The El Rancho Chico Golf Club held its annual Player-of-the-Year Tournament on March 10, 2024, at Bidwell, showcasing the talents of its top golfers. Travis Shute emerged as the Player-of-the-Year in the white tee men’s division, while Ben Heerema secured the title in the yellow tee senior division. Both players accumulated the highest points throughout the year in monthly tournaments, culminating in a competitive final event featuring the top 20 point earners from each division.
In the white tee division, Shute claimed victory with a total of 2,900 points, edging out Miles Tegarden by just 25 points. The tight competition among the top ten players is evident, with only a 750-point spread separating them. Among those in the upper ranks were Shawn Anderson, Adam Almand, and Steve Vance, all of whom demonstrated strong performances throughout the season.
Heerema’s win in the yellow tee senior division was decisive, finishing with a remarkable margin of 1,025 points ahead of Jeff Nedved. Other notable players in the top standings included Pat Goodwin, Ed Anderson, and Lloyd Hightower, showcasing the depth of talent in this category.
The concluding tournament not only determined the Player-of-the-Year titles but also featured various contests designed to enhance the excitement of the day. In the white tee flight, Rio Gates achieved the overall low gross score with a round of 77. Tegarden took the overall low net title with a score of 69, closely trailing Shute for the Player-of-the-Year title. Other top finishers in the net category included Dan Evaro with a score of 70 and Shawn Anderson with a score of 74.
In the yellow tee flight, Nedved recorded the overall low gross score with a 71. The net category saw Lane Bates take first place with a score of 67, followed closely by Goodwin and Kimmelshue, both of whom recorded impressive scores as well.
The tournament also awarded skins in both divisions. In the white tee flight, Evaro, Almand, and Gates each secured skins, while Heerema and Lundy dominated the yellow tee flight, showcasing their skills throughout the day. The closest to the pin contests highlighted standout performances, with players like Nedved and Bates making noteworthy shots.
The week prior, the Chico-Paradise SIR’s Golf Club hosted a 4-Man Scramble Tournament at Bidwell, attracting 52 players. The winning team, comprising Greg (Henry) Brown, Jeff Day, AJ Haggard, and Don Krysakowski, finished with a score of 62.6. Other top teams included those of Dennis Bruggman and Mike Hull, who tied for second place with a score of 63.7.
Despite unfavorable weather conditions that disrupted tournaments for several local women’s golf clubs, the camaraderie and warmth of the clubhouse provided an inviting atmosphere for those in attendance.
As the season concludes, both the El Rancho Chico Golf Club and the Chico-Paradise SIR’s Golf Club continue to foster a vibrant golfing community, celebrating the achievements of their members while looking forward to another year of friendly competition.
