Tour Series Finale — ROYAL MANCHESTER Results

As I sit here looking out the window over the recent early snowfall in mid-November, I can’t help to reminisce about the soggy season we had in 2018.  As the area has set a historical rain/snowfall of 63 inches for the 2018 season (that is over 5 feet of rain),  the Knuckleheads had to sidestep, reschedule, and play in numerous rainy days.

To recap the Knucklehead tour series got off to a late start due to frigid temperatures in March & April.  Start of the 2018 Knucklehead Tour series thus started at Little Bennett on Memorial Day weekend with high heat and humidity draining the energy of one of our fellow compatriots Mark Spruill. Fortunately wisdom took over and he stopped after ten holes, was hopitalized and then recovered fine. Next outing was at Wyncote posing sublime conditions for a links golf course. In July we combatted heavy rains forcing a two week rain cancellation at Links of Gettysburg even though some Knuckleheads ventured out in the rain at the initial scheduled date.  Showers interrupted the round at Carroll Valley in August but it did not deter some Knuckleheads to go out and play nine more holes. We-Ko-Pa in Arizona provided 100 degree temperatures for the event on September 10.  PB Dye was marred with puddles throughout its course in late September.

That brings up to the finale at Royal Manchester for the 15th annual Rich Robb Memorial Trophy on a nice crisp day in mid-October.  Basically the standings had it as a two man race between Bob Ingram and Kwang Yim and the fans (a.k.a. Brian Murphy) were not disappointed.   As they entered the relatively short, downhill par 5 number 9 460 yard hole, Kwang held a slim one shot advantage over Bob. Kwang hit a magnificent 5-iron to go for the green in two but the ball ended up back of the green. Bob thinned his third shot into the green and it skipped on the water onto the green (thanks Ted Kennedy). Kwang chipped on the green but three putted for a bogey and a 42 on the front side. Bob two putted for par and a smooth 40 on the frontside to be tied with Kwang overall given that his handicap was two strokes less than Kwang.

On the par 4 374 yard 10th hole Kwang retaliated with an uphill 20 foot putt for birdie and Bob’s chip shot for par lipped out. Bob came back with a knockdown shot on the short par 3 149 yard 11th hole for knock-in birdie and Kwang ended up with a par. On the long par 5 540 yard 12th hole Bob three putted from 60 feet for bogey and Kwang made a nice up and down for par and a 2 stroke advantage.  As the winds increased and the temperatures started to dip, Kwang kept his cool and began hitting fairways and greens constantly. He made par, bogey, bogey, par over the next four holes while Bob made bogey, triple bogey, par, and double bogey. Kwang shot a super 39 on the backside of Royal Manchester to finish off all competitors and capture the Rich Robb trophy for back to back wins.  Congratulations Kwang on an excellent season from beginning to the end. Below is the list of past Knucklehead tour series winners.

Brian Duffy started in third place and maintained that  position with a steady net 80.  Only four points separated Brian Murphy and Marty Sadowski at the beginning of the round for fourth place. Brian Murphy struggled with the quicker greens throughout the round and shot a whopping net 98. Marty also struggled, but not as bad, and shot a net 85 to sneak into fourth place for the tour series.

Breakdown of Tour Series winnings were  Kwang Yim — $110,  Bob Ingram — $70,  Brian Duffy — $40,  Marty Sadowski — $20.

We were greeted by Tommy Stewart all the way up from Florida for a visit and he shot a very nice net 72 to finish in second for the Royal Manchester event.  Kwang Tim’s net 69 took first place honors. Bruce Grau and Bob Ingram were one shot back with net 76.  Tommy Stewart captured the first CTP at the 130 yard number 6th hole and Bob Ingram captured the second CTP at the 149 yard 11th hole. Kwang took three CLEARS while Tommy Stewart, Bob Ingram, Bruce Grau, and Marty Sadowski took one CLEAR each.

Below is the layout of the Royal Manchester event, Tour Series standings, and list of Tour Series past winners.  Have a great Thanksgiving.

ROYAL MANCHESTER SCORES & PAYOUTS

2018 TOUR SERIES STANDINGS & PAYOUTS

TOUR  SERIES    WINNERS

2004  Alan Burke; finale @ Arizona

2005  Brian Duffy; finale @ Myrtle Beach

2006  Bob Ingram; finale @ Waverly Woods

2007  Marty Sadowski; finale @ Beechtree

2008  Gill Nichols; finale @ Beechtree

2009  Bob Ingram; finale @ Waverly Woods

2010  Gill Nichols; finale @ Waverly Woods

2011  Brian Duffy; finale @  Maryland National

2012  Gill Nichols; finale @ Woodlands

2013  Bob Ingram; finale @ Worthington Manor

2014  Marty Sadowski;  finale @ Wyncote

2015  Gill Nichols; finale @ Myrtle Beach

2016  Bob Ingram; finale @ Wyncote

2017  Kwang Yim; finale @ Waverly Woods

2018  Kwang Yim; finale @ Royal Manchester