Can it be -- we are already past our Amateur Championship? (The picture is dawn emerging over the 9th hole at the White Bear Yacht Club.)The 108th MGA Amateur Championship wrapped up today at the White Bear Yacht Club. Spring Hill's Donald Constable claimed the title with solid play. He opened with a 5-under par 66 and never looked back. He followed that with a 71 in the second round and finished with a 2-under par 69, including a birdie on the 18th hole. This is Constable's first stroke play title. He finished second to Tom Hoge in the 2010 Amateur and won the 2009 Players' Championship (the MGA Match Play championship).
His 7-under par total of 206 was three better than the Yacht Club's Adam Riddering and Dillon Schultz of Springfield Country Club. Schultz recorded a 5-under par 66, including birdies on three of his last four holes, to tie Constable for the low round of the week.
Despite the stellar play (nine players finished at or below par), the week will be known for the excessive heat. Monday saw the heat index reach 115* and Tuesday was about the same. But, Tuesday set a record for the highest dew point in Minnesota meteorological history of 82. Apparently, this was second to only the Amazon Rain Forest for highest dew point on the planet that day. Even a two and a half hour delay due to a thunderstorm on Tuesday did not provide any relief; in fact, it made it worse. Adding more moisture to the air, the oppressive heat returned when the sun reappeared shortly after the storm passed. Fortunately, a steady breeze kept the air moving on Wednesday and made it more bearable.
As a means to keep the players hydrated, the MGA provided water and sport drinks in coolers at both the first and tenth tees. In addition, the Yacht Club staff did a yeoman's job of keeping eight 10 gallon coolers filled on the course. The players, caddies, spectators and MGA officials went through nearly 500 gallons of water, and (it is rumored) over 1,000 bottles of water and Powerade. Fortunately, there were only four individuals (three players and one caddie) who needed to be escorted in from the course for safety precautions.
Many thanks to the MGA staff and volunteers for the countless hours they put in to make the Amateur Championship a huge success!!
Thanks to the members and staff of the White Bear Yacht Club for graciously allowing us to use their wonderful facility!!
And, congratulations to Donald Constable, 108th MGA Amateur Champion!
Until next time-
Doug
