Coming into the final day of the 2024 NOGA Great Lakes Auto Scratch Series season, there was still much to be decided. Both divisions started the day with at least three players within two strokes of the lead, and their finishes would not only determine who would win the Tour Championship, but Player of the Year as well.
The Championship Division turned into a three-player race during the first six holes. At his home course, Howard Clendenin avoided any big mistakes early to keep him within striking distance heading into the final twelve holes. Clendenin would finish with five birdies in those last twelve holes on Firestone South, completing the day with a three under-par 67.
Clendenin’s 4-under par total of 136 made him the only player in the field to shoot under par on both tournament days, propelling him to a six-stroke win in the Championship Division of the NOGA Tour Championship.
The Senior Division finale was close throughout the day, as no player took more than a two-stroke lead. Even after struggling with five bogeys on the front nine, Tom Laubacher maintained the leading pace with nine holes to play, as the entire Senior Division field struggled on the South.
Tom was able to post his first birdie of the day on the par-three 15th, increasing his lead to two strokes. Tom would have to bounce back once more after a double-bogey on 16, and he would do just that, finishing par-par and securing a three-stroke victory in the Senior Division.
Watch for the final NOGA Player of the Year points standings in a story later this week…
PHOTO GALLERY: 2024 NOGA Tour Championship RD2 >
FINAL RESULTS: Northern Ohio Golf Association
2024 NOGA Great Lakes Auto Tour Championship
Firestone Country Club Fazio Course, Akron
Monday, September 9, 2024
Hole-by-Hole Golf Genius Results >
Championship Division
1 Howard Clendenin, Firestone Country Club, 69 – 67 = 136 $400.00
2 Vaughn Snyder, Shady Hollow Country Club, 69 – 73 = 142 $300.00
3 Chris Okeson, Mayfield Sand Ridge Club, 67 – 76 = 143 $225.00
4 Ben Hogan, Oberlin Golf Club, 72 – 74 = 146 $175.00
5 Thomas Bell, Stone Ridge Golf Club, 73 – 74 = 147 $125.00
6 Ryan Wirtz, NOGA Club E, 71 – 77 = 148 $100.00
T7 Andrew Malkus, NOGA Club E, 74 – 77 = 151 $37.50
T7 Brian Smith, Oberlin Golf Club, 74 – 77 = 151 $37.50
T9 Rick Deichert, Canterbury Golf Club, 73 – 79 = 152
T9 Kyle Buzaki, Fox Den Golf Course, 75 – 77 = 152
11 Timothy Moore, Mayfield Sand Ridge Club, 77 – 76 = 153
12 Ian Hardesty, Barrington Golf Club, 78 – 77 = 155
T13 Andrew Grayson, Weymouth & Fox Meadow CC, 74 – 84 = 158
T13 Jeff Sawitke, Quail Hollow Country Club, 76 – 82 = 158
15 Doug Barber, NOGA Club E, 78 – 81 = 159
16 Brian Beebe, Firestone Country Club, 78 – 92 = 170
Championship Skins: $45.00 ea
Howard Clendenin – Birdie on 12, Birdie on 13
Rick Deichert – Birdie on 14
Vaughn Snyder – Birdie on 9
Senior Division
1 Tom Laubacher, Club Walden, 73 – 77 = 150 $400.00
2 Doug Hauenstein, NOGA Club E, 73 – 79 = 152 $300.00
T3 Rick Bryson, NOGA Club E, 75 – 78 = 153 $175.00
T3 John Toth, Fox Den Golf Course, 72 – 81 = 153 $175.00
T3 Jim Durr, Silver Lake Country Club, 78 – 75 = 153 $175.00
6 Robert Schustrich, Trumbull Country Club, 75 – 79 = 154 $100.00
7 Tom Skidmore, Weymouth & Fox Meadow CC, 72 – 83 = 155 $75.00
8 Mike Belacic, Westfield Country Club, 78 – 78 = 156
T9 Chris Minear, Good Park Golf Course, 76 – 81 = 157
T9 David Trier, Firestone Country Club, 78 – 79 = 157
11 Scott Winckowski, Toledo Metro Golf Association, 76 82 158
T12 Allen Freeman, NOGA Club E, 76 – 83 = 159
T12 Mark Borlin, Silver Lake Country Club, 79 – 80 = 159
T12 Tom Baugh, Portage Country Club, 77 – 82 = 159
15 Dean Cutlip, Firestone Country Club, 81 – 85 = 166
Senior Division Skins: $46.67 ea
Rick Bryson – Birdie on 14
Allen Freeman – Birdie on 11
Tom Baugh – Birdie on 13
Jim Durr – Birdie on 10
David Trier – Birdie on 3
