After two days of rain on the preceding Thursday and Friday, 36 players teed it up for this
year’s Jim Jackson Invitational Championship at beautiful Algonquin Golf Club. Saturday was
a spectacular fall day for the participants, including several Club Champions, past Jackson
Champions, and other players who qualified throughout the season thru their high finishes in
our events.
The course, playing at 6200 yards, played very long because of the wet conditions and inability
to cut the roughs in the previous days. The course played as a Par 70, playing Hole 10 to a
Par 4 rather than its usual Par 5 for the members. For the most part, the course won with no
one able to break par.
However, several players played very well in the conditions. Chris Kovach (Old Hickory Golf
Club and the 2019 Jackson Champion), Chad Niezing (Two time Jackson winner) and Jason
Landry (Greenbriar Hills and current Benson Champion), managed to post early round 70’s to
lead the way at even par. Close behind were Sean Brennan (Westborough’e Club champion
and 2021 Geiss Champion), Buddy Allen (Dalhousie Golf Club), and Drew Pranger (Glen Echo
Club Champion and 2017 Jackson Champion). The course played harder throughout the day
as the wind continued to swirl, making club selection extremely tough.
Sunday brought another spectacular Fall Day, but the players still played preferred lies due to
continued wet conditions. In the final group, Kovach, Niezing and Landry pairing was to be a
great battle for the championship. In a strange accident on the fourth hole, Landry dislocated
his thumb and was forced to withdraw.
Throughout the day, Niezing hung onto a slight lead, with Kovach and Pranger chasing and
keeping within striking range. However, Niezing made an unfortunate double bogey on the Par
3 17th Hole. Kovach made Par so they were tied going to 18. In the Group ahead, Pranger left
a Birdie putt short. resulting in the low round of the day at 70, with a two day total of 143. In
the group behind, Kovach hit his second shot onto the green, while Niezing’s shot landed just
short of the green into nasty rough. Chad chipped onto the green, but Kovach was away, and
two putted for birdie, for a second round total of 71 and two day total of 141. Niezing missed
his birdie putt, having to settle for Par for a 72 and two day total of 142. Congratulations to
both for a great match.
Jim Jackson’s children Betsy and Beau with champion Chris Kovach
And many thanks to Director of Golf Scott Sandfort, District Rep and incoming DistrictPresident 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 2022 for some outstanding venues for our 2022
season.