Recap - Viroqua Hills

59 TRGA contestants showed up at Viroqua Hills Golf Club and battled conditions unlike anything they had experienced so far this year—sunshine and reasonably warm temperatures!

A beautiful day on a scenic layout produced some exciting action in the second TRGA event of the season:

Men's Championship Flight

For the second straight year, Troy Dobbe won the title.   Dobbe, a Viroqua Hills member, who says he's played the course "thousands of times", fired an even-par 71.   Dobbe's round started slowly with a couple of front-nine three putts.  But he picked up the pace on the back-nine with birdies on 10, 11 and 13.  "The 25 foot putt on number 10 really got me going" said Dobbe.  "That gave me confidence for the rest of the round."

Men's First Flight

In the only playoff of the day, Randy Olson birdied the first playoff hole to beat Erik Burton.  Olson and Burton tied with 79's.   Olson's round was "on cruise control" until he made a seven on the par-4 ninth hole.  But after that he recovered nicely, making a clutch six-foot bogey save on the 10th hole.   "I've been working hard on the mental game over the winter, trying not to get frustrated.  And that really seemed to help me today" said  Olson.  Despite not playing a single practice round all spring, Olson feels like his game is surprisingly good right now.

Men's Second Flight

Mike Feldner knew exactly were he stood in his second flight battle with Roger Jasperson.  His one stroke lead was anything but safe, until he knocked in a 50 foot putt for birdie on the 18th hole.  "I played about 10 feet of break" said Feldner.  "It had plenty of speed when it hit the hole.  I was happy it went in so I wouldn't have a six or seven foot comebacker.   Feldner finished with an 80.   "Mike made a bunch of critical putts.  We had a good battle" said Jasperson who finished two shots behind with an 82.

Men's Third Flight

Any time you make a lot of six to eight footers you're probably going to have a good day.  Mike Calteaux did exactly that and he had a great day.   Calteaux surprised himself with outstanding work on the greens, shooting an outstanding 81 to win the Men's third flight.  "I've been working really hard this spring.  It's paying off" said Calteaux.

Men's Fourth Flight

Make it two wins in two TRGA starts for Mike Huegel who won the men's fourth flight with an 82.  Huegel overcame an early penalty for hitting the wrong ball and a four-putt.   "I just hung in there and played pretty solid after that" said Huegel.   "It was a fun day, the weather was good and that birdie on number 16 really was good!"   Asked if he'd guarantee a third-stratight victory in two weeks at Cedar Valley, Huegel paused and said "no guarantees, but I'm going to push for it!"

Men's Fifth Flight

Jeff Newquist overcame three-straight back-nine double bogeys and memories of a Fox Hollow "meltdown" two weeks ago, to take the men's fifth flight with a 91.  "I don't think about winning.  I just try to keep things in perspective and have fun" said Newquist.  He had a lot of fun hitting some very good shots down the stretch.

Women's Championship

Terry Thomas isn't quite playing her best yet, but she's optimistic about where her game is heading.   Thomas held off a back-nine charge to Chealsea Dunnum to win the women's championship flight with a 90.  "I had a bunch of nice one-putt pars" said Thomas

Women's Flighted

Sue Moore made it two straight wins shooting a net-66.   Moore, playing to a 20 handicap holed-out for eagle from 104 yards on the par-4 fourth hole.   She followed that with a birdie on the par-3 fifth.  Moore, who beat second place finisher Sher Olson by  four shots was having too much fun to get nervous.  "I love this group.  We all root for each other and have a great time!"