Fall 2016 Great Lakes Region NCCGA Tournament

The wind and very firm/ hard playing conditions made low numbers tough to come by both days. After day 1 DePaul (A) led ISU (A) by 3 shots, DePaul was led by Pat Mullaney's 75 (low round day 1), and Adam Gracik's 77. ISU was led by a pair of 77s from Hunter Simonini & Alec Sanderson. regional 1 champion Chris Bell (University of Illinois) shot 76 day 1. Day 2 tee times kicked off at 8 am (shotgun start) for the first hour of the round temperatures were around 45-50 degrees with 20-30 MPH winds. Around 10 am the temperatures and wind both rose. ISU (A) erased the deficit Day 2 and topped DePaul (A) by 7 shots for the regional title & national championship berth. ISU was led by a tournament low 73 from Alex Duffy, and a pair of 79s from Hunter Simonini & Jack Walsh. Final team scores, ISU (A) 789, DePaul (A) 796, ISU (B) 857, DePaul (B) 889, & Bradley 892. After 36 holes there was a tie for 1st place, Hunter Simonini (ISU-A) 77-79, and Joey Fremgen (DePaul-A) 79-77. On the 1st playoff hole Simonini tapped in for par, then watched Fremgen burn the edge on his par attempt, giving Simonini his first regional individual title. After sending two teams (ISU & DePaul) & one individual (Judson Bro) to the Spring 2016 National Championship, Fall 2016 did not go as expected for the Great Lakes region. Two very tough golf courses combined with chilly temperatures and strong winds made the playing conditions very difficult. Best of luck to Illinois State at the Fall 2016 National Championship, go out and grab another top 10 finish!