Kinsella stuns defending champ and last year's favorite in final strides, O'Halloran and Driscoll both no-shows...
Late entry Patrick Kinsella posted a blistering 20 on the final nine holes to steal the coveted crown from defending champion Jack Czajkowski and last year's favorite Robb Levinsky, who led for most of the contest and faltered on the final hole with a two over double bogey 4. Listed at 12 to 1 on the morning line with a note "late entry steals crown? Kinsella looked hopelessly beaten on the front nine with a score of 25 that had him languishing in 4th place in the star studded field of 6 world class competitors. But a hole in one on the challenging 14th hole where his main competitors posted a 3 and a 4 put him back into contention and with a solid final four holes Kinsella found himself with a score of 45, one ahead of Levinsky and Czajkowski who tied at 46 after trading the lead several times during the match. Another late entry, George Katzenberger was four back at 49, while the two shippers Mark (MBF) Friedman and Richele (Fire) Grieb were never factors posting scores of 51 and 55 respectively. "The filly just couldn't keep up with the boys today" Grieb stated, i'm going home to lick my wounds and prepare for next year". "I'm stunned" said Levinsky "I played my best game for 16 holes and let it slip away on 14 & 18". "I was ill prepared and had faced weak competition on the NorCal circuit", explained Friedman". "Next year I'll prep against stronger competition prior to shipping to the east coast". "Congrats to new reigning champ Pat Kinsella" said George Katzenberger, who like Friedman vowed to return next year prepared to take the coveted crown.
Joe O'Halloran, 2nd place finisher the previous year who had vowed revenge on winner Jack Czajkowski and Chris (Sky Ace) Driscoll, who was 4th in last year's tournament were both late no-shows and lost their coveted automatic invitations for future tournaments. Neither could be reached for comments directly after the match but Driscoll later offered a commentary and O'Halloran lissued a challenge to all the competitors to return the following week for another round " I checked the media reports this morning, and they are basically viewing this golf match as a wild card playoff with the championship still "in the balance" stated Driscoll. "I am inviting anybody who is willing to play THIS Saturday, the 17th. Time TBD" said O'Halloran. This was of course immediately rejected by all the players and the league. As last year's champion Czajkowski explained "Sounds to me like 2 local golfers looking for excuses after they missed their Tee times and chance to compete with the pros. I think you two need to have a two person playoff just to see who gets to enter the next tournament". " I agree with Jack 1000%, excuses from golfers afraid to compete who missed their tee times" said Levinsky "The time was listed and you didn’t show, you are both lucky as neither of you would have stood a chance against the field this year".
Next year's tournament will be held at the Monmouth links, time and date to be announced.
Kenwood Mini-Golf Championship
Morning line and commentary
Player Odds Comment
Jack (upset) Czajkowski 9 - 5 Stunned field with dominating win last time, will he repeat?
(Titanium) Joe O’Halloran 3 -1 Has vowed revenge on top pick, can he deliver?
Robb (over bet) Levinsky 9 - 2 Prohibitive favorite faded last time, looks to make amends.
Chris (Sky Ace) Driscoll 6 -1 Has flown under the radar against stellar field, value play here?
Mark (MBF) Friedman 8 -1 California tennis pro ships in, tackles new sport & venue.
Richele (Fire) Grieb 10-1 Talented filly travels from Pa. to take on the boys, upset special
George Katzenberger 12-1 Late entry, unknown factor, could surprise here
Patrick Kinsella 12-1 Another late entry from same barn, steals crown?
Tom (the King) Christein 50-1 Comes out of retirement for this with surprise entry?? Sleeper pick
Subject to late entries