2002
19th Annual
First Round – Bunker Hills Golf Club (Coon Rapids, MN) Par 72
Final Round – Pebble Creek Golf Club (Becker, MN) Par 72
The first round of the 19th Annual Riggs Open was played at the always beautiful Bunker Hills GC. It was the 2nd time (1993) that “Bunker” has served as a site for a Riggs Open tournament round. The weather was nice, but we had some pretty big wind gusts. The blustery conditions caused the scores to be a little higher than expected. Only 3 players finished under par (Net). Kevin Johnson (-4), Tom Angelus (-2), and Sean Sinsabaugh (-2) were the ones. The “committee” figured that Bunker would be a good test of golf and it did not disappoint!
The final round was played at the difficult Pebble Creek GC. It was the 3rd time (1995, 1999) that Pebble has served as a site for a Riggs Open. Gary Nagle climed into contention early on by going out in 39 en route to a final round 77. This put him in good position, but he had to wait to see what the leader, Kevin Johnson, would do. “Johner”, playing in the final group, came to 18 knowing where he stood… he calmly knocked in about a 5-foot bogey putt to force the playoff. “Nags” and “Johner” were the only two players to finish under par (-2). Tony Weinzetl shot a final round 81 to finish in 3rd (+2).
The playoff was very exciting! The entire field (with about 20 carts) headed over to the 1st hold to start. The 1st hole is a tough par 4. Both players launched huge drives down the middle. Kevin was furthest away, and his approach landed just over the green. So, then it was up to Gary, who left his approach just short of the green –in the water! Gary then hit his 4th shot (after the penalty stroke) on the green. But, with Kevin laying 2 and having a stroke in hand (with his handicap), the tournament was virtually over. Kevin rolled in a short putt for a bogey 5 and his 2nd Riggs Open title (2nd in the last 3 years, 2000)! This was the 2nd playoff in Riggs Open history (1990).
2002 Champ, Kevin Johnson
2002 RO (Final)
1. *Kevin Johnson (-2) 85-91
2. Gary Nagle (-2) 83-77
3. Tony Weinzetl (+2) 89-81
4. Tom Angelus (+3) 87-94
5. John Bevans (+5) 90-87
5. Sean Sinsabaugh (+5) 82-89
*Won in playoff
For 2002 Scores,