Rudquist shoots 4 under to win

By RYAN GALVIN

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- ; Jason Rudquist of Minneapolis will have fond memories of his first New Ulm Invitational after cruising to a six-shot victory in the 41st Annual New Ulm Invitational.

Heading into the final 27 holes, Rudquist trailed Mike Wanless of Maplewood by one shot. He got things going early on the sunny Sunday morning when he birdied the first hole. Rudquist played steady golf for the next 17 holes while Wanless struggled and others failed to make a move. Rudquist shot par for the first 18 holes, and Wanless staggered to a seven-over 78.

Mathew Witham of St. Paul was four shots off Rudquist's pace after his one-over 72, for a 36-hole mark of 144, with nine holes left to play. New Ulm's David Heisler was five shots back at 145, and Wanless was a shot back of Heisler.

"I tried to put myself on a level ground with everybody else," Rudquist said about his lead with nine holes left to play.

And that approach worked as he carded pars on the first three holes. Then, he birdied the par-5 13th hole as did Wanless and Witham. He took par on the next four holes and birdied the 45th hole to finish at four-under par.

Heisler played his final nine holes in one-under to take second. He finished at two-over, one shot better than defending champion Wanless. Wanless regrouped and played his final nine holes a shot under par. Witham concluded his weekend at four-over par. Dan Howard had two rounds of 74 and a nine-hole score of 37 to take fifth. Jeremy Anderson and Tim Andersen tied for sixth place, a shot behind Howard.

First Flight - Andy Pettit had to overcome a four-shot deficit to win the First Flight for the second time at the Invitational. He did it as a competitor in the Second Flight a few years ago. He finished at seven-over 149.

Chuck Schmid scored 40 on the front and 36 on the back, to shoot his second 76 of the weekend, good for second. New Ulm Country Club member, Roger Fortwengler carded a 153 and finished in third.

Second Flight - Roger Guenette hung on to take home the Second Flight trophy. He bogeyed every hole on the back nine, including a double-bogey on the 11th hole and finished at 162, a shot better than Dave VanDien and Terry Martell. VanDien recorded a nine-over 80, five shots better than Guennete but it wasn't enough. Martell went 42, 41 for a second-round total of 83.

Third Flight - The Third Flight witnessed a comeback just like the top two flights. Jim Hannegan started the day five shots behind NUCC member Leo Wallner. But Hannegan shot an 80 for a two-day total of 166. Bob Miller finished two shots back of Hannegan at 168. Wallner took third with a 36 hole total of 169.

Fourth Flight - New Ulm native, Rick Schnobrich avoided high numbers (double and triple bogeys) as he shot an 82. He totaled 169, seven shots better than runner-up Rob Cherney. Joe Horan took third with a total of 181.

Fifth Flight ­ Mike Farrel's net score of 135 was good enough for first in the Fifth Flight. Dan Szczech took a close second and Brian Cherney came in third.

Senior Championship Flight ­ Jeff Garske birdied his final hole to win the Senior Championship Flight and finish at 13-over. He shot two-over on the day. Erik Newhouse bogeyed the final hole to finish a stroke behind Garske. Michael Krey picked up his game for the final 18 holes as he shot eight shots better on Sunday than Saturday- 84, 75- to take third.

Senior Flight ­ NUCC member Carl Paa won his second Invitational in the Senior Flight as he netted a 129. He had gross scores of 88 and 87, when handicapped was 65 and 64. Vic Sargent had a net score of 133. Jim Buchanan and Marty Aksteter both recorded 136.