Thirty-six players teed it up for this year’s Jim Jackson Invitational
Championship at beautiful Algonquin Golf Club. Saturday was a beautiful fall
day but a cool start for the participants, including several Club Champions,
past Jackson Champions, and other players who qualified throughout the
season through their high finishes in our events. The course played at 6200
yards and as a Par 69 with holes 10 and 18 playing as a Par 4 rather than
their usual Par 5 for the members. As has been the history, the course won
with only 2 players breaking par on Day 1. The two players breaking par on
Day 1 was Justin Bryant (St. Louis Country Club and this year’s Mid Am
Champion and Men’s Champion) and Jason Landry (Greenbriar Hills Country
Club). Both players shot 2 under par 67. There were several other players
that played very well with Chad Niezing (Two time Jackson winner) a couple
strokes back at even par 69, Brevin Giebler (Dalhousie Golf Club) at 1 over
par 70 and 3 players (Ryan Schuenke-Quincy Country Club, Scott
Edwards-Gateway National-past Champion, and Buddy Allen-Dalhousie Golf
Club) at 2 over par 71.
Sunday brought another spectacular Fall Day. It was mostly sunny, not as cool
as Day 1 and light winds. Unfortunately one of our Day 1 Leaders Justin
Bryant had to withdraw due to an injury. Justin was vying to be the STL
Districts 1st 3-peat winner (Mid Am Champion, Men’s Champion and Jackson
Champion) but unfortunately due to that injury it wasn’t to be. So with Justin
out, the rest of the field looked to make up ground on the outright leader
Jason Landry. The course again got the best of the field as nobody broke par
the 2nd day. There were still some good scores fired with Zach Decker
(Sunset Country Club) posting a 1 over par 70, Chris Kovach (Old Hickory
Golf Club and past Champion) posting a 2 over par 71, Brevin Giebler and
Ryan Schuenke posted a 3 over par 72. These players battled all day but at
the end Jason Landry played solid golf all day. Jason had a 6 shot lead heading into 18 and cruised
in with a finishing score of 1 over par 70 for a 5 shot win and a 2 day total of
137. Brevin Giebler took 2nd place with a 2 day total of 142 (won scorecard
playoff) with Zach Decker finishing at 142 as well for a 3rd place finish. Chris
Kovach, Ryan Schuenke and Chad Neizing all finished with a total of 143.
Congratulations to Jason Landry and the others for another great tournament.
And many thanks to Director of Golf Brett Moomey, District Rep and District
President Tom Moore, and Superintendent Rob Kick for hosting this great
event and having the golf course in its usual tremendous condition. Special
thanks go out to the Algonquin membership for allowing us to conduct the
event on prime time weekends. Finally, a shout out to our awesome team of
volunteers who assist us in all of our events. They are great Rules Officials,
and do a fine job in assisting players find their golf balls in the tough
Algonquin rough. Our events would not be the success that they are without
their assistance. Thanks to all who participated in the Jackson and throughout
the year. We greatly appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you in
2023 for some outstanding venues for our 2023 season.