Same Outcome, Different State
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Same Outcome, Different State

Haas Dazzles in Qualifier But Kinzler Turns Up Heat In Match Play to Take First Title of '10

MugshotsA new year brings new possibilities. In the world of Golden Tee, a new year brings an entire slate of tournaments that are ripe for the taking. Last year we saw some of the game's finest continue to win while others cemented themselves as title contenders with great performances. In our first major tourney of this year, we once again saw a bit of both.

A total of fifty-two players teed it up as Mugshots Sports Bar and Grill played host to the 2010 Florida Open.

Each of the fifty-two players competed in a 5-course qualifier on Saturday. While the results of the qualifier were far from a surprise, the margin of strokes separating our top qualifier and the rest of the field certainly was.

Stow, Ohio's Andy Haas has been nothing short of a tournament beast. He won the Denver Open late last year, then rolled through last year's TOC - without question the biggest tournament of 2009.

In 2010, he began right where he left off – putting up a total of –128 in the qualifier! For those of you keeping score at home, that's nearly a –26 average on all five courses! Even more impressive, however, was the fact the he beat our second place qualifier by six strokes!

Coming in a somewhat distant second with a combined score of –122 was Chicago's Graig Kinzler – another GT world champion who has showcased an unbelievable knack for playing big in big tournaments. Minnesota's Tony Johnson and Todd Penticoff each shot –119 and qualified third and fourth.

KinzlerWith the top 32 in place, bracket play got underway. Although Haas did his best to keep up with his impressive qualifying scores - including double eagling the 18th hole to force sudden death in one of his matches - he couldn't come up with an answer for Texas up-and-comer Mark Stenmark.

Stenmark has come onto the GT scene with authority of late and should be a major force in tournaments for years to come. Many consider beating Haas once in a tourney something to go home with. Stenmark managed to accomplish this feat twice.

Although riveting, these two weren't the story of the day. Throughout the matches, upsets and dramatic moments, it was Golden Tee's most consistent force once again stealing the show. After qualifying well, Kinzler took his game up a notch, avoided defeat through the entire tournament, and made his way into the finals. Once Stenmark beat Haas for the second time, the final matchup between the veteran (Kinzler) and the rising star (Stenmark) was set.

In the end, Kinzler showcased why he's built to win pressure-loaded tournament games as he defeated Stenmark to take the Florida Open crown! Kinzler took home the title and Stenmark settled for second. Andy Haas and Michigan's Jeff McClellan finished third and fourth. Although this was a different tourney to get the ball rolling, this marks the second consecutive year where Kinzler has begun the tournament season with a victory. Last year, he won the Frozen Open title back in January. Congratulations to Graig on another unbelievable win!


If the Florida Open is a sign of things to come, then 2010 might just be one of the better GT years in recent memory. Keep your calendars open, trackballers. The Wisconsin Open is coming just in time for NCAA tournament time next month, and the Missouri Open follows shortly after that. For information on all of Golden Tee's upcoming events - visit the 2010 tournament thread on Underdogsports.net!

Golden Tee 2010

Rock On.