Rod Miller Wins Great Lakes Tour Open (Columbus, OH

Rod Miller Repeats as Great Lakes Tour Open Champion by Eight Strokes

Rod Miller playing the
Columbus, OH Course.

12-13 July 2003 - Columbus, OH - In last year’s 144-hole Great Lakes Invitational, played at Warren, OH, Rod Miller of Columbus positioned himself near the top after the first day of play and played brilliantly in the fifth and sixth rounds to open an insurmountable lead on his way to an easy victory.

This year the Great Lakes Tour's premier regular season event was renamed the Great Lakes Open and was played on Miller’s home course in Columbus, OH. The event’s name and locale may have changed, but the end result was very much the same. With rounds of 28-25-30-25-22-24-27-25 for an 82-under par total of 206, Miller defended his title by eight strokes over second place finisher Paul Johns of Gahanna. Miller’s victory comes just two weeks after winning his first major PPA national title in the 2003 PPA National Invitational, held in Spartanburg, SC.

Rod Miller playing the final hole of the 2003 Great Lakes Tour Open.

After the first four rounds of play, it was Rick Alessi of Erie, PA who found himself in the lead with a 39-under par score of 105. Dave Nutini of Dublin was one back at 106, and Miller in third at 108. Roger Beckerman of South Euclid was in fourth at 109 and became Miller’s playing partner for the second day of competition.

In round 5, Miller erased the three shot deficit with a tournament best round of 22. Coming right back in round six with a 24, Miller dealt what would effectively be the knockout blow. He led Dave Nutini by nine strokes at that point and he never looked back.

Mike Bell and Rod Miller
(left to right).

Paul Johns fell six strokes behind the leaders after the third round, but played steadily after that. In the battle among the rest of the field for second place, Johns’ 22 the last round was just enough for him to edge out fellow Columbus player Robb Titchell for the runner –up slot with a score of 214. Titchell had fired a 49 for the last two rounds to overtake the remaining first day leaders and claim the number three position at 215. Rounding out the top five were Dave Nutini at 216 and Rick Alessi at 217. GLT spots were awarded to Johns, Titchell, and Alessi, as well as to Gene Reams, Mike McCormack and Brandon Yee. Columbus players claimed the first four places in the pro division, and five of the six qualifying spots awarded.

Mike Bell Wins APA Title by Six Strokes

Mike Bell, APA winner of the
Great Lakes Tour Open

Mike Bell of Columbus was the only APA player to shoot eight rounds of 30 or better, and that formula distanced him from the rest of the pack. Bell posted consistent rounds of 29-29-28-28-29-27-30-29 for a 59-under par tally of 229 and a six-stroke victory.

Bell trailed Anthony Amick of Canal Winchester by two after the first day of competition. Zach Smith of Indianapolis found himself in third, one behind Bell. Amick’s back-to-back 32’s dropped him out of the lead and Bell seized the opportunity with a 27 in round 6. That gave him the lead by two over Smith. When Smith struggled in round 7, Bell found himself with a comfortable lead and coasted in for the victory. Amick finished second at 235, with Smith finishing third at 238. Rounding out the top five were Andy McCoy of Columbus at 239 and the Springfielders Bennie Williams and Scott Copeland at 241. GLT spots were earned by Bell and the following players: Bonnie White of Concord, Bill Combs of Pittsburgh, PA, Barb Mingo of North Olmsted and Rob McGraner of Galloway.

A special thanks to Craig Brown and his staff for hosting the last two GLT weekends in Richmond, IN and Columbus. The hospitality and support of our course owners and managers is always appreciated.

Scores provided and tournament recap provided by Bill Thompson.