Popular Platz gains city title

From the way Stewart Platz played down the stretch at the Lawrence Amateur Golf Assn.’s Men’s City Championship, the 48-year-old didn’t appear nervous at all.

But, in this case, looks were a bit deceiving.

“Oh, I felt the pressure,” Platz said with a laugh. “I just guided it around the golf course, I guess.”

Platz might have felt the pressure, but certainly he didn’t show it, posting four birdies on the back-nine Sunday at Eagle Bend to finish with a 69 and win the two-day City Championship by four strokes over Chris Hutchens.

Heading into the day second overall after shooting a 74 Saturday at Alvamar, Platz ended his day in style on the tough par-4 18th. After a good drive and a solid 5-iron, Platz drilled a 25-foot birdie putt to complete the day at 3-under par.

“I was just trying to get it close. I didn’t want anything more than a tap-in at the end,” said Platz, who works as an aerospace engineer in Lawrence. “I was obviously really happy that it went in. I would have been happy if it got close.”

Platz was able to crack a smile on the final green as onlookers chanted “Stewww” while he picked his final putt out of the hole.

“I golf with a lot of the people from around the area,” Platz said, “so I think they were cheering me on.”

The 41-year-old Hutchens put together a solid round in his own right, finishing 1-under on the front nine before posting an even-par 72.

“I started out today not hitting the ball very good, but I was putting great,” Hutchens said. “On the ninth hole, I made a slight adjustment in my stance and I started hitting the ball a lot better, but then I started putting poorly. I couldn’t quite put the two together.”

Hutchens said he still had a great weekend, especially after being able to see longtime friend Platz win the title. The two have golfed together in Lawrence for about 15 years, and for a time played together every Saturday.

“I couldn’t have been more proud or happier for anybody in Lawrence, Kansas,” Hutchens said. “He’s probably one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.”

Conrad Roberts finished with a two-day total of 147 for third place. The former Kansas University golfer made a run for the lead with birdies on Nos. 10, 11, and 12, but finished with a 72.

Jon Broz took fourth with a 149, and Mike Grosdidier, who led after day one, placed fifth after firing a 77 on Sunday.

Grosdidier shot even par to keep his lead into the turn but fatigued on the final nine holes, going 5-over on the back stretch.

Rob Werling, still recovering from a Friday trip to the hospital and kidney stone pains, shot the only other round under par with a 71, good for sixth overall.

Kyle Kreighbaum took the B Flight championship with a 156, topping Neil Ezell by four strokes.

Shannon Ross won the C Flight with a 160, and Maurice Monteau took low-score honors in the D Flight with a 173.

The event, which had an LAGA record of 76 golfers, raised $1,200 for the Headquarters Counseling Center in Lawrence.