Bud Chapman Invt'l: Zylstra, Pierre tops

Bill Zylstra of Westland, Mich., Dan Pierre of Chicago and Jim Mitchell of Des Moines, Iowa, were the age group winners Wednesday in the inaugural Bud Chapman Invitational golf tournament. Zylstra, the winner of the 2008 Riverwood Senior and top-5 finisher in three other majors, prevailed in the ages 55-64 division by seven strokes over Jim Rollefson of New Berlin, Wis., 213 to 220, even though each player shot 73 the final round. Zylstra opened with 68, the only score under 70 during the week. In the 65-74 division, Pierre beat Claud Johnson of Clearwater, Fla., 223-225. The 75-older flight was also won by two strokes as Mitchell topped John Harrigan of Boynton Beach, Fla., 240 to 242. The first two rounds were played at Loggers Trail Golf Club near Stillwater, Minn., the final round at Troy Burne Golf Club in Hudson, Wis. The tournament honors Bud Chapman, creator of artwork depicting imaginary and bizarre golf holes. There were 452 entries originally but the death of long-time Society of Seniors member Dick Brozo, whose funeral was on Monday, and the spike in fuel prices in recent weeks helped cut the starting field in half, to 23 players. Top finishers follow: ***** Ages 55-64 ***** Bill Zylstra, Westland, Mich., 68-72-73—213 Jim Rollefson, New Berlin, Wis., 73-74-73—220 Gary Huber, Cleveland, 78-74-71—223 Steve Henry, St. Louis, 78-77-73—228 Dwaine Roney, Fort Myers, Fla., 81-74-74—229 ***** Ages 65-74 ***** Dan Pierre, Chicago, 75-74-74—223 Claud Johnston, Clearwater, Fla., 74-72-79—225 Bob Wernick, Rancho Mirage, Calif., 73-74-79—226 Rich Anderson, Bloomington, Minn., 77-75-77—229 Jim Wagner, Barrington, R.I., 80-77-78—235 ***** Ages 75-over ***** Jim Mitchell, Des Moines, Iowa, 77-77-86—240 John Harrigan, Boynton Beach, Fla., 83-77-82—242 Bud Chapman, Minnetonka, Minn., 80-80-85—245