Top seed survives in Men’s Regular

By Eric Morken

Alexandria Echo Press

It took 21 holes, but top-seeded Tyler Wanous got the job done to advance to the quarterfinals of the Men’s Regular Division first flight.

Wanous beat Brian Salzer on Wednesday despite Salzer winning holes 4 and 6 later in the round after the division participants started on the back nine. It was close all day as the biggest lead came from Wanous at 2-up after a birdie win on No. 1.

Here is a look at how the other seven contenders left in this field joined Wanous before they tee off on Thursday morning starting at 8:12 a.m.

Erickson def.

Schilling, 20 holes

Jake Erickson also needed extra holes to take down Daniel Schilling.

Schilling got back-to-back wins on holes 8 and 9 after Erickson had led by as many as three after making the turn. Erickson brushed that all aside to put the match away in two extra holes.

Herzog def.

Cranmer, 1-up

Michael Herzog finished with a flurry against Mac Cranmer to secure a 1-up victory.

Herzog won four of the final five holes on the front to erase what had been a 3-hole deficit on the back.

Cranmer won holes 11, 12 and 14, but Herzog responded to grab wins at 15, 16 and 17. Cranmer moved to 2-up after wins on 18 and 1, but Herzog finished strong to secure the win.

Kulics def.

Story, 4-2

Mason Kulics beat Kyle Story 4-2 as he took control early and never looked back.

Kulics won holes 14-17 and did so with a birdie and an eagle during that stretch.

Adams def.

Kinney, 4-3

Defending division champion Nicholas Adams won four of the first six holes and never looked back in the 4-3 win over Ian Kinney.

Adams shot a 35 on the back nine and put the match away with a birdie win on No. 6.

Larson def.

Davidson, 4-3

Riley Larson beat Stephen Davidson in a 4-3 final.

Larson won eight holes, including No. 12 with a birdie.

Bistodeau def.

Bloedorn, 5-4

Alexandria’s Brandon Bistodeau led by as many as four after his first nine holes against Zach Bloedorn, and he held that advantage throughout in a 5-4 win.

Drew Swedberg watches his tee shot on the 11th tee box during his Men’s Regular match against Cameron Meyer on Aug. 4, 2021. Swedberg won a close 2-1 final to secure his spot in the quarterfinals.

Bistodeau shot a 34 on the back nine on his way to winning holes 10, 11, 13, 15 and 16 He added another birdie win at hole 3 to help secure his spot in the quarterfinals.

Swedberg def.

Meyer, 2-1

Drew Swedberg, the 11th seed in the division, knocked off sixth-seeded Cameron Meyer by a 2-1 final.

Swedberg had three straight birdies on 18, 1 and 2 to erase a three-hole deficit that he faced on the back nine. Another birdie on 6 moved him to 1-up, and he followed it with a birdie win on No. 8