had teammates behind me," Waiz said. "This is the first time I've been by myself. I'm at the range all the time and feel like I've worked hard for this. It's not much because I know there are a lot better players in the field. But this is the first time even trying to qualify and a heck of an experience."
Who shot the low round of the day?
You don't see many scores like this at Helfrich.
Nicholas Gushrowski posted a 7-under 64 from the third group of the day with eight birdies. His round went from good to great with a near-perfect 31 on the back nine that included birdies at 10, 11, 13, 14 and 17. For comparison, the low score at Helfrich last year was 71. The Michigan City native recently graduated from the University of Evansville where he played collegiately.
Jackson Strong had the low round at Fendrich with a 3-under 67. He recorded six birdies including five on the back nine (10, 12, 14, 17 and 18).
Who qualified from Fendrich?
There were 51 spots available from 140 players. Here is who advanced:
Jackson Strong (67); Christian Farley, Cade Schiff, Isaac Wyrick, Ryan Chandler (68); Jared DeLong, Ryan Horstketter, Alex Cook, Will Brackett (69); Kurt Seib, Lucas Zielinski, Mason Royalty, Nick Henderson (70); Bo Hargett, Brandon Moore, Tyler Toopes, Mark Murray (71); Clint Sallee, Daniel Woods, Dustin Jourdan, Sam Porter, Kyle Powell, Jacob Murphy, Henry Schreiber, Colton Simpson, Andy Reddington (72); Adam Bosler, Nic Winters, Nathan Dewan, Evan Bonnell, Timothy Crowe, Evan Hassler, EJ Wilder, Stephen Smith, Sean Vanover, Keenan Brodecky (73); Ed Prevo, Daniel Marlow, Brayden Johnson, Ryan Bacon, Eric Ma (74); Glen Fehr, Brad Niemeier, Ryan Knapp, Nic Pierrard, Tom Gayhart, Ben Meier, Ryan Robison, Kurtis Anthony, Scott Gowdy, Kevin Moore (75).
Who qualified from Helfrich?
There were 20 spots available from 53 players. Here is who advanced:
Nicholas Gushrowski (64); Brady Fiester (72); Joshua McGill, Tanner Bruce, Jake Schiff (73); Daniel Preske, Blake Zeller, Alex Oliver (74); Matthew Godsey, Isaac Marx, AJ Stuckey, Mason Mills, Hunter Riggs, Sam Ziemer (76); Reid Lorey, Connor McClarney (77); Bradyn Carrie, Jacob Eble (78); George Nord, Justin Waiz (79).
Most Popular
Comments / 0