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A look at who qualified for the Evansville Men’s City Golf Tournament

A look at who qualified for the Evansville Men’s City Golf Tournament

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Vaseline

EVANSVILLE — The most anticipated moment of the Romain Cadillac Men’s City Tournament qualifier comes at the end of each year. Who will overcome the nerves and advance to the playoffs?

This year proved once again that it never gets easier.

The 2024 Evansville Men’s City Tournament officially begins Aug. 3. The first order of business was to fill 71 spots in the field. Both venues, Fendrich and Helfrich, needed extra holes Saturday to determine the final pairings in two weeks. One required more than a dozen players to return to the tee.

More: Taylor Howerton Wins First Evansville Women’s City Golf Championship

“I’d be lying if I said my stomach didn’t turn,” Kevin Moore said. “One time I was in a 16-man playoff for two (spots). That was probably a little more stressful, but it’s still the same. Still trying to earn your spot.”

The toughest play-off went to Fendrich with 14 players for 10 spots. Six players made par on No. 10 to earn their ticket. The final four were not decided until the third play-off hole which ended well after 7:00 p.m. local time. Some participants had played their round, gone to work or dinner and then came back.

Ben Meier, Tom Gayhart, Ryan Knapp and Moore had to go the distance. The latter took a tough route after popping his drive on the 17th hole and narrowly missing the trees on his approach on the 18th. He made pars on both holes, thanks to his caddie, Matt Price, who kept him calm. This was the third year in a row that Gayhart advanced from a playoff.

The play-off at Helfrich lasted just two holes with seven players vying for two spots. George Nord claimed the first with a nine-iron to 12 feet on No. 1 and a birdie. Justin Waiz earned the other with a birdie on No. 2 after a deep drive just short of the green.

“Nerves?” Nord said. “I’m 66. I don’t have any anymore. I bogeyed the last two holes and knew I was in trouble. I had the exact same shot (in the play-off) as I did the first time. With that distance, I knew I had a good shot and (made) a good putt.”

This was Waiz’s first competitive round ever. The Memorial graduate played basketball and baseball in high school but didn’t pick up a club until the pandemic hit. A job at Rolling Hills Country Club led to free rounds and a new passion. The biggest difference in the sport? Every moment is focused on him.

He hit a par putt above the hole at 1. His long drive at 2, which he credited to the adrenaline he felt off the tee, led to a birdie putt inside five feet.

“I’ve always had teammates behind me,” Waiz said. “This is the first time I’m alone. I’m on the range all the time and I feel like I’ve worked hard for this. It’s not much because I know there are much better players on the field. But this is the first time I’m trying to qualify and it’s a great experience.”

Who shot the lowest round of the day?

You don’t often see scores like this from Helfrich.

Nicholas Gushrowski posted a 7-under 64 from the day’s third group with eight birdies. His round went from good to great with a near-perfect 31 on the back nine, with birdies at 10, 11, 13, 14 and 17. For reference, the lowest score at Helfrich last year was 71. The Michigan City native recently graduated from the University of Evansville, where he played collegiately.

Jackson Strong had the lowest round at Fendrich with a 3-under 67. He recorded six birdies, including five on the back nine (10, 12, 14, 17 and 18).

Who qualified from Fendrich?

There were 51 spots available from 140 players. Here are the players who advanced:

Jackson Strong (67); Christian Farley, Cade Schiff, Isaac Wyrick, Ryan Chandler (68); Jared DeLong, Ryan Horstketter, Alex Cook, Will Brackett (69); Kurt Seib, Lucas Zielinski, Mason Royalty, Nick Henderson (70); Bo Hargett, Brandon Moore, Tyler Toopes, Mark Murray (71); Clint Sallee, Daniel Woods, Dustin Jourdan, Sam Porter, Kyle Powell, Jacob Murphy, Henry Schreiber, Colton Simpson, Andy Reddington (72); Adam Bosler, Nic Winters, Nathan Dewan, Evan Bonnell, Timothy Crowe, Evan Hassler, EJ Wilder, Stephen Smith, Sean Vanover, Keenan Brodecky (73); Ed Prevo, Daniel Marlow, Brayden Johnson, Ryan Bacon, Eric Ma (74); Glen Fehr, Brad Niemeier, Ryan Knapp, Nic Pierrard, Tom Gayhart, Ben Meier, Ryan Robison, Kurtis Anthony, Scott Gowdy, Kevin Moore (75).

Who qualified from Helfrich?

There were 20 spots available from 53 players. Here are the players who advanced:

Nicholas Gushrowski (64); Brady Fiester (72); Joshua McGill, Tanner Bruce, Jake Schiff (73); Daniel Preske, Blake Zeller, Alex Oliver (74); Matthew Godsey, Isaac Marx, AJ Stuckey, Mason Mills, Hunter Riggs, Sam Ziemer (76); Reid Lorey, Connor McClarney (77); Bradyn Carrie, Jacob Eble (78); George Nord, Justin Waiz (79).

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