MICHIGAN SENIOR NET AMATEUR: George Kachnowski of Beverly Hills Wins
FLINT – George Kachnowski of Beverly Hills, 71 years-young and playing in GAM Net events this summer for the first time, rolled to a three-shot victory in the 8th Michigan Senior Net Amateur Championship presented by Michigan Golf Live Wednesday at Flint Golf Club.
Kachnowski, retired from a lengthy career in software with Compuware Corp., shot a closing 1-over-par 72 on the heels of a net 67 from Tuesday’s first round to total 7-under 139. Playing off 13 shots of handicap he shot a gross 80 in the first round, and 85 in the final round.
“I had my best round of the summer (Tuesday), and I don’t know where it came from because I’ve been playing lousy,” he said. “I really surprised myself. I play at Lincoln Hills, a nine-hole public course by our home, and the last round there was a 45. It’s just goes to show you, in golf you never know what is going to happen.”
Three golfers finished three shots behind Kachnowski in a tie for second, and with a scorecard playoff Keith Jabour of Livonia was awarded the runner-up trophies. He shot a final net round of 70 for 142.
The other two golfers at 142 were Rich Schlotterer of Commerce Township, who shot a final 72, and David Lindlbauer of Canton, who shot a net 67.
Bart Daig of Grand Blanc, who shot 74, and Pete Karsten of Clarkston, who shot a net 70, were next at 143.
The tournament featured senior male golfers over age 55 with GAM/USGA handicap indexes lower than 20.4. The Senior Net Amateur is among five Net championships presented as part of the GAM’s continuing effort to provide competition for members of all playing ability levels on some of the state’s top golf courses. The GAM played par at Flint Golf Club as 73 for the Net tournament.
Kachnowski said he held his second round together with good tee shots, but the key to victory was his first round.
“I came close to breaking 80, which I’ve never broken before,” he said. “Naturally, that round was pretty unusual. Today’s round was more like my normal.”
Kachnowski said a hot putter made the first round happen. It included his only two natural birdies of the tournament, and he closed out the round by rolling in a 60-foot shot with his putter from off the green.
“Nothing exciting today, but I hit good drives, kept it in the fairway,” he said.
Kachnowski said a nephew had suggested to him several times that he should play in the GAM Net events, and he finally tried it this summer.
“I like playing when it means something, and I’ve always been one to play skins and all that kind of stuff,” he said. “These GAM events are great. I never expected to win one, not with my game. I’ll have to play in more now.”
RESULTS: GAM.org
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