Chris Clemens of Southern Dunes GC battled the field, as well as Mother Nature to earn his first career individual Indiana Section victory. Clemens shot an even par 72 and was able to tame The Trophy Club’s difficult layout and wind gusts that occasionally exceeded 40mph. The conditions were some of the worst in recent memory and it showed as the field averaged a score of 82. While the wind and chilly temperatures grabbed everyone’s attention, Clemens was able to turn in an extremely impressive round of golf.
Beginning play on the 10th hole, Chris got off to an impressive start by making birdie on three out of his first four holes, but bogies at 15, 16, and 17 left him with a one-over 37 on his front nine. He again got off to a quick start on his back nine by making birdie at #1. After five consecutive pars, he birdied the 7th hole but gave that shot right back with a bogey at number eight. He finished with a back nine score of one-under par 35 for an even par round of 72. He knew that the conditions would require patience. “I knew I had to be extremely patient today,” said Clemens who is a teaching professional at Southern Dunes GC in Indianapolis. Clemens noted that he had a good winter, although he has not played much golf lately. “I haven’t played a lot lately, but the facilities at Southern Dunes have been great, and Jamie (Broce) has been such a huge help to my golf game.” While Chris’s first love as always been golf, recent developments have allowed him to keep his game a little more in perspective. Clemens and his wife are expecting their first child in June. “I feel so blessed to be in such a good place right now” said Clemens.
While the victory in and of itself is incredibly impressive, Clemens also earned one of two spots that were available into June’s Nationwide Tour United Leasing Championship at Victoria National GC. Chris was joined by Dave Carich of The Bridgewater Club who fired a one-over par 73 to finish second and earn the other available spot into the event. Carich also played impressive golf with a round that included fifteen pars. Earning a spot in the Nationwide event will add to an already impressive 2012 schedule for Carich who is playing in the Senior PGA Championship in May.
2011 Indiana PGA Player of the Year John DalCorobbo (Prairie View GC) tied for third with a round of 75. He was joined by Bill Schumaker (Crooked Lake GC), Mike Liming (Youche CC) and Corey Potts (Twin Lakes GC) who all finished with a three over par total.