Frozen Open Lives Up To Its Name

Jacksonville Native Ryan McCook Braves Artic Temperatures To Win At Flounder's

It was teeth-chattering, finger-numbing, snot-freezing cold outside - and the players wouldn't have had it any other way!

Flounders The Frozen Open did more than just live up to it's name. Temperatures in Chicago hovered around zero throughout the weekend with the wind-chills plunging well into the negatives.

But if you thought sub-zero temperatures would keep players away from Flounder's Bar & Grill then you don't know Golden Tee!

Armed with winter coats and a fire to compete, over 50 players from across the country braved the elements and kicked off the 2008 tournament schedule with an entire weekend of good times - and of course, Golden Tee.

"It's called the Frozen Open," commented Steve "0verfiend" Moskalin. "So I talked to God to have him make sure the name fit. There were quiet a few people that didn't show up because of the cold. But overall I was very happy with the turnout."

Despite some players wearing hats and coats and others shivering through their rounds, the players that came out never let the cold bother them, or their games, as mirth and off-the-wall antics filled Flounder's from start to finish.

But in a strange turn of events, it was a southerner who acclimated to the cold weather and lit up the competition.

Tournament director Steve "0verfiend" Moskalin (above center) put on one heck of a tournament despite sub-zero temperatures. Players, including Jeff Harlow (below), wore hats and coats indoors to combat the cold.

Team USA member Ryan McCook left 74-degree weather on Thursday - only to be welcomed by 16-degree on Friday in Chicago. But apparently he packed some warm clothes and space heaters because he was red hot!

Ryan McCook

McCook and teammate Marc "The Mouth" Muklewicz won the doubles event on Friday night. And his hot streak did end there as he finished as the top qualifier on Saturday.

But Muklewicz wasn't frozen stiff either. The Naperville, IL native finished second behind McCook in qualifying along with winning Friday night.

So it was only fitting that the pair would decide the winner of the Frozen Open. Muklewicz and McCook went into sudden death in their first match - with McCook hitting a hole-in-one to win. So when the two met again in the finals, Muklewicz was going to have to win twice to take the title. But McCook never gave him and option - knocking off Muklewicz and taking the first tournament of 2008!

Former world champion Jeff Harlow took third and Frank Knowles placed fourth.

But McCook wasn't the only winner at Flounder's. Taking down the Purple Bracket was Mike Butler. Local fan-favorite Jimmy Mac took second and David Ball placed third.

Then there was the raffle where everything from golf balls, to clubs, to a free entry into the PCC was up for grabs. Chuck "Chuckwagon" Speiser, despite losing his tickets in his pocket and saying he won EVERY prize that was raffled off, actually did walk away the big winner of a set of Ben Hogan irons in a Rumpleminze golf bag! And, no surprise, the hottest man - temperature wise - McCook won the free entry into the PCC.

"Whomever said that you can't have a great tournament without a high entry, high payout combination was wrong!" exclaimed 0verfiend. "It was a $30 entry, and I have only heard positive responses. With just over $1100 in the Calcutta and over $2500 in the prize pool, it was far from the 'richest' event, but it resulted in a great weekend! Plus, we were also able to raise $500 for the PCC, which is of course was very appreciated!"

Frozen Open Lives Up To Its Name

Jacksonville Native Ryan McCook Braves Artic Temperatures To Win At Flounder's

Congratulations Ryan McCook - 2008 Frozen Open Champion!

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