Tom Tower jumps into first place on the National Order of Merit by 1.5 of a point with his victory at the WGAT Open.

Centreville MI 6/10/2103

The 2nd WGAT Open just concluded at Island Hills Golf Course in Centreville Michigan located on Lake Templene just north of the Indiana border in Amish county. WOW is the best word to describe the golfing treat that the players got to experience. With emerald green fairways lined with golden fescue and the perfect huge greens that were rolling at a 12 all cut through natural wooded rolling hills. The site for the 2013 WGAT Open was special. 

National order of Merit leaders Oscar Rafols and Don Lyons were not in the field which open the door for the field especially for 3rd place position holder Jerry Edwards from Louisville Kentucky.  “After my performance at the WGAT Masters I was surprised to be in 3rd place on the National Order of Merit” Edwards said in a pre event interview. “I was more surprised to see the top two leaders not in the field” Edward's added. Jerry took full advantage of the opportunity by placing in 2nd place with a net scores of  76, 69 to finish one over par. Jerry earned 601 points which vaulted him past both Rafols and Lyons. After the WGAT Open Rafols now stands in 4th place while lyons slipped to 8th.

However it was not enough to take over first place because of Tom Tower’s Win and 700 points, who was in 7th place entering the WGAT Open edged out Edwards for the honors by 1.5 of a point. “Its nice to be in first but it is far from over with two more majors left” said Tower’s in his post event interview, “ Jerry is a very good golfer and I am sure Rafols and others will be battling for that spot on Team USA”. Towers added.

Tom Towers dominated the WGAT Open with a run away performance on the final day carding a gross 86 for a net 64. Tom’s 86 is his best score in Tournament play in over a year and it was luck that got him there. “The 11th hole was the turning point for my round, I was convinced I had sliced my ball into the marsh and prepared to take my penalty when magically my ball was in the middle of the fairway with a scuff on the ball”  Tower explained, “It obviously hit something and I benefited from the lucky bounce, from that point on I pared the next 4 holes”. Towers concluded.  Tom held a three stroke lead 

going into the final round and despite a shaky start with two double bogies on holes 1 and 2, Tower’s never relinquished the lead and finished in style with a birdie on the 36 and final par 5 hole.

With the WGAT Open Victory Tom won a free exemption into Nationals and stands atop of the National Order of Merit with 1440 points. In addition Towers was the largest money winner taking home $876.00 in the optional side games giving him a grand total of $1475.00 for the event. 

Notables: 2011 Flight 2 National Champion Mark Thomas finished in third place. Mark would have finished in 2nd if he had not signed and turned in a scorecard that had a 5 on a hole vs the 4 he shot. Mark earned 553 points moving him into 3 place. 

2012 Flight Three National Champion Mary Hauk finished in 6th place with net scores of  78, 73. Mary earned 403 points moving her up the rankings to 9th.

2013 Masters Champion Cordy Worth finished in 10th place with net scores of 82,82. 

2012 WGAT Open Champion Bruce Gallo was unsuccessful defending his Title finishing in 13th place with net scores of 88,87. Bruce recorded a 12 on the same hole twice preventing him ever to make a move.