verdugo Takes Top Spot in UrHo Classic

As participants gathered, much trash was being talked about the 2008 winner, Steve Schroeder, and his tourney record of a 39 on the south course of the GOLF-O-RAMA at Steakburger in Vancouver WA.

"With 21 competitors this year I'm guessing it's anyone game." said Mike Merrill, former player (2006 UrHo Classic Champion) and tourney official, "The talk this year is all about Schroder's ability to pull a three-peat, but we've got a lot of new blood this time."

But it wasn't any of the new blood that took the top spot. dalas verdugo, who placed 9th last year with a 55, grabbed a big lead at about the 8th hole with a hole in one, and went on to dominate the tournament with a total score of 40 to take the $100 grand prize. "That's the best round I've played in my life," verdugo admitted. As for being two strokes away from the Tourney Record? "I feel crushed. I'd give back the $100 if I could have two strokes."

Schroeder, losing his chance to be a three time champion, was gracious, "I started slowly and felt off my game. Maybe the heat got to me, maybe it was the lack of coffee, but dalas deserves that win." Schroeder ended in 7th place with a 54.

The heat was not just an excuse this year. The tourney started at a warm 78 degrees and climbed up to 87 by the time of the shoot outs. "Is there a penalty for heat stroke?" someone joked.

Merrill's "new blood" performed well, with 2nd place score of 47 was Terra (originally from Vancouver, but her first time at GOLF-O-RAMA) and in 5th place with 52 was Chris Stamm, and Robby Russell in 6th with 53. Dave H. won the "Pie Hole" for the 2nd year in a row, this time in a five person shoot out on hole #14. And Sarah Meadows took home the Courier Coffee from hole #5 in a head to head shoot out with Willow McCormick.

"She was a fierce competitor" said McCormick of Meadows. Both scored a hole in one to meet at the shoot out, and then tied with 2 strokes, and then tied with 3 strokes, and then tied with 4 strokes! The crowd grew around hole #5 as the battle continued, with Meadows then returning to par and taking the win. "She bested me," McCormick said, "But she better watch out next year."

Congratulations to all the prize hole winners and to dalas verdugo, winner of the 4th Annual UrHo Classic. Next year promises to be even bigger than ever!

Full Standings:

1st dalas v. 40
2nd Terra 47
3rd Josh B. 50
4th Dave H. 51
5th Chris S. 52
6th Robby R. 53
7th Willow M 54
7th Jac D. 54
7th Steve S. 54
10th Bruce 55
10th John A. 55
10th Anja 55
13th Jeff H. 56
14th Jae C. 57
15th Molly 58
16th Noa 60
17th Adam F. 61
18th Carlos 62
19th Rita B. 64
19th Sarah M. 64
21st Nathan M. 72