Casey Brentlinger posted his best career round of golf during the annual Wayne Country Club championships last weekend and it couldn't come at a more opportune time. The two-time champion was firing on all cylinders during second round action, carding a 7-under par 65 after an opening round 1-under par 71 on Saturday. The 8-under total of 136 is the lowest Wayne club tournament score in recent history. He recorded 12 birdies over the 36 hole event with only four bogeys.
"The lowest round of my life came at the right time," said Casey. "I love the competition and playing in events like this. I've been playing well all summer. The week leading up to the club tournament I played a couple of tough courses and that helped my mindset with course management and where to miss a shot if needed."
Brentlinger said his goal was just to manage the course, keep the ball in play and see what happens. "I hit a lot of fairways and greens in regulation and my putter got hot," he added. He played the eight, par 5's in five under over two days and perhaps more impressive, played the eight par 3's in one under.
Matt Eischeid enjoyed a very good round golf of his own on Sunday, posting a one-under par 71. He and Rob Sweetland battled down the stretch for the runner-up spot with Eischeid notching a hat trick with birdies on the final three holes. His 148 (77-71) edged Sweetland by a single shot (76-73) with Tyler Vaughn placing fourth at 151 (74-77).
There were three additional flights of golfers with winners declared by net scoring instead of gross. Kelly Hansen claimed top honors in the first flight with a 3-under par 141 over 36 holes including a low gross score of 71 on Saturday with rounds of 37-34. Rich Rethwisch placed second with a two-day net of 145 while Chris Blohm was third at 146. Logan McPhillips and Joel Ankeny tied for fourth with each carding net scores of 147.
The second flight was won by Wyatt Martian. The first-time winner finished 5-under par net for two days at 139. Randy Simonsen followed at 142 while Dusty Baker, Dave Longe and Kevin Peterson tied for third place honors at even par 144. Third flight champ was Joel Jorgensen with a two-day net score of 139 which was 5-under par. Aaron Smith and Bill Melena were also under par with net scores of 143 to tie for runner-up and Casey Schroeder finished at even par 144.
There were two champions on the women's side as Tracy Lungrin captured top honors and is the club champion for the low gross total over two days while Brittany Webber claimed the net championship with a net score of one over par 145.
