Cape golfer earns a spot in Junior PGA Championship

Todd Obergoenner thought his golf game was shaping up.

It was officially pronounced fit last week at Normandie Golf Course in St. Louis.

Obergoenner, 16, shot a 1-under 70 to win the Westfield Junior PGA Championship by three strokes and qualify for the Junior PGA Championship July 17-20 at the Westfield Group Country Club in Westfield Center, Ohio.

He will be the boys' representative for the Gateway sectional, one of 43 sectionals nationwide. Over 10,000 golfers were expected to compete at the sectional championships, but the national field is an elite one, featuring only about 90 boys and girls, including several of the top-ranked junior golfers in the world.

Besides winning a spot in the field, Obergoenner will go first class with airfare, hotel lodging and meals included.

It's the highlight of a young golf career that already has a few achievements on the resume. Obergoenner recently completed his sophomore year at Cape Girardeau Central High School, where he was the Tigers' lone qualifier for the Class 4A state tournament in May. He finished 20th with rounds of 77 and 81 at the Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club in Bolivar, Mo. .

But his game has stepped up since then, the product of better ball striking and putting, and peaked at Normandie.

"I've been playing well lately," Obergoenner said. "I hadn't gotten any good breaks until then. Everything kind of came together that day."

That is, except on the first hole, where a double-bogey start made the round all the more impressive. He rebounded with three birdies on the front and made the turn at even-par 36. He shot a 1-under 34 on the back.

The round took on an even better look when storms canceled the second day of competition. He received two trophies, the first for winning the boys' 16-17 division, which had 36 players in the field, and an even bulkier second trophy for winning the overall title. A total of 89 boys ages 13-17 were in the tournament.

The Junior PGA Championship is a four-day tournament with an impressive alumni list. Former champions include tour professionals Billy Mayfair (1981, 1982), David Toms (1984), Rick Fehr (1979) and Ty Tryon (2000), and such notable runnerups as Tiger Woods (1989, 1990) and Justin Leonard (1989).

Pair of aces

Madge Ridings recorded a hole in one this past week at Cape Girardeau Country Club. Riding used a driver to ace No. 16, a 160-yard par 3. Witnessing the shot was Riding's husband, Hal.

Walter Fiehler of Cape Girardeau sank his first career hole in one Tuesday at Bootheel Golf Club in Sikeston, Mo. Fiehler accomplished the feat with an 11-wood on No. 5, a 139-yard par 3. Witnesses were George Glasscock, Tom Doyle and Don Lang.

Cape Girardeau C.C.

Linda Tewis won the Women's Golf Association's annual handicap tournament Thursday.

Tewis finished shot an 86 and finished with a 65 net, one stroke better than Dana Underwood, who had a net 66 after a round of 92. Mary Ellen Bean placed third with a 70 net.

Closest to the pin winners were Vicky McKinney (No. 6), Mary Alice Regenhardt (No. 8), Mary Jane Eftink (No. 11) and Janet White (No. 13).

Chip-A-Ways

Dee Johnson won the Chip-A-Ways' weekly event at Cape Jaycee Municipal Golf Course with a 40 on the front nine.

Linda Williams placed first in "B" flight and Jo Ann Williams won play of the day -- "Score on Odd Holes." Lillian Angle finished with the low-putt total.

Chip-A-Ways members fared well at the Bloomfield Tournament. Caryn Michel and Mari Davis took second in championship flight with Dee Johnson and Jan Weihold taking third. Sharon Dow and Deanna Peterman placed first in "B" flight.