Ed White Shootout

2025 Results

On a beautiful warm Saturday evening the EWS was played and dominated by low handicappers. Starting with our 2025 champion, Chris Eckes, with a low low 0.6 handicap and runner up perennial EWS favorite, Tim Smith, with a 4.0 handicap.  Next in line, in third place, was Dick Helde at 9.8 and Andrew Hooyman, in fourth place with a 2.4 handicap. Of course, there always has to be one oddball with Steve Tanner at 17.4, in fifth place. 

The small group of spectators were treated to some great golf between Eckes and Smith as they battled over the last couple of holes. Their drives of  nearly 300 yards with both reaching the greens in regulation or less was nothing short of TV spectacular. On the ninth and final hole,Tim Smith put his second shot just short of the green, while  Eckes  placed a neat second shot about 30 feet from the cup. Smith’s  short chip went six feet past the cup making it a difficult downhill putt for par. Eckes putted to within six inches and put it in for par. Unfortunately, for Smith, his putt tailed off and ended just short of the hole leaving Chris Eckes as the 2025 Ed White champion. Mark Schmidt and I want to thank all 11 players for not only their BMC participation, but for being great competitors. Can’t wait till we again compete for the EWS championship in 2026. 

Sincerely, Steve Tanner

Event Details

The Ed White Shootout is a special event that recognizes active participation among our members. The event is named after a long-time BMC member, Ed White, who exemplified the kind of active leadership for which our club is known.

The 2025 Event will be held on Saturday September 20th.

You accumulate points for every official BMC event in which you participate:

• 3 Points for playing in each Weekly League.
• 4 Points for playing in a Major.
• 1 Point for Volunteers.

Those with the most points will be invited to participate in the Ed White Shootout which happens at the end of the season. The BMC will cover the greens fees so there is no cost involved to the participants.

Questions? Steve Tanner is your organizer and Mark Schmidt assists and helps coordinate the Ed White Shootout.

Phone: 612-201-7283

Email: rst740@aol.com

2024 Event Recap

WHAT AN EXCITING EVENT.  On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, 11 of the most active BMC golfers teed it up for the 19th annual Ed White Shootout. In this event, net scores over the first 5 holes in stroke play determine which of the 5 players will advance and compete, by shootout, to become the EWS champion.

This year we had 11 competitors tee off and the 5 with the lowest net scores met on hole #6 ready for the shootout which is an elimination format. With a nice tag along audience, the first to be eliminated was Tom Klassen who ended in 5^th place.

On the par three #7, we had our 2^nd elimination with Mike Kavanaugh taking 4^th place. The 3 remaining players were Denny Russell, Tim Smith and Scott Nelson. Scott had a difficult start to the long par five #8 and was eliminated taking 3^rd place, leaving Denny and Tim for the final hole to determine the ultimate winner. As he had been doing the entire contest, Denny put his drive right down the middle, while Tim had a good drive but then barely rolled into the right rough.

At this point the betting odds were on Denny as he had a one stroke handicap advantage over Tim. But, as luck (or rather bad luck) would have it, Denny sent his 2^nd shot over the low fence and the cart path into the edge of the tall grass on the right side of the green on #9. The ball rested right on the edge of the tall grass and Denny elected to take a swing with a hybrid.

Low and behold, he hit it out and the ball rolled down the cart path resting under the low fence. After much discussion our marshall, Mark Schmidt, determined Denny would get free relief from the cart path and fence, and could drop in a position that afforded a clear shot to the green and a possible win. In the mean time, Tim had chipped his 3^rd shot to within five feet above the hole.

What excitement! As Denny got ready for his 4^th shot (remembering he had a stroke advantage) the crowd went completely silent. His chip/pitch went past the hole and left about a 10 footer comeback putt. The putt missed and Denny holed out with a 6, net 5. Now it was up to Tim to sink his five footer for the win, or miss for a tie with an ensuing playoff. He confidently centered his aim and, as champions do, sunk the putt for a 4 to become the 2024 Ed White Champion.

Anyone who thinks he would like to be a part of this shootout should sign up for as many BMC events as possible in 2025. Each event gives you points toward qualifying for the EWS. We hope to see you next season on hole #1 as we tee off  for another exciting Ed White Shootout.