First Ace in 51-years highlights Tianna Best Ball

Mark Twain, the celebrated 19th century novelist and iconoclast, was quoted in 1911 on his irreverent view of golf, “Golf is a good walk spoiled!”

Don’t tell that observation to Cold Spring’s Austin Athmann, as his spoiled walk in Walker earned him $5,000 when he aced the 172-yard second hole at Tianna Country Club June 23 to highlight the popular best-ball tournament.

Organizer Ray Sauer and his wife Kathy had garnered a full field for the event’s 51st edition.

Course superintendent, Justin Fournier, had the course in pristine condition. Up at 5 a.m., Fournier and his crew cut every fairway and mowed every green to make the course impeccable for the field of 160 golfers.

Here are the winners of the tournament’s three separate events.

In the Championship Division, former Pierz natives Daryl Schomer and Robert Bell prevailed with a 27-hole total of 97 to win by three strokes over the duos of Adam Riddering and Brandon Nelson, Jon and Joe Sauer, and Wyatt Hanson and Kyle Haag, who finished in a three-way tie for second with a score of 100.

Schomer and Bell shot 11-under-par 34-31-32 to finally snare the title after more than a decade of competing in the event.

The course rotation was back/front/back, which is more difficult.

In the Senior Championship Division, the formidable Elk River duo of Scott Holt and Tim Gordon shot 35-36-33 (104) to eke out a two-shot victory over the Perham Lakeside Golf Course team of Bob Cavanagh and Colin Bork.

In the Team Net Division, the Tianna Country Club member duo of Kevin Johnson and Chad White shot 60 to prevail by two shots over Ron and Jason Luethmers. Finishing third was Justin Sauer and Abe Obermiller with a 64.

June 23 was a Top-Ten weather day and the course’s condition was immaculate. Club Manager Carrie Johnson and her staff had the food service part of the event ably prepared and presented. Many contestants can’t wait until next year’s event, which will be played June 22.