Wieland takes NUCC crown

Two-time defending champion Dave Heisler one stroke back

By RYAN GALVIN

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- Entering Sunday, eight golfers were within three shots of each other at the New Ulm Country Club. Everyone knew someone was going to elavate his game for the final 18 holes of the Men's Championship Flight for the Club Championship.

That man was Jason Wieland. After a 5-over 76 on Saturday Wieland went out and fired a 1-under 70 to take a one shot victory over two-time defending champion Dave Heisler.

Wieland, who admitts he had struggled in his four previous club championships, started the final round with a birdie on the par-5 first hole to put him within two shots of first round leader Tyler Hirth. He then played par golf for the rest of the front nine until he bogeyed the seventh hole. He got the shot back when he birdied the next hole and took the turn at 1-under on the day.

After three pars to start the back nine, Wieland went to 2-under with a birdie on another par 5, No. 13. But the 17th hole looked liked it was going to doom Wieland as he bogeyed the par-4.

"I thought I was going to be in a playoff," Wieland said about his bogey on hole 17.

He was very close to being correct as Heisler had a birdie putt from the fringe on the final hole to tie Wieland. But Heisler's tough downhill putt rolled past the hole to keep him at 5-over and secure victory for Wieland.

"It is nice to turn the game around and do something like this," Wieland commented on his first place score of 4-over 146,"I am very proud."

Heisler made his opportunity on the final hole by superb play on the first eight hole on the back nine.

He birdied two par-3s, the 10th and 12th holes without bogeying a hole to record a 33 on the back nine. But his string of four bogeys on the front side (holes two, three, four and five) en route to a 39 were too much to overcome.

Dave McClennan played steady golf all weekend. His 14 pars on Sunday were good for a total of 149 and a third place finish. But he failed to make a move at first place as he didn't birdie a hole until hole 18 when he made a spectacular putt.

Brian Brigger played along side Wieland and McClennan in the second to last group. All three were knotted at 5-over to start the day. A 3-over 74 on Sunday put him in fourth place with a 150.