Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Ultra and Westside State Savings Bank advance into the Men's Supper League finals! Let's Go Hawks!

 


It will be your Ultra team playing the Westside State Savings Bank for the Men's League finals next week. 

Long time subscriber, former top local amateur, highly successful, 2022 and 2023 Senior City Champion, and very veteran golfer Craig Mertz tied the head casket himself Kyle Atkinson, Bud Two Troy beat Peterman Tony Pietig, Bud Three Steve "Hans" Auen beat Chad Kanne and Bus Guy Pat Greteman crushed Mouthpiece Mike Franey. 

Westside State Savings Bank went to a low net team card off to secure their spot in the championship over Champion Ford. 

In the consolation bracket, it will be OH BOBBY against Harley Davidson of Carroll. 

Expect more coverage and analysis prior to championship night. 

It is that time of year again! 



 

Respectfully submitted 
ON IOWA AND GO HAWKS! 

Mouthpiece Mike Franey

Monday, August 28, 2023

Abbotts tops a strong field in a playoff to win the 18th Bill Franey Open.

 

Shirley Franey, Mike Franey, and two-time champion Brett Abbotts


For the second year in a row, it took extra holes to crown a champion of the Bill Franey Open!

Kole Petersen, Scott Quandt, Shirley Franey, Mike Franey, Kyler Ludwig and Brett Abbotts
The playoff four!
After 27 holes four players were tied with a score of five under par 103. Brett Abbotts(32-36-35), 
Scott Quandt(34-35-34), Kyler Ludwig(34-33-36) and KolePetersen(34-34-35).

Abbotts dashed the hopes of the field by making a long right-to-left breaker for an eagle on the first playoff hole. This is Abbott's second Bill Franey Open championship. He also won the tournament in 2012.

Abbotts who overcame a shoulder injury has really only started to play more golf in the last couple of years. Abbotts said, “I like the competitive aspect of it because I have not played many individual tournaments since my injury.”

Abbotts is in his second year as the superintendent of the Greene County Schools. Education runs in the family as his wife Kourtney is the high school principal for the Carroll Community Schools.

“I think that the even par 72 cut line for the final nine was the lowest in tournament history,” Tournament Director Mike Franey said. After going to the card off the championship flight ended with Kyler Ludwig in 2nd, Kole Petersen was third, and two-time champion Scott Quandt was fourth.

Scott Quandt and Jason Fisher tied for low medalist honors in the final nine with two under par 34.

Other players in the championship flight were Jason Fisher 105, Elijah Block 106, Collin Hackett 106, Cody Jaeschke 107, Kyle Atkinson 108, three-time champion Wade Pettitt 109, Paul Tigges 109 and Eric Buttenbach 113. Brett Underberg qualified for the final nine and did not play.

Cody Jaschke and Eric Buttenbach

Kyle Atkinson, Jason Fish and Paul Tigges

Wade Pettitt, Scott Quandt and Elijah Block


Gary Bucher won the first flight with 74, second was John Dukes with 75, and third was Charles Becker 75.

Other players in the first flight were Jeromie Kramer 75, Dean Dozier 75, Steve “Cuda” Quandt 75, John Munson 76, Troy Auen 76, Doc Flander 77, two-time champion Mike Eckerman 77, three-time champion Craig Mertz 77 and Chris Van Dyke 78.

Wade Adams won the second flight with 78, Gus Collison was second with 78, and Wyatt Haukap was third with 78.

Other players in the second flight were Jeromie Hinote 79, John Nepple 79, Brad Stork 79, Steve Sinnard 79 Ryan Dalhstrom 80, Tyler Auen 80, Levi Stanley 80, Lonny Lehrkamp 80 and Terry Ruchti 81.

Matt Lujano won the third flight with 81, Aaron Rossini was second with 81 and Kevin Forke was third with 82.

Other players in the third flight were Jake Kimmes 83, Nate Mertz 83, Chad Kanne 83, Ryan Doncheskie 85, Clint Cummings 85, Tim Gute 85, Brent Henningsen 85, Tom Tait 86, and Steve Auen 87.

Joe Pawlosky won the fourth flight with 88, Benet Snyder was second with 88 and Pete Collison was third with 88

Others in the fourth flight were Jason Evers 88, Mike Franey 90, Brad Woodard 91, Joe Pick 91, Mike Killen 92, David Owens 94, Brady Underberg 95, Darrin Janning 95, and Nic Volquartsen 96.

A big thank you to Dave Destival for having the golf course in great shape, and Joe Foote, and Cody Renwanz for all their work in the clubhouse. “For the second year in a row we had another classic finish and it was great to see several carts following the final nine and the playoff,” said tournament director Mike Franey.

A big thank you to Sheri Mertz, Lisa Auen, and Shirley Franey for their help running the tournament, Danielle Weitl for printing the scorecards, Jill Morton for organizing the lunch Ike Auen Distributing Company for the tournament sign, Tim Gute and Market on 30 for their help with the plates, napkins and silverware, salads and desserts, Lonny Lehrkamp for the meat, Eckerman Jewelry for the donation of the trophy, and Curt Kirsch for the beans.

The tournament named after Bill Franey who passed away in May of 2006 attracted 61 players. The tournament was formerly known as the Al Hoy Memorial where Bill Franey served as tournament director for 25 years. In 2006 the board of directors of the golf course renamed the tournament the Bill Franey Open. Proceeds from the tournament support two power line scholarships given annually to a student training to be an electric lineman at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon. Franey was a lineman for 31 years and served as line superintendent for another 10 years for Midland Power/Greene County REC in Jefferson.

Shirley, Lynda, and Mike Franey are very grateful for all of the support of this tournament. See you next year on Sunday, August 25, 2024, for the 19th annual Bill Franey Open. 






Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Bill Franey Open......Ultra and Champion Ford advance in Supper League Playoffs and Hawkeye Football just around the corner!

 

It was a classic night in the fall league playoffs on the fairways and greens of the Carroll Country Club. Supper League's more popular team weathered the storm of the Carroll Glass Company. The match had a lot of ups and downs. Keith Pottebaum led the way for the glass company with three birdies. After nine holes the match was all square which required a scorecard audit to determine that the two teams were tied net as well. After consulting League CEO Brian Billemeir it was determined that this may have been a first. It was decided that the two teams would go play 17 and 18 where your Ultra team got off to a great start with birdies from Bud Two Troy Auen and Bud Seven Tyler Auen. In the end, the beers prevailed and are set to battle the caskets of The Sharp Funeral Home next week. It was a glorious match with players grinding and of course, the talkers talking. See you next week caskets! 


Champion Ford beat Muny Ball to advance to face Westside State Savings Bank. No match details were provided to this report from this match last night. That might be because the report has been on a little hiatus. 


The 18th Annual Bill Franey Open is set for Sunday, August 27, 2023. Tee times still remain. Thanks for your support! 


Happy Birthday Graddy! 



The football season is just around the corner! Today is the Senior City Tournament at the Carroll Municipal Golf Course. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Mouthpiece Mike Franey



Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Carpet One defends their title! Third place to Westside and Full Swing Golf win Consolation Bracket! Check out the important dates at the CCC!

 

Carpet One Floor and Home took care of business against a tough HD of Carroll team to win back-to-back championships in the Carroll Country Club's men's Supper League. 2022 CCC club champion Brad Hempstead tied the Head Hog Terry Ruchti. The head carpet Colin Bierl beat All World Wade Adams. The best golfer from Commercial Savings Bank playing in the finals Kevin Milligan beat Joe Pawlosky. Jon Sturm and Jerry Janson tied. The carpets won 6-2 for their second title in a row! Congratulations!



Championship Team- Brad Hempstead, Jon Sturm, Colin Bierl and Kevin Milligan


Cheers to the Back to Back Champions
Colin Bierl vs Wade Adams - Brad Hempstead vs Terry Ruchti

Joe Pawlosky vs Kevin Milligan - Jon Sturm vs Jerry Janson

The third-place match was all square after nine holes. The match went to a low net team score tie-breaker where Westside State Bank came out on top! Aaron Ahrendsen tied Kyle Atkinson, Jay Weisenborn beat Keith Pottebaum, Benton Snyder beat Karl Christensen and Matt Flosh Fleshner beat Chad Kanne. 

Chad Kanne vs Matt Fleshner - Karl Christensen vs Benton Snyder

Aaron Ahrendsen vs Kyle Atkinson - Jay Weisenborn vs Kieth Pottebaum


In the consolation match, Full Swing Golf topped Graddy's Tomatoes 5-3. Brett Pietig beat Tomato John Ryan Lynch beat Dr. Decay Nick Fangman, Tator Tot Tim Gute beat Wyatt Haukap and Riley Bach split his match with Rick Grote. 


Come celebrate a century of golf! 




Stop out for some fun! 


Respectively submitted, 

Mouthpiece Mike Franey

ON IOWA and GO HAWKS! 

A classic finish sees Martens outlast Block in a 5-hole playoff to win the 17th Bill Franey Open!

 

Shirley Franey, Champion Ross Martens, and Tournament Director Mike Franey

The battle was on as the sun was getting ready to set on the 17th edition of the Bill Franey Open. After 27 holes the tournament was still tied. It took five extra holes for Ross Martens to sink a birdie putt on the 8th green of the Jefferson Community Golf Course to seal the victory over a familiar rival in his friend and future brother-in-law Elijah Block.

The tournament looked to be swinging Block’s way as Martens’s approach shot on the second playoff hole ended up long and right. Martens recovered with a challenging up and down to keep his playoff hopes alive. The fifth playoff hole saw Block’s drive end up in the right tree line. Block’s second shot found its way over the 8th green creating a tough up and down. After Block chipped onto the green, he was still away. Block drained the lengthy comeback putt for his par save clearing the stage for Martens’s birdie attempt to end the tournament. When asked about Block’s putt to save par Martens said “I have watched him make a lot of putts in Jefferson so I was not surprised when it went in.” Martens drained the birdie and claimed the title over the defending champion. When asked about his battle with Elijah in the final group he said “We are very competitive so for the most part it felt like a normal day with Elijah. The finish was the most fun that I have been a part of and I knew I just needed to keep my head and hit good golf shots.”

The 2014 graduate of Harlan High School played golf at Iowa Western then he played two years at the University of North Texas and finished his schooling at Iowa State. While visiting Jefferson in 2020 he was introduced to Elijah by former clubhouse manager Micah Destival. In two short years, he has become a resident of Jefferson, working from home as a CPA for a firm in Indianapolis, engaged to Elijah’s sister Miriah with a November wedding planned, and enjoying playing a lot of golf with the Block family. Martens also won the 2016 Carroll Amateur.

2022 Champion Ross Martens and  his bride-to-be Mariah Block


For Block he said “I am disappointed but I am ok losing to a birdie.” Elijah’s father and Martens's future father-in-law Rod Block reminisced on Sunday with Todd Madson about a battle the two had in a past Al Hoy Golf Tournament(the tournament was renamed in 2006 to the Bill Franey Open) which saw Madson beat Block in a playoff on the same 8th hole that this year’s tournament ended on.


Other players in the championship flight were Eric Buttenbach 112, Ryan Feauto 112, Steve “Cuda’ Quandt 113, Paul Tigges 113, Jason Fisher 113, Todd Madson 113, Wyatt Haukap 115, Phil Engelson 116.

Mike Eckerman, Ross Martens, Elijah Block and Steve "Cuda" Quandt

Collin Hackett, Paul Tigges and Jason Fisher

Todd Madson, Eric Butenbach and Phil Engelson

Scott Quandt, Ryan Feauto and Wyatt Haukap

Kevin Forke won the first flight with 77, second was Dean Dozier 77, third was Josh Carlson 78.

Other players in the first flight were Chad Kanne 78, John Dukes 78, Lonny Lehrkamp 78, John Barratta 79, Justin Yetmar 80, Andy Reiman 80, Kyle Atkinson 80, and Tim Gute 81.

Bill Douglass won the second flight with 83, Bret Underberg was second with 83, and Tom Tait was third with 84.

Other players in the second flight were Tyler Auen 85, Hunter Peterson 85, Benet Snyder 85, John Nepple 85, Mike Franey 85, Pat Greteman 87, Tony Badding 88, Ryan Filloon 88.

Bill Badding won the third flight with 89, Terry Ruchti was second with 90 and Bill Bird was third with 90.

Other players in the third flight were Wade Adams 91, Jim White 92, Joe Powlasky 95, Steve Auen 96, Jon Heim 99 and Darrin Janning 99.

Scott Quandt and Elijah Block shared the final round low medalist honors with 34.

“This was one of the most exciting finishes in tournament history. A big thank you to Dave Destival and Jadon Block for having the golf course in great shape, and Elijah Block and Jordan Aubrey for all their work in the clubhouse. This was truly a classic finish and it was great to see several carts following the final nine and the playoff” said tournament director Mike Franey.

A big thank you to Sheri Mertz, Lynda Dukes Franey and Shirley Franey for their help running the tournament, Jim, Troy and Steve Auen from the Ike Auen Distributing Company for the tournament sign, Mike McDermott for printing the sign for the 17th time, Tim Gute and Market on 30 for their help with the plates, napkins, and silverware, Lonny Lehrkamp for the meat and salads, Cindy Lehrkamp for the 65th birthday cake for husband Lonny, Eckerman Jewelry for the donation of the trophy, and Curt Kirsch and Kim Hackett for the beans. Thanks to former Carroll Country Club Golf Professional Paul Tigges for assisting with the flighting of the tournament.

The tournament named after Bill Franey who passed away in May of 2006 attracted 48 players. The tournament was formerly known as the Al Hoy Memorial where Bill Franey served as tournament director for 25 years. In 2006 the board of directors of the golf course renamed the tournament the Bill Franey Open. Proceeds from the tournament support two power line scholarships given annually to a student training to be an electric lineman at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon. Franey was a lineman for 31 years and served as line superintendent for another 10 years for Midland Power/Greene County REC in Jefferson.

Shirley, Lynda and Mike Franey are very grateful for all of the support of this tournament. See you next year on Sunday, August 27, 2023




Wednesday, August 24, 2022

The Championships are set....Happy Birthday Terry Ruchti......Bill Franey Open attracting a good field!

 


The 2022 Men’s Supper League Championship match is set!

The number one seed Carpet One Floor & Home rode the wings of the 2022 Carroll Country Club Champion Brad Hempstead and Papa Joe’s boy Brad Pick to victory beating Karl Christensen and Wild Bill Beck respectively. Matt Flosh Fleshner rented a U-Haul from Pettitt’s to carry all of his handicap to the golf course parking lot. Fleshner then proceeded to beat the second-best golfer at the Commercial Savings Bank Kevin Mills Milligan for the only win for the bankers. The head carpet Colin Bierl tied Jay Weisenborn.

Team owner Matt Lujano was abnormally quiet after the loss and hinted at some changes to the team for next year. Team captain Billy Beck said the team just didn’t play up to championship standards and lost a close one. Industry insiders are questioning the line up that Beck chose for the semi final match as he left the big horses in the stable – City and Club Champion Justin Yetmar and Bill Franey Open Champion and Club Champion Aaron Ahrendsen. Beck referred to poor advice from a washed-up league expert as the reason for the line up selection.

With the win the carpets with square off against HD of Carroll. The cycles revved their motors to nip the Sharp Funeral Home 5 to 3. The cycles were led by All World Wade Adams and the head hog Terry Ruchti. Ruchti and Adams beat Chad Kanne and Giddy Up Wyatt Haukap. The hottest golfer on the planet Pat Greteman was the only winner for the caskets beating Joe Powlasky soundly. The head casket was out in the middle of South Dakota somewhere with spotty cell service. So I think he said “We got beat by a better team” Interim team Captain Chad Kanne was still elated after his hole-in-one on Thursday night at the Carroll Municipal Golf Course hole #3!

This publisher will have a championship match prediction early next week.

The consolation bracket brought intense competition both matches ending in a tie. The tie breaker was applied and after the dust settled Full Swing Golf and Graddy’s Tomatoes will play the consolation championship match next week.

Tator Tot Tim Gute and Tomato John were the winners for the ripe tomatoes. Tyler Putney and Monument Man Loren Boyce were the winners for Champion Chrysler.




 
Happy Birthday to the Head Hog! Enjoy the ride! 




The 17th annual Bill Franey Open field is filling up with past champions and top local golfers for this Sunday's contest. Three-time champion Long-time subscriber, former top local amateur, highly successful, 2022 Carroll Senior City Champion and very veteran golfer Craig Mertz, Two-time champions Scott Quandt and Mike Eckerman and defending champion Elijah Block are all in the field.  


Respectively Submitted, 

Mouthpiece Mike Franey

2022 Men's Senior Muny 2nd Place finisher



Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Ultra bounced from the playoffs.....Welcome Heath Henrich.....Bring on Hawkeye Football!

 



The first night of the playoffs proved to be the end of the regular season for Supper League's most popular team. The powerful Westside State Savings Bank clobbered the beers 6-2. Bud Two Troy grinded to win the last three holes to win the only match for Michelob Ultra. Long time subscriber, former top local amateur, highly successful, 2022 Senior City Champion and very veteran golfer Craig Mertz was beaten by Karl Christensen. Mouthpiece Mike Franey was crushed by Jay Weisenborn. Bud Three Steve Hans Auen was beat up by Willie Beck. 


In the second championship match Sharp Funeral Home borrowed a golfer from Westside State Bank to get by Champion Ford. Yettie Yetmar beat John Barratta. Giddy up Wyatt Haukap had a pillow fight with Josh Sporrer. Numbers Bob Mulhbauer proved to the MVP of the night shooting a 37 to beat Farmer Boy Clint Cummings. Only winner for the cars was Tyler Putney over Cable Guy Chad Kanne. 


Next week the matches are set - Carpet One Floor and Home vs Westside State Savings Bank and HD of Carroll vs Sharp Funeral Home. 


This publisher believes that the lineup that Westside State Savings Bank had on the course last night is unbeatable and will win the championship if unchanged. If changes are made it will make it possible for the carpets to have a chance. It will be a tough decision for the management of this team to avoid hurting the feelings of some players to ensure a championship trophy is raised on August 30th. 


HD of Carroll looks to be the favorite in the second match. Sharp Funeral Home might have a full set of subs lined up for next week.   



Welcome Hawkeye Heath Henrich to the club! Stop out and meet Heath! 


The tee times are being accepted for the 17th annual Bill Franey Open Golf Tournament. Three-time champion Craig Mertz and two-time champion Scott Quandt are confirmed in the field. 






Respectfully submitted
Mouthpiece Mike Franey

ON IOWA and GO HAWKS!