Rod Miller Wins Great Lakes Invitational by Twelve Strokes (Warren, OH

Rod Miller Wins Great Lakes Invitational by Twelve Strokes
Jeff Brown Goes Wire-to-Wire in the APA Division

Rod Miller playing the
Warren, OH Course.

8-9 June 2002 - Warren, OH - The Great Lakes Tour selected Warren, OH, its most mentally demanding course, as the location for its first-ever Great Lakes Invitational. Sizing up the course prior to the event, the players determined that the aces were out there, but that their A-game would be required to score low. But a player who stayed mentally sharp over a grueling 8-rounds could really bust open a big lead.

Kevin Lacey playing the
Warren, OH Course.

That player turned out to be none other than Columbus native Rod Miller, playing in his first GLT event of the year.

On the Saturday portion of the tournament, played entirely on course 2, Miller kept pace for the first two rounds, trailing Cincinnati’s Kevin Lacey by two shots after round 1, and Jim Cruse of Baltimore, OH, by three after round 2. Miller’s 24 in round three enabled him to take the lead, and he never relinquished it. At the end of round 4 on Saturday, it was Miller at 107, followed by Dave Nutini of Canal Winchester at 110 and Jim Heikkinen of North Olmsted and Pittsburgh’s John Bambling at 111. Bambling received a GLT spot on Saturday for being the low eligible medalist.

The players geared up for the true test on Sunday, four consecutive rounds on Warren’s notorious course 3, one of the most challenging Putt-Putt courses ever designed. Breezy conditions and hot sun made the course even more challenging.

Rod Miller and Jeff Brown
(left to right).

Kevin Lacey started Sunday’s competition five shots back and immediately set a new course record, a 24, in round 5. But Miller shot an excellent 25 in round 5, and then came back with a 24 of his own in round 6 to open a gaping nine shot lead over Lacey. It would get even better for Miller, who tacked on another 25 in round 7 while Lacey cooled off further. Miller held an absolutely incredible sixteen shot lead after round 7. His Sunday 54-hole total on course 3, a blistering 74, unofficially eclipsed the old 54-hole record on the course by twelve shots, although a PPA tournament had never been held on the course with Challenger carpeting.

Rod Miller coasted into the clubhouse in round 8, posting a final score of 215, 73 under par, for a twelve stroke win over Lacey at 227. John Bambling was third at 228, and Jim Cruse finished fourth at 230. World Match Play Championship spots were claimed by Miller, Bambling and Cruse. Robb Titchell received a GLT spot for being the low eligible medalist on Sunday with a score of 114. Other players receiving GLT spots were Jim Heikkinen and Ken Hastings at 232, Bill Baus at 233 and Bill Thompson at 234.

Jeff Brown, APA winner of the
Great Lakes Invitational.

In the APA division, North Olmsted’s Jeff Brown led the event wire to wire and claimed a ten shot victory over reigning APA National champion Don Ferrell of Bexley, Ohio. Ferrell kept pace with Brown until round 4 when Brown fired a 25 on course 2, to Ferrell’s 34. At that point, Brown’s lead went into double digits and remained there for most of Sunday’s competition. In the end, Brown posted a 54 under par score of 234, with Ferrell second at 244. Barb Mingo of North Olmsted edged out Bill Wahls of North Ridgeville to claim third place at 251. For Brown, it was his first win on the 2002 GLT.

All six participants in the APA division, Brown, Ferrell, Mingo, Wahls, Bill Combs and Don Cherry received GLT spots.

The GLT wished to express its appreciation to Warren course owners Ed and Renee Ackerman for being excellent hosts and providing the players with a truly top-notch facility.

Scores provided and tournament recap provided by Bill Thompson.

Rod Miller Wins Great Lakes Invitational by Twelve Strokes Jeff Brown Goes Wire-to-Wire in the APA Division

Rod Miller Wins Great Lakes Invitational by Twelve Strokes
Jeff Brown Goes Wire-to-Wire in the APA Division