Settlers Bay golf pro wins USGA qualifier

May 22, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH/ Frontiersman

PALMER - He's no Kevin Costner, but Settlers Bay head golf pro Jeff Barnhart pulled off a pretty passable Tin Cup imitation Sunday afternoon.

Barnhart bested 16 of Alaska's top pro and amateur golfers to win the state's local U.S. Open qualifier Sunday at Palmer Golf Course, earning a spot in the June sectional qualifier in Bremerton, Wash. A top finish there would land Barnhard in the U.S. Open.

&#8220It's definitely an underdog story,” Barnhart's playing partner and Palmer Golf Course director of golf George Collum said after the round.

Barnhart used his superior putting ability to tame the Palmer course, which played more difficult than usual because of patchy early-season greens.

&#8220It's May golf in Alaska,” second-place Rob Nelson of Anchorage said of the conditions.

Nelson, who is the head pro at Eagleglen Golf Course, and Moose Run pro Bryan Anderson finished tied at even par to finish one shot back of Barnhart.

While both said they were disappointed not to earn a trip to the sectional, they agreed that the well-liked Barnhart - who was the head pro at Palmer before moving to Settlers Bay this year - made for a fitting champion.

&#8220I'm very happy for ‘Barney,'” Anderson said. &#8220He's been a staple of Alaska golf for 15 to 20 years.”

Anderson and Nelson both finished before Barnhart, who was in the final group of the day, and talk in the clubhouse was of a playoff until Barnhart's group walked off the 18th green.

The Settlers Bay pro was 3-under on the back, including birdies coming home on 16 and 17. Collum said Barnhart's putt on 16 was the difference in the tournament.

&#8220He made a 40-footer,” Collum said.

That birdie only tied Barnhart with Nelson and Anderson. But the two leaders made par on the final two holes, meaning Barnhart's 10-foot birdie putt on the par-4, 394-yard 17th was the real difference-maker.

Following the round, Barnhart said he owed his victory to his steady putting stroke. No longer able to hit the long ball, he said he had to rely on his short game for the win, his first tournament victory in four years.

&#8220Thank God I can putt,” he said.

Barnhart said he gave himself little chance of winning the qualifier as the day began. Because of work responsibilities at Settlers Bay, he said Sunday's round was only his third of the year.

&#8220I love to play, but I've been concentrating on work,” he said.

Fighting his emotions outside the clubhouse, Barnhart said Sunday's win was a highlight of his golf career.

&#8220It's really, really cool,” he said.

In the Hollywood version of the story, the local golf pro works his way up through local and regional qualifiers to eventually contend in the U.S. Open. Following his unexpected win Sunday, Barnhart said he has no such illusions.

&#8220I'll get my (butt) kicked,” Barnhart said. &#8220It will just be fun to play.”

Still, he said playing in the sectional will definitely be a big deal.

&#8220This is a very small, kind of down home tournament,” he said. &#8220Down there it's going to be very fancy.”

Despite the rough course conditions - two holes were played on temporary greens - tournament participants said the afternoon turned out to be a memorable one. With a post-round barbecue at the clubhouse and 70-degree temperatures, even those who finished out of the running seemed to enjoy themselves.

&#8220How do you get better?” asked Wasilla's Ross Walther, who was five strokes back of Barnhart with a 76. &#8220Sunshine, no wind and no mosquitoes. Perfect.”

A top amateur player, Walther said he hadn't played much golf before Sunday, and was simply hoping to be competitive.

&#8220If I was in the middle of the pack, I'm happy with that,” he said.

Rob Nelson said simply having a qualifier in Alaska is a great opportunity for the state's best players.

&#8220I think it's great for golf in Alaska,” Nelson said.

Especially for one longtime Alaska golfer, a guy who never expected to have a chance at the big time.

&#8220It was the perfect day for me,” Jeff Barnhart said.

Now that he's earned a trip to the sectionals, Barnhart must try and coax his old buddy George Collum to come along for the ride. Two years ago, the duo decided that if one of them made the sectional, the other would caddy. Now Collum has to make good on the pact.

&#8220That was our deal,” Collum said.

With a busy summer of golf course management ahead of him, Collum said he's now going to have to find a way to take time off work.

&#8220I'm gonna try and work it out,” he said.

Collum said the chance to accompany Barnhart to Washington would be a thrill.

&#8220We've been best friends for 20 years,” Collum said. &#8220We're all so proud of him.”

With a big trip now ahead of him Barnhart said he may have to spend a little more time on his game. But with the Alaska golf season just getting into full swing, he said that may be easier said than done. Minutes after his win, he said his only plans were to return to Settlers Bay - but not for another round.

&#8220I've got to go to work.”

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@

frontiersman.com

Alaska Golf Association U.S. Open Local Qualifier

Sunday, Palmer Golf Course

1. Jeff Barnhart 37-37 - 71 (-1)

2. Bryan Anderson 38-34 - 72 (-)

2. Rob Nelson 36-36 - 72 (-)

4. Ryan Sparks 37-36 - 73

5. Jeff Auf Der Heide 38-36 - 74

5. Jonathan Baker 39-35 - 74

7. Adam Baxter 39-36 - 75

7. James Contreras 37-38 - 75

7. Thomas Mulka 37-38 - 75

10. Ross Walther 37-39 - 76

11. Greg Sanders 40-37 - 77

12. Tim Walsh 40-38 - 78

12. Mark Dolejsi 40-38 - 78

14. Bill Engberg 41-39 - 80

15. Joe Butler 41-40 - 81

16. George Collum 43-39 - 82

17. Micah Bartlett 40-43 - 83