Hill cruises in 55th Smokey

Hill, a 2007 Blue Devils graduate in his second Smokey Bear Invitational, cruised to a three-shot victory Sunday in the 55th annual invite. He entered the final nine holes up four shots on Nathan Brewinski and Brandon Hartzell, but Hartzell was the only one to give a legitimate — and distant — chase.

“I like it,” Hill said about the tournament. “Good greens, good people. Real nice people. They make you feel welcome.”

Hill posted a 27-hole score of 183 (71-76-36) — three shots better than Hartzell’s championship 186 from last year — and led by as many as six shots during the final nine holes. His only hiccup was a three-putt bogey on No. 7, the third to last hole, but he still led by four shots.

Hartzell, who won by four shots last year, missed a birdie putt on No. 8 which would’ve cut the lead to three. The recent graduate of Division II Delta State University sank a long birdie putt on No. 9 to finish at 186.

“That was nice,” Hartzell said, noting his plan to turn pro next summer will prevent him from returning.

“What makes this tournament is the people,” Hartzell said. “Everyone wants to have fun.”

Casey Hill, Tyler’s brother and a golfer at Bemidji State University, finished third at 189. He won a tiebreaker over Brewinski, who was playing in his first Smokey.

“It was a lot of fun. I’ll be back,” he said.

Recent Falls High School graduate Travis Blais finished fifth at 191 in his first tournament, becoming the top finisher from International Falls. Bob Mason finished sixth at 173.

Tyler Hill is also the third straight champion 21 years young or younger. Matt Schneider won in 2007 coming off his freshman year at Division I Bowling Green State University, while Hartzell won last year as a 21 year old.

“Makes for an interesting, fun event,” said tournament coordinator Dave Cronin.

“I think they are all happy to be here and enjoy playing. Got a lot of handshakes,” he added.

Schneider won the long drive contest this year with a 362 1-2 yard bomb. Derek Fisher was second at 340 and Hartzell was third at 330.

But Hill stole the story with his steady play over the final nine holes. He admitted to not even realizing how many shots he was up, and was unfazed by his bogey with only two holes to play.

“I should be back,” he said. “I had fun. Lots of fun.”

Cronin added that this year’s weather paid dividends for the atmosphere and entertainment value, which lasted well into the night on Friday and Saturday.

“It’s just so nice to have a cooperative weekend with the weather,” Cronin said. “Everyone was so nice and the playing conditions were as good as they’ve been.

“It just seemed like things were smoother than ever before.”

Especially for Tyler Hill.

2009 Smokey Bear Invitational Final results:

*Top six in top two flights, top three or four in remaining flights. 108 participants.

Championship Flight

1. Tyler Hill 71-76-36—183

2. Brandon Hartzell, 77-74-35—186

3. Casey Hill 73-79-37—189

4. Nathan Brewinski

73-78-38—189

5. Travis Blais 78-75-38—191

6. Bob Mason 78-75-40—193

President’s Flight

1. Jerry Krikelas 75-82-38—195

2. Matt Guerton

80-77-39—196

3. Zach Zieman 78-82-41—201

4. Robin Anderson

79-85-39—203

5. Mike Cocanour

79-81-43—203

6. Bill Hughes 77-82-44—203

First Flight

1. Matt Schneider

81-75—156

2. Joel Otto 80-78—158

3. Charlie Dalton

81-81—162

4. Jeff Christensen

82-85—167

Second Flight

1. Tom Zieman 82-79—161

2. Jon Dupuis 82-81—163

3. Rob Badiuk 83-82—165

4. Mike Katrin 83-84—167

Third Flight

1. Steve Chown 85-79—164

2. Hank Barbato

85-81—166

3. Jim Rogenrud

84-87—171

4. Matt Rasmussen

85-87—172

Fourth Flight

1. Tom Levene 85-79—164

2. Tom Anderson

85-83—168

3. Chris Raboin 86-83—169

4. Earl Evans 85-87—172

Fifth Flight

1. Ed Nichols 89-81—170

2. Len Olson 88-83—171

3. Shawn Mitchell

88-85—173

4. Andy Shermoen

89-85—174

Sixth Flight

1. Tom Sutch 90-82—172

2. Monte Ross 90-88—178

3. Pete Auran 90-89—179

4. Jim Mason 90-92—182

Seventh Flight

1. Clay Porter 92-82—174

2. Pat Auran 93-82—175

3. Steve Johnson

94-83—177

4. Sandy Dexter 93-87—180

Eighth Flight

1. Dan Karsnia 94-86—180

2. Jerry Doughty

96-85—181

3. Ryan Rud 94-87—181

4. Kyle Olestad 95-86—181

Ninth Flight

1. Ron Ruelle 97-89—186

2. Bill Walls 98-90—188

3. Josh Hardy 97-92—189

4. Bob Karasek 98-93—191

Tenth Flight

1. Brian Youso 99-85—184

2. Arnie Nass 98-91—189

3. Shaver Briggs 101-92—193

Director’s Flight

1. Clayton Wenberg

102-88—190

2. Steve Ross 105-93—198

3. Tony Jaksa 104-97—201

Ross Memorial

First Place (232)

Clay Porter

Bob Rostee

Jeff Christianson

Monte Ross

Second Place (233)

Zach Zieman

Jamey Ross

Jake Youso

Jeff Porter

Third Place (239)

Tom Zieman

Clayton Wenberg

Pete Auran

Bill Walls

Fourth Place (240)

Buzzy Christianson

Brian Werner

Shawn Mitchell

Josh Hardy

Fifth Place (240)

Eric Walls

Andy Ross

Shane Dexter

Howie Arch

Smokey Bear Invitational previous winners:

2008: Brandon Hartzell, White Bear Lake

2007: Matt Schneider, Grand Rapids

2006: Ben Theuninck, Dellwood

2005: Bob Mason, I. Falls

2004: Ben Theuninck, Lino Lakes

2003: Bob Cavanagh, Perham

2002: Mark Christensen, Elk River

2001: Eric Walls, I. Falls

2000: Eric Walls, I. Falls

1999: Mark Christensen, Elk River

1998: Greg Ross, Fort Frances

1997: Eric Walls, I. Falls

1996: Mike Christensen, Grand Rapids

1995: Bob Cavanagh, Perham

1994: Len Olson, St. Anthony

1993: Bob Cavanagh, Perham

1992: Bill Mason, I. Falls

1991: Bob Cavanagh, Perham

1990: Bob Cavanagh, Perham

1989: Bob Cavanagh, Perham

1988: Pat McBride, Aurora-Hoyt Lakes

1987: Jerry Krikelas, Aurora-Hoyt Lakes

1986: Jeff Lindvall, Green Bay

1985: Jim Davison, I. Falls

1984: Greg Ross, Fort Frances

1983: Tom Zieman, Montevideo

1982: Jeff Lindvall, Green Bay

1981: Tom Zieman, Bemidji

1980: Tom Zieman, I. Falls

1979: Greg Asplund, Fort Frances

1978: Roger Schurke, I. Falls

1977: Dave Swanson, Cook

1976: Lyn Ellingson, Grand Rapids

1975: Mike Katrin, I. Falls

1974: Jeff Lindvall, I. Falls

1973: Jeff Lindvall, I. Falls

1972: Buzz Christensen, I. Falls

1971: Jeff Lindvall, I. Falls

1970: Dwight Holmbo, I. Falls

1969: Jeff Lindvall, I. Falls

1968: Harry Barefoot, Fort Frances

1967: Dr. Bob Harris,Roseau

1966: Tony Greaton,Hibbing

1965: Tony Greaton, Hibbing

1964: Tony Greaton, Hibbing

1963: Jim Koehler, Duluth

1962: Bob Riley, I. Falls

1961: Tom Mars, Duluth

1960: Larry Ross, I. Falls

1959: Bill Hammergren, Virginia

1958: Jim Koehler, Duluth

1957: Jim Kozar, Virginia

1956: Larry Ross, I. Falls

1955: Bob Korsch, Duluth