Allen Freeman of Brecksville jumped out to the early lead in the 2009 Greater Cleveland Skins Game race for the Thompson Cup, posting five birdies in nine holes and netting two skins.
Freeman’s winning birdies came at the par-4 second and the par-5 eighth at Fowler’s Mill, while birdies at 3, 5 and 9 knocked out some potential skins.
Also jumping directly into the points race with skins were Joe Tasca of Concord with a solid birdie right out of the gate at the par-4 first hole, and Paul Kish of Painesville Township with a great birdie on the signature hole at Fowler’s, the difficult par-4 fourth. Each skin was worth $103.50.
2008 Greater Cleveland Skins Game champion Steve Blackburn Jr. dipped his fingers into the pot right off the bat as well, grabbing the first pin shot of the season at the 170-yard par-3 third hole with a shot to two feet. Skins Game Director John Niedzielek nabbed the other pin shot, hitting it to 12 feet on the par-3 seventh. Each pin shot was good for $63.
The skins game travels to Powderhorn GC in Madison next Thursday, April 30 at 4:45 p.m. Players can enjoy the special green fee rates offered to the Skins Game of just $13 riding and $6 walking!
| 2009 GREATER CLEVELAND SKINS GAME STANDINGS – WEEK 1 | |||||
| Player Name | Total | Skins | Pin Shots | ||
| Allen Freeman | $207.00 | 2 | |||
| Joe Tasca | $103.50 | 1 | |||
| Paul Kish | $103.50 | 1 | |||
| Steve Blackburn Jr. | $63.00 | 1 | |||
| John Niedzielek | $63.00 | 1 | |||
— John Niedzielek
