Jared Aldrich of Ada, Derek Blodgett of Rockford Win 10th GAM Net Chapman Championship
AUGUSTA, Mich. – Jared Aldrich of Ada and Derek Blodgett of Rockford, a pair of 43-year-old salesmen, survived a three-hole aggregate net score playoff and won the 10th GAM Team Chapman Championship presented by Summit Golf Brands Wednesday at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort’s Stoatin Brae Course.
“Honestly, it was an all-around ham-and-egg win,” Aldrich said. “Derek’s short game was on par with his chipping, and I was putting well, and if I didn’t drive it well, he did. It was a true ham-and-egg win for us.”
Aldrich and Blodgett shot a 5-under 66 in regulation in the unique format, as did Justin Scollin of Royal Oak and Matt White of Whitmore Lake setting up the playoff, which was also played with net scoring.
“We pulled it off scrambling on the first two holes of the playoff (holes 1 and 2), somehow making a bogey when we were both in the tall grass on the second hole,” Aldrich said. “There was pressure there that we are not used to, but we did make a good solid par on the third hole of the playoff (hole 18) to win it.”
The team of Jonathan Joseph of Wyoming and Justin Knoper of Grandville and the duo of Kevin Demorest and Robert Tuson of Clarkston tied for third after net rounds of 68.
A field of 42 teams played 18 holes of net stroke play in the format that calls for each player on the team to hit tee shots and then play the teammate or partner’s ball for the second shot. After the second shot the partners then select the ball with which they wish to score and play that ball alternately to complete the hole.
“This is the third time that we have played in this (tournament), and we were in contention the last time we did it, too,” Blodgett said. “The format is enjoyable, especially for a kind of higher handicap player that I am. It helps when you have a lower handicap player that can get you off the tee and then I can kind of contribute where I’m best around the pin.”
RESULTS: GAM.org or on your Golf Genius App.
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I think GAM does a nice job holding these net events, except as far as handicap administration. Mr. Blodgett posted two scores in Michigan in April, 2023. Two more scores presumably from a southern locale were posted in November, 2023. No scores have been posted since November, 2023. No scores were posted in 2022. Who knows if his handicap reflects his potential?
I am surprised that there isn’t a minimum number of handicap scores required.
Three 18 hole scores, or their equivalent, and one has a legitimate USGA handicap index. Failure to post a score in 12 months should result in a suspension of a player’s handicap by the handicap committee of the player’s club.
Mr. Blodgett has posted scores in 2022 and prior so his index is based on the best 8 of 20. He also has posted within the past 12 months. My issue is “peer review” along with the validity of his 12 month low index. He has played once in the past 4 years at his club. How is the club supposed to evaluate the accuracy of a member’s handicap index when no one plays with the member? Also, GAM typically uses a player’s 12 month low index in their net competitions. If a player has only posted 1 score in the past 12 months, the 12 month low is pointless.
As handicap chairman, I would have flagged the player for review after the competition. If his play was good enough to win in his first round of 2024, I would consider retroactively adjusting his index and awarding the title to the other team. He would need to have a great story to tell.