HOHENADEL HOLDS OFF SLOWINSKI TO WIN 89TH IPGA CHAMPIONSHIP
FRANK HOHENADEL OF MIDLOTHIAN COUNTRY CLUB WINS THE ILLINOIS PGA
CHAMPIONSHIP IN HIS FIRST ATTEMPT, BY 4 SHOTS OVER MATT SLOWINSKI
OF GLEN OAK.(photo courtesy of IPGA/Nick Novelli)
Frank Hohenadel won the 89th Illinois PGA championship at Medinah,
he is the first southsider to win it in 49 years. Hohenadel shot a 1 over
par 72, which was good enough to hold off the late charging Matt Slowinski
by four shots.
It wasn't easy for Hohenadel to to wrap it the James S. Kemper Cup
without some anxious moments on the back nine. At one point late
on the front nine, Hohenadel had a five shot lead. After the 14th hole
he found himself tied with Slowinski, who had made up three shots
in just two holes.
Hohenadel made a double bogey after missing the 14th green long
and then three putting from about 15 feet. Hohenadel had a short
second putt, and putted it trying not to step on the line of Slowinski
and pushed it past the hole. Headed to the 15th tee, it was the first
time in two days Hohenadel didn't lead.
After a great drive on the 15th, Slowinski's second shot was long,
and right, then bounced off the cart path. The end result was Slowinski
having to play a shot from past the 16th tee box. It appeared he would
dodge the mistake, but when Slowinski's short bogey putt lipped out
resulting in a double bogey he fell two strokes back.
Hohenadel hadn't played the hole that well, and left his greenside chip
short of the green. But from just off the green and 15 feet from the pin
he holed the chip for a saving par and a two shot lead. A lead that he
would not relinquish.
"Matt and I didn't make it look to easy for a while, " Hohenadel said.
"We missed a lot of greens and had to scramble, that's what you have
to do on that side. Not pull out the driver too much and play with some
strategy."
FRANK HOHENADEL HITS A SHOT IN THE FINAL ROUND OF THE ILLINOIS PGA
CHAMPIONSHIP AT MEDINAH.(photo Nick Novelli)
The IPGA Championship was Hohenadels fourth IPGA event of the
year, with the others being assistants events. With the game he
showed the question is why he wasn't out more often.
"I just didn't have the confidence to play in these type of tournaments,"
Hohenadel said. " I do play some assistants tournaments, but when
we have outings at Midlothian I work those because we paid extra for
them. If you go to the assistants events you are gambling a bit doing
that. Maybe now I need to start playing more."
Hohenadel saw his two shot lead grow grow to three shots on the par 3
16th, when after leaving himself shortsided and long. Hohenadel hit a
great flop shot to within three feet. While Slowinski saw yet another par
putt lip out from three feet.
"I just kept trying to play my game and plug along, " Slowinski said. 'We
got tied and then after being in good shape in the fairway, I made my worst
swing of the day which got compounded by a bad break, but happy with
how I played for the week. Second place is still good."
Slowinski said he will look forward to defending his title at the IPGA's last
major of the year, The Players Championship at Eagle Ridge in October.
MATT SLOWINSKI RIPS A DRIVER IN HIS ATTEMPT TO CATCH WINNER FRANK
HOHENADEL AT THE IPGA CHAMPIONSHIP. SLOWINSKI MADE UP FIVE SHOTS
TO CATCH HOHENADEL, BUT SOON GAVE THEM BACK LOSING BY FOUR.
(photo Nick Novelli)
Eight time defending champion Mike Small golf coach at University of
Illinois, playing in the group in front of the leaders was unable to mount
a final round charge to extend his streak. Small shot a two over par 73
to finish in a tie for third.
Small was gracious in defeat, walking over to shake Hohenadels hand
and congratulating the man who ended his run that ran for most of a
decade.
"When I played well I won those tournaments, " Small said. "This year I
did not play well, so that's how it should be. You know you wont win
everyone you play in, I had a good run but I played well in that run. I
haven't played well all summer, but I will be back next year."
The hole that marked the end of Small run, was the seventh hole when
Small made double bogey. "That put a damper on things, " said Small."
11 Illinois PGA members earned trips to the 2012 PPNC Championship,
including Flagg Creeks Billy Rosina who won a six players for one spot
playoff to earn the final spot.
Due to playing conditions at Medinah, the entire three rounds were played
under lift, clean, place rules. Having to do that came a surprise to the players.
The Medinah #1 course played to a yardage of 6,737 yards, and a par
of 71. The 2012 IPGA Championship will be played at Stonewall Orchard
Golf Club in Grayslake in the northern suburbs.
TO HEAR INTERVIEWS WITH DEFENDING CHAMPION MIKE SMALL, RUNNER
UP MATT SLOWINSKI, AND CHAMPION FRANK HOHENADEL CLICK HERE:
Download | Duration: 00:11:59
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