Results: The Payne Stewart Classic

Paul C. Gomez, Branson, MO (November 12, 2011)  Fall golf was at it's best at one of the best fall venues of mid-South America - Branson Missouri's Payne Stewart Golf Course.  The Arkansas tour hosted players from five states on a blustery cloud covered day that tested golfers of all skill levels.

Flight Winners:

Mike Dryer

Championship Flight (0-3.9) – Defending champion Mike Dryer of Bella Vista, AR hit a lot of good iron shots and kept it in play all day to hold on to his title and win the Championship Flight.  After 15 holes, Dryer and Al Smith of Cabot, AR were tied but the last three holes proved to be the difference and Dryer held off Smith's charge.  Don Karl of Lees Summit, MO placed third.  

Wayne Baldwin

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – Wayne Baldwin of Russellville, AR credited tenacity and 'making a few putts' with his victory in the Palmer Flight.  Certainly being a member of the course didn't hurt either.  John Todd of Wright City, MO finished strong by parring the final 3 holes to finish in second place by one stroke over Henry Maxeiner of Bethalto, IL.

Mike Quesenberry

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – After 9 holes, the Hogan field was close not separated by more than four strokes.  The back nine proved to be the difference maker as Mike Quesenberry of Wentzville, MO kept it together to shoot an 82 and win the flight.  Quesenberry said the key was being able to keep the ball down out of the wind and hit a lot of fairways.  William Wirtz of Maryland Heights, MO parred the last hole to edge out Ronald Polillo of O'Fallon, IL by one stroke and take second alone.  

Craig Merrill

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) -  Craig Merrill of Roland, AR said he wanted revenge on Payne Stewart from a prior performance - and got it by 'not trying anything cute.'  Among the five Sarazens playing, the only significant difference between the ten 9-hole scores was Merrill's front nine.  All the other 9 hole scores among all players were only a couple of strokes apart.  Merrill distanced himself on the front 9 and the rest of the field never caught up.  Keith Vess of Dardanell, AR beat Josh Hinojosa of Rogers, AR in a scorecard playoff to take 2nd place.  

Steve Oien

Snead Flight (20.0 +) – After starting with an 8 on the first hole,  Steve Oien of Weldon Spring, MO decided to play conservatively and stay out of trouble.  His strategy worked as he came back to lead the field on the front nine by 4 and cruising to a four stroke victory over Pat Cashin, of Dora, MO.  

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For a complete list of results and pictures visit our GCAT Facebook Page, the tournament results site, or go to our Picasa web site.

For more information about the GCAT of Arkansas:

Paul C. Gomez

Arkansas Director, Golf Channel AM Tour

917-553-3814

pgomez@GCAmTour.com