SDGA senior tourney starts today at Lakeview

Mitchell’s Lakeview Golf Course will host its third South Dakota Golf Association tournament of the summer this weekend when the 2009 Senior Championship comes to town.

The tournament starts today and runs through Sunday afternoon. A total of 132 senior players age 55 and older are signed up to golf at the event, which begins with tee times at 7:30 a.m. today.

“It’s real good (for the course),” Lakeview club professional Dan Sabers said of having three SDGA tournaments at Lakeview throughout the summer. “You get people to see your course and showcase your course and if they like it, they talk good about it and come back.”

Sabers explained that the tournament will be a two-day stroke play tournament. There are eight flights, and the overall champion will be the golfer with the lowest 36-hole score, regardless of flight.

A trophy will also be awarded to the low golfer age 70 or older.

Sabers said Mike Brummer, of Rapid City, is likely the tournament favorite as he enters with the lowest handicap. Brummer will be joined by 11 golfers from around the state in the first flight.

There are several local golfers entered in the tournament. Dave Fridley and Dave Feiner are in the fourth flight; Lonnie Wiese, David Margheim and Terry Imus are in the fifth flight; Ken Trammell is in the sixth flight and Eddie Klose and Larry Meyerink are in the eighth flight.

Players from flights one through four tee off early this morning and start the second round Sunday afternoon. Flights five through eight begin Saturday afternoon and start the second round Sunday morning. Tee times start at 7:30 a.m. today and run through 1:10 p.m.

As well as being good for Lakeview, Sabers said hosting SDGA tournaments — especially two-day tournaments — is good for the city of Mitchell as well.

“Some (golfers) came in (Thursday) already,” Sabers said. “Everyone traveling is staying in hotels, eating in town and socializing. Anytime you bring people to Mitchell, it’s good for everyone involved.”

Mitchell has gotten rain the past few days, but Sabers said it hasn’t hurt the course, and in fact the course is in excellent shape for the weekend’s tournament.

“The course is in tremendous shape; it’s the best it’s been all summer,” he said. “Kevin (Thurman) and his crew have done a fantastic job.”

Tags: lakeview golf course, sports, sdga, golf