Locals survive 18-hole oven at Gateway championship

ST. LOUIS -- Crystal Springs Quarry Golf Course is a lot of things, but cool isn't one of them.

Tuesday the Gateway Section PGA played its junior golf championship at Crystal Springs, and it couldn't have been hotter.

The heat index reached 110 degrees. All of this was after a 30-minute rain delay due to an electrical storm. The clouds and rain provided some relief. But shortly after the shower, the clouds parted and the clambake was on.

"We were all really hot," Tanner Werner said after finishing his rain-shortened round of nine. "It bothered me."

The 11-year-old from Jackson was lucky his clubs didn't melt in his hands.

"It made you tired," he said. "Everyone was talking about how hot it was."

Because of the rain delay, the younger players' rounds were cut from 18 holes to nine to ensure that everyone would complete their play before dark.

Werner, playing in the boys 12-13 18-hole division, finished the day with a 41 on the back nine and carded a two day score of 126. Brandon Pleimann of Jackson shot a 96 Monday and a 46 Tuesday for a two-day total of 142. Nick Langley of Ballwin, Mo., won the division with a 27-hole score of 118. He shot 79 on Monday and 39 on Tuesday.

Langley's brother Scott won the boys 14-15 Tour division with a 151 after a 76 on Monday and a 75 on Tuesday.

In the 16-18 boys Tour Division, Kirk Lohmann carded a 77 Monday and an 82 on Tuesday for a total of 159. Lohmann, who had the best season for his age group in the Southeast's Tour division, finished 12 strokes off the championship pace. Stephen Hughes of St. Louis won the event with a 70-77--147. Gabriel Sauer of Jackson shot 97 on Monday and 91 on Tuesday for a 188 total.

Gabe Sauer of Jackson scored a 97 on the first day but did not post a second-day score.

In the boys 14-15 Tour Division, Zachary Richardet of Perryville shot 92-92--184, 33 shots behind the leader.

Despite the conditions, Werner was able to shave six strokes off his score on the back nine from the previous day.

"I played smarter today," he said. "I hit the greens in regulation and was able to two-putt and move on."

Despite not finishing at the top of the leaderboard, Werner was still satisfied with his day on the blazing course.

"I felt better than I did yesterday," he said. "I wasn't mad when I was finished; I was happy."