MACOMB — Despite inclement weather at the first-ever Western Illinois Amateur Golf Championship, the spirits of competitors and event organizers weren't dampened on Sunday when the event at WIU's Harry Mussatto Golf Course was called early due to heavy thunderstorms.
"I was very excited about the event and so were all the people who played," said Western Illinois men's golf coach and event organizer Mel Blasi.
"We had players from Burlington, Galesburg, Pittsfield and Quincy which was where we wanted to draw from," added Blasi. "We hope to build it in to a bigger and better event next year."
The first-year event drew 30 golfers from around the region, a number that Blasi hopes to increase in the coming years.
"The course lends itself really well to this type of event," he said. "It makes for a nice, competitive field and I think potentially we can build this into an event where we have 100 to 150 players."
The event, which was originally scheduled for two days, featured five age and gender divisions and was open to golfers of all skill levels.
Abby Ball was the winner in the women's division with a first-round scored of 84 while Kathy Veroni won the women's 55 and up division with an 82.
Dwaine Roche was the winner in the men's 55 and up division with a score of 75 while Colin Wilson took the men's division 1st flight with an 87.
The men's championship flight saw a tie atop the leader board as Tom Castillo and Tyler Thorman each carded a 77.
All scores were taken from Saturday's first round after the rains prevented completion of round two on Sunday.
"It's not out of the question to think we could have 60 participants next year," said Blasi. "We've done a good job using the money from registration as prizes which is great because you want the people playing to feel good about it."
Blasi said he's ready to plan other events in the future, including tournaments at other area golf courses throughout the year.
"It's my vision that we'll turn this in to a series of events down the road," said Blasi. "We'd like to see this expand to other courses in the area but we'll need to build this one first and see where that takes us."
By Ryan Bower The McDonough County Voice
"I was very excited about the event and so were all the people who played," said Western Illinois men's golf coach and event organizer Mel Blasi.
"We had players from Burlington, Galesburg, Pittsfield and Quincy which was where we wanted to draw from," added Blasi. "We hope to build it in to a bigger and better event next year."
The first-year event drew 30 golfers from around the region, a number that Blasi hopes to increase in the coming years.
"The course lends itself really well to this type of event," he said. "It makes for a nice, competitive field and I think potentially we can build this into an event where we have 100 to 150 players."
The event, which was originally scheduled for two days, featured five age and gender divisions and was open to golfers of all skill levels.
Abby Ball was the winner in the women's division with a first-round scored of 84 while Kathy Veroni won the women's 55 and up division with an 82.
Dwaine Roche was the winner in the men's 55 and up division with a score of 75 while Colin Wilson took the men's division 1st flight with an 87.
The men's championship flight saw a tie atop the leader board as Tom Castillo and Tyler Thorman each carded a 77.
All scores were taken from Saturday's first round after the rains prevented completion of round two on Sunday.
"It's not out of the question to think we could have 60 participants next year," said Blasi. "We've done a good job using the money from registration as prizes which is great because you want the people playing to feel good about it."
Blasi said he's ready to plan other events in the future, including tournaments at other area golf courses throughout the year.
"It's my vision that we'll turn this in to a series of events down the road," said Blasi. "We'd like to see this expand to other courses in the area but we'll need to build this one first and see where that takes us."
By Ryan Bower The McDonough County Voice