The 2017 Shootout was held on Saturday. It was a gorgeous day for the event.
After the front nine was played by the 24 qualifiers, the back nine field of 10 began to take place. There was not a chip off for the turn, and the cut line ended at an net even par 36. Making the turn were, Steve Couture, Jason Lunetta, Stan Hop, Wayne Nau, Ermin Cicic, Richard Brower, Pete Steichen, Jim Hegedus, Don Grove and Roger Hamm.
Nau was eliminated on #10 after a chip. Lunetta fell on #11 with a double. Richard Brower lost a 3-way chip-off on 12. Steichen, eliminated on 13, left even before the group behind him finished…he know it was over after an 8. Hegedus missed a short putt on 14 to force a chip off and was eliminated. Hamm had a rough go on 15, and after an 8, was eliminated. Grove gave himself some left side trouble on 16 (even played 7 for a shot), and was eliminated with 10. #17 saw some drama as all 3 players went to a chip-off shootout…2 solid chips to by Hop and Couture (4’6″ and 4’1″) eliminated Cicic.
Both, Hop and Couture were receiving strokes on 18 so it was an even duel on 18. Great drives were hit by both, and the 2nd shots ultimately determined the winner. With Hop just off the green in the rough on the right and , and Couture well right and short sided. Couture was unable to get up and down and finished with a bogey. Hop hit a decent chip, but left himself a knee knocking 4 foot slider for par…..DRAINO….STAN HOP WINS THE 2017 SHOOTOUT!!!
Congratulations Stan!
Below is the prize report.
