Howard wins New Ulm Invitational

By BOB VARMETTE

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- Stumbling home with two bogeys on your last two holes is not the way you want to finish a tournament. Unless you happen to have a five-shot lead with two holes to play.

Dan Howard bogeyed the 17th and the 18th to post a 39 on his final nine holes of the day, but he still won the Championship Flight of the 42nd New Ulm Country Club Invitational easily Sunday. Howard finished with a 45-hole total of 5-over 182.

"When I was on 16, I knew on 17 and 18 I could play conservative," Howard said. "I didn't want to make any mistakes. ... I was fortunate to have the lead that I did."

Howard finished four shots clear of a three-way tie for second place. Dave Heisler shot a 37 on his final nine to climb into second place with Scott Schuvellier and Brian Reagan, all at 186.

Reagan started the day just one shot back of Howard, but shot 38, 37, 39 Sunday.

Jeff Logan was fifth with a 187. Logan was also just one shot back of Howard after Saturday's round, but soared to an 84 over his final 18 holes.

"My playing competitors were having a tough go of it, just like I was," Howard said. "Fortunately, I was able to keep my game together and be the 2002 champion."

Howard, who lives in St. Paul and plays out of Keller Golf Club, had a one-shot lead before the start of play Sunday. Howard shot an even-par 71 Saturday.

"All day, the golf course was playing extremely difficult because of the high winds," Howard said. "The golf course played extremely tough, although ... the golf course was in great shape."

After a par on No. 16, Howard left his drive on the 17th just out of the fairway and came up just short of the green with his approach. Playing conservatively, Howard elected to putt from off the green and came up about 3 feet short. Howard missed the par putt and wound up taking five.

He came back with a drive right down the middle on No. 18. But his layup caught the long grass just off the left side of the fairway. After Howard dumped his third shot into the left greenside bunker, he sent his fourth shot all the way across the narrow green to the fringe on the far side.

From there, Howard two-putted for a circuitous bogey and the title.

"I've always had a lot of trouble with 18," Howard said. "In previous championships, it wasn't uncommon for me to hit one down into the parking lot. I wasn't nervous because I knew even if I made a couple of bogeys coming in I hadn't lost the championship."

In the First Flight, Tyler Hirth shot an 80 Sunday for a two-day total of 155. Hirth finished one shot in front of Darin Bunkers and Dan Palmer. Bunkers shot an 80 Sunday and Palmer fired a 5-over 76 in his final round.

Randy Paa was fourth with a two-day total of 158.

Dave VanDien captured the Second Flight, despite shooting an 86 Sunday. VanDien finished at 165, five shots ahead of Paul Johnson.

Dan Beckman, Greg Kjellberg and Paul T. Furth each were at 174 to tie for third place.

In the Third Flight, Pat Ubl edged Jim Byle by one shot, shooting an 82 Sunday to finish at 161. Beyl shot an 88 Sunday after posting a 74 Saturday.

Dustan Cross was third with a 164 after shooting an 82 in his final round. Dick Helmstetter was another two shots back in fourth after an 81 Sunday.

In the Fourth Flight, Chuck Gerber and Scott Berndt each were on 181 with Gerber winning the tiebreaker. Leo Wallner and Dick Kolnberger tied for third with 184s.

In the Fifth Flight, Mike Spahn won with a net score of 143. Ed Walsh was one shot back with a 144, and Ray Sagedal was third with a 145.

In the Senior Championship Flight, Don Rysavy posted a two-day total of 154 to finish two shots in front of Steve Mount. Ron Schmidt was third with a 161, and Eric Newhouse was fourth with a 162.

In the Senior Net Flight, Carl Paa won with a 121. Don Szczech was second with a 129, and Don Olson was third with a 136.