The El Rancho Chico Golf Club concluded its season with the End-of-the-Year Player-of-the-Year Tournament held at Bidwell on October 29, 2023. Travis Shute and Ben Heerema emerged as champions in their respective divisions, marking a significant achievement in a competitive year.
In the white tee men’s division, Shute clinched the Player-of-the-Year title by accumulating a total of 2,900 points, finishing just 25 points ahead of Miles Tegarden. The competition was fierce, with only 750 points separating the top ten players in the standings. The final tournament featured the top twenty point leaders from the season, and Shute’s consistency throughout the monthly tournaments proved decisive.
The leaderboard in the white tee division showcased a talented group of players, including Shawn Anderson, Adam Almand, and Steve Vance, among others. Their performances throughout the season contributed to an engaging and closely contested race for the title.
Heerema, competing in the yellow tee senior division, dominated the competition, winning by a remarkable 1,025 points over Jeff Nedved. The top half of the standings included notable players such as Pat Goodwin and Lloyd Hightower, showcasing the depth of talent within the senior ranks.
The final tournament also featured various contests, including gross and net skins and closest to the pin challenges, which added excitement for participants. Rio Gates took home the overall low gross score in the white tee flight with a score of 77, while Tegarden secured the overall low net score at 69. Gates nearly captured the Player-of-the-Year title but fell just short in the final standings.
In the yellow tee flight, Nedved achieved overall low gross honors with a score of 71. The net category was led by Lane Bates, who posted a score of 67. Other players earning recognition in the net category included Susan Pease and Tina Dunlap, showcasing a competitive atmosphere throughout the tournament.
Skins contests added another layer of competition, with players in both divisions eager to claim their share of the payouts. Notable winners in the white tee flight included Adam Almand and Matt Ferguson, while Heerema and Dennis Lundy excelled in the yellow tee flight.
Despite challenging weather conditions, which included fog that affected other tournaments in the region, the atmosphere at El Rancho remained warm and inviting. Players celebrated the end of the season in a spirit of camaraderie, reflecting the strong community surrounding the club.
The season’s conclusion not only highlighted the skills of individual players but also underscored the importance of sportsmanship and community engagement within the golfing community at El Rancho Chico Golf Club. As the year wraps up, players look forward to future tournaments and the opportunity to build on their performances for next season.
