2025

Once again, the time has come! Time for The Virtual 19th Hole to announce its selection of the 2025 BMC Champion Golfer of the Year.

Now in its fourth year, the tradition of naming a single BMC Champion Golfer, when so many BMC members had outstanding seasons, has never been more challenging. So… to appreciate what a spectacular season of BMC golf looks like, read on!

But first, a refresher: there are three fundamental benchmarks for becoming the BMC Champion Golfer of the Year: (1) having at least one notable golfing achievement, such as winning a BMC championship; (2) having played consistently solid golf throughout the season; and (3) having participated actively during the year in BMC-sponsored leagues and competitions.

As noted, this year produced a strong slate of BMC members who accomplished their own unique combinations of those benchmarks. And so, without further ado, here are the nominees and some honorable mentions as well:

Honorable Mentions

Larry Fyten: Larry, at 86, has been shooting his age for years– and continued to do it this year. In fact, those who play regularly with Larry say he shoots his age almost as often as he doesn’t. With a current USGA handicap of 13.5, Larry has a solid game from tee to green and a putting stroke that seldom misses the mark. A 17-year BMC member, Larry participated this year in both Thursday League and Best Weekly.

Tim Smith: Tim was runner-up this year in both the Senior Club Championship and the Ed White Shootout. A 13-year BMC member, Tim played regularly on our Class A 8-Man Team again this year and participated in Wednesday League and Best Weekly– and he’s also the BMC’s longstanding Best Weekly league coordinator. With a current USGA handicap of 3.8, Tim is a two-time former Senior Club Champion, a two-time former Ed White Shootout Champion, and a former BMC board member and Board Secretary. Tim was one of only four BMC members who qualified this year for the MPGA’s Senior Amateur Championship and was one of only three who made the cut, finishing tied for forty-seventh place.

2024 Nominees

Drew Gumlia:  Drew is the BMC’s 2025 Club Champion—and he won the Club Championship in style. Outshining a strong field by firing a 36-hole total of 143, 1 under, Drew finished a full seven shots ahead of second place.  A third year BMC member, Drew played on our 16-Man Team this year, which won the 2025 Class A Championship, and participated in Individual Match Play and Best Weekly. He sports a current USGA handicap of plus 1.4.

Mike Kavanaugh:  Mike is the BMC’s 2025 Super Senior Club Champion, and, like Drew, his sterling play left the rest of the field in the dust. Mike shot a 36-hole total of 147, three over– and after a blistering 68 in the first round, ultimately won by eight strokes. A 28-year BMC member with a current USGA handicap of 5.0, Mike led the way this year on our 4-Man Team, which won the 2025 Class B Championship. He competed on our Class A 8-Man Team and played regularly on our Class C 8-Man Team. Mike qualified for the Ed White Shootout and participated in Wednesday League, Saturday Stroke Play and Best Weekly.

Bill Angel:  Bill, an eleven-year BMC member, turned 75 this year– and celebrated by shooting his age seven times. Those scores ranged from 70–74, not bad for a guy who understandably hasn’t felt the need yet to move up to the shorter tee boxes. His 72 and two 74s at Braemar were from the D tees and his 72 at Pioneer Creek was from just under 6300 yards. Three of his age-inappropriate rounds came in traveling team competitions, two with our 4-Man Team, which, as noted, won the 2025 Class B Championship. With a current USGA handicap of 5.9, Bill participated this year in Thursday League, Best Weekly, Individual Match Play and played in the Club Championship.

John Miller: John, a 20-year BMC member, turned 76 this year– and, like Bill Angel, found the perfect way to celebrate by also shooting his age seven times (obviously a lucky number). Like the familiar saying goes (or should go in case it actually doesn’t), guys that shoot their age together hang tight together. With a current USGA handicap of 8.0, John finished first this year in Best Weekly’s B Flight and came in third in the Super Senior Division of the Club Championship. He also captained our Class C 8-Man Team in its inaugural season, played regularly on our 2025 Class B Champion 4-Man Team, and participated in Thursday League and Best Weekly.

Jeff Roseland:  For the second consecutive year, Jeff is our Senior Club Champion– having bested formidable opponents Rick Passolt and Tim Smith in a sudden death playoff. A third-year BMC member, Jeff played regularly this year on our Class A 8-Man Team and competed on the 16-Man Team, which, as noted, won the 2025 Class A Championship. With a current USGA handicap of plus .2, Jeff also participated in Best Weekly and 4 Ball Match Play. Like Tim Smith, Jeff was one of only four BMC members to qualify for the MPGA’s Senior Am this year– and finished in eighth place, leading the way among the BMC members who qualified for the event.

Chris Eckes: Chris is our 2025 Ed White Shootout Champion, having out-dueled Tim Smith on the final hole. A fourth year BMC member, Chris carries a current USGA handicap of .1 (that’s not a one, it’s a point one). Known for his towering shots, rumor has it that one of them was once lost in a cumulonimbus cloud and came down as a hail stone. Chris played on our 2025 Champion 16-Man Team, and participated in Wednesday League, Thursday League, Saturday Stroke Play, Best Weekly and Individual Match Play.  Chris joined the BMC board this fall as its newest member and will be introduced to the secret handshake as soon as he completes the customary hazing.

BMC Champion Golfer of the Year

Needless to say, based on those kinds of seasons, the decision to name a 2025 BMC Champion Golfer was far from easy. All the candidates had spectacular seasons: one would have made a solid choice as our first-ever repeat champion and three of them, as multiple age shooters, seemingly defied the laws of aging. All the candidates have been active BMC participants.  Nevertheless, by winning the Ed White Shootout, playing consistently solid golf all year, and participating actively in virtually every type  of golf competition offered by the BMC, not to mention stepping up to serve on the BMC board, Chris Eckes is The Virtual 19^th Hole’s selection as our 2025 BMC Champion Golfer of the Year.

Congrats, Chris— well deserved! And congrats to all the 2025 nominees and honorable mentions for the impressive seasons they had!

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590

How can so many guys shoot their age so many times?

This year five BMC members shot their age three or more times: Larry Fyten (86 years young), Bill Angel (75), John Miller (76), Rollie Schlichting (78) and Bob Devereaux (99!). Four of these five had shot their age in prior seasons and this year John Miller joined their ranks for the first time.

To the knowledge of The Virtual 19^th Hole, there’s never been a year when this many guys have shot their age that many times. Congrats to Larry, Bill, John, Rollie and Bob!

At Braemar Larry and Bob normally play the N tees, Rollie the I tees, and both Bill and John the Ds, with Bill also known to play the E tees from time to time.

Larry Fyten

Larry doesn’t keep close track of when he shoots his age—and who could blame him? Just since August, he’s done it over a dozen times. Two dozen-plus so far this year. It might actually be easier to count the rounds when Larry doesn’t shoot his age. Understandably, you may ask, “What’s his secret?”  But it’s really quite simple: hit fairways and greens and make a few putts.

Bill Angel

So far this year (and remember, the year isn’t over yet!), Bill has shot his age seven times. His scores:

• 74 on May 27, from Braemar’s D tees;
• 72 on June 24, from Braemar’s D tees;
• 73 on July 8, at Monticello;
• 70 on July 29, at Dwan;
• 72 on August 11, at Pioneer Creek;
• 74 on August 22, from Braemar’s D tees;
• 73 on October 6, at Bunker Hills (the North/ East courses).

Three of those rounds were in competition. Playing with each of two traveling teams, Bill helped bring home victories for Braemar’s 4 Man Team on May 27 and July 8, and for Braemar’s 8C Team on June 24. The 4 Man Team went on to win the 2025 Class B Championship and the 8C Team only missed out on the playoffs by a whisker. Also of note: Bill’s 72 at Pioneer Creek was from 6,291 yards.

John Miller

Until June of this year, John had never shot his age, although twice this spring he missed putts on the 18^th hole that would have gotten it done. Then, on June 24, just after turning 76, John made a key putt on 18 for a 76– and the flood gates opened. After that, John shot his age six more times (and of course the year is not over yet). He shot:

•  76 on July 15, from Braemar’s D tees;
• 74 on August 3, from the N tees in the club championship;
• 76 on August 12, at Keller;
• 76 on August 21, from the D tees in regular Thursday League competition;
• 74 on July 29, at Dwan; and
• 74 on October 4, from Braemar’s D tees.

That’s seven rounds of shooting his age or better. And two of them came in traveling team competition: on June 24, helping Braemar’s 4 Man Team secure a win, and on July 15, helping Braemar’s 8C Team win their final regular season match.

Rollie Schlichting

Rollie shot his age three times this year– so far. At age 78, he’s on a roll.

Playing from the I tees in regular Thursday League competition, Rollie shot:

•  77 on May 29;
• 77 on August 28; and
• 78 on September 18.

Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award

Perennially on the list of BMC Age Shooters is 99-year-old Bob Devereaux, who year after year continues to post scores that defy the inexorable march of time– and he’s done it so many times that everyone, including Bob, has lost count.

A banner year for Larry, Bill, John, Rollie and Bob

Congrats to all these Super Seniors for shooting their age again… again… and again!

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590

Braemar’s top senior golfers have spent much of the 2025 season showcasing their skills in BMC leagues and events.  But several of our top seniors have also been active in competitions sponsored by the MPGA and the MGA. Among these, none provides a stiffer test than the MGA’s Senior Amateur Championship. Simply qualifying for the event confirms a player’s stature somewhere in Minnesota’s golf firmament.

It’s a feather in the BMC’s cap that four of our members qualified this year for the Senior Amateur Championship: Jeff Roseland, Tim Smith, Rick Passolt and Joe O’Neill. In addition, two non-BMC golfers from Braemar also qualified, Paul Remus and Ron Green.

Played at Brackett’s Crossing on September 9 – 11, the 54-hole event featured a cut after 36 holes and the par 71 layout provided a stern challenge. The winning score came in at 3-over par and the cutline was fifteen over.

Three of the BMC players made the cut: Jeff Roseland made the top 10 by tying for eighth place at plus-14; Rick Passolt tied for 36^th place at plus-22, and Tim Smith tied for 47^th at 26-over. Paul Remus tied for 32^nd at 20-over.

Congrats to each of the Braemar players who qualified– and especially to BMC members Jeff, Rick, Tim and Joe!

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590

On October 2, under sunny summer-like skies, the inaugural BMC Ryder Cup created an indelible moment in the BMC’s 60-year history. The atmosphere, both during and after the completion of play, was electric and, despite a relatively lopsided result, many matches featured more than their fair share of golf drama.

The players ran the gamut: from 99-year-old member Bob Devereaux to  plus-handicap luminary Jeff Roseland, and, in between, golfers of almost all ages and handicaps.

The 40 players were divided into two 20-man teams. But while Red and Blue were the team colors, this event was not about either Europe or the U.S. It was about conducting an exhilarating new competitive format for BMC members and doing it at our home course—all at a comfortable price tag. The tell: when the final putt was holed, winners and losers alike gathered around the 18^th hole, exuberant about a great day on the links.

Following the completion of play, most contestants stuck around for the closing ceremony on the clubhouse balcony. Complemented by adult beverages and photo-ops, everyone, Blue and Red alike, got caught up in the buzzy aftermath. The zeal for a repeat event next year was palpable.

We’re not opening up registration for next year’s BMC President’s Cup quite yet , but can there be any doubt that the BMC has just created a lasting tradition?

For much more on the results of the competition, a photo gallery and a video montage, go to the events tab on the website’s main menu or just click here: https://bmcedina.com/events/bmc-ryder-cup/

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590

Braemar’s 16 Man Team sailed into the playoffs this year after completing their regular season in style. In the MPGA’s Class A, South, Division, they scored three overwhelming victories against a single, narrow loss. That solid record led them to a  playoff match against New Richmond. Their conclusive playoff win, 17.5 – 6.5, vaulted them into the 2025 championship match.

The championship match was contested on September 28 against Links at Northfork, the Class A, North, Division champion. And it was a real battle, right down to the final two pairings.

Throughout the season, for each 16 Man match, captain Bryan Francis created eight two-man teams who would compete in eight separate matches, each one with the customary three points: one for the front, one for the back and one for the 18, with a half-point for draws. Twenty-four total points.  And for each match Captain Francis selected from his entire roster the 16 players with the lowest handicaps who are available to play.

In the championship contest against Links at Northfork, a pair of Braemar’s twosomes brought home crucial 3-point shutouts: Steven Kraft/ Michael Kraft and Captain Francis/ Daniel Niemi. Two more twosomes added 2.5-point victories: Mike Wangen/ Cutter Tylia and Drew Bosley/ Ronan Burns.  And in the penultimate grouping, David Matlock and Matt Boehne took 1.5 points, giving Braemar the lead with just one match still in progress. But with the lead at a mere one point, everything rested on the shoulders of Drew Bosley and Ronan Burns.  Their 2.5 points sealed the deal.

Congrats to all members of the 16 Man Team— and not just those who played in the championship match.  The team’s commanding play all year was sparked by scintillating performances by many truly stellar golfers.

And check out the photo below, which features the members of the championship squad who were able to stick around for the photo shoot following completion of the  championship match. Holding the trophy is Captain Francis.

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590

Braemar’s 16 Man Team captures the 2025 Class A Championship

September has been an auspicious month for four longstanding members of the BMC: this month Rick Windham, Denny Russell, Jack Hughes and Rick Ites all shot their age. Congrats to Denny, Rick, Jack and Rick!

They join John Miller, Dan Berend and Joe O’Neill as 2025 inductees into The Age Shooters of the BMC (John Miller has actually done the deed several times this year, as has Bill Angel, and  Jim Peterson, who shot his age both last year and this year, was a returning member of the Age Shooters, as previously reported by The Virtual 19^th Hole).

It was on September 9, when 20-year BMC member Rick Windham shot his age on the number. Playing at Eagle Valley, Rick carded an 82, playing from the red tees.

Two days later, on September 11, 29-year BMC member Denny Russell, playing in regular Thursday League competition, also shot his age— also right on the number. Playing from the N tees, Denny shot a sparkling 78, net 68.

And two days after that, on September 13, 32-year BMC member Jack Hughes shot his age. Playing at Braemar in the BMC’s Individual Match Play League, Jack, at age 80, put an 80 on the board. Reacting to that special round, Jack declared “I love Braemar’s N Tees!”

Finally (although the month is admittedly not over yet), 30-year member Rick Ites shot his age on September 25, making the most of Thursday League’s final round of the year. At age 79, and shooting a 79, net 70, Rick has apparently also warmed up to those friendly N tees!

It’s been said before, but what other sport offers players the opportunity to do something as they get older that they could never do before?

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590

Congrats to Braemar’s 4 Man Team– our squad of Super Seniors captained by Bob Peterson! After making the play-offs with a regular season record of 4-1-1, Braemar’s Over-70 Team beat Monticello on August 19 for the 2025 Class 4B Championship.

Stalwart participants for Braemar throughout the regular season and the playoffs were Mike Kavanaugh (USGA 4.6), Bill Angel (USGA 5.7), John Miller (USGA 8.4), and Captain Peterson (USGA 9.1). Others contributed as well, including yours truly (USGA 9.4), primarily by serving as playing partner with (and cheering section for) Bill Angel in matches where Bill shot 74 and 72, in each case comfortably shooting his age.

Over the course of the season, matches were played from Braemar’s D tees and roughly equivalent boxes at away venues. With traditional best ball scoring, 3 points were awarded for each match: 1 for the front, 1 for the back, and 1 for the 18; one-half point for ties. So, in 4 Man competition, two best ball matches competed for a majority of the 6 available points.

Per the championship format set by the MPGA, the 2025 Champion was to be determined by a home and away series between the first and second place teams, based on total points.

Monticello, with a first-place regular season record of 5-1, chose to play the first of the two championship matches at home, meaning that home field advantage would go to Braemar in the concluding match.

That strategy raised eyebrows.  And, at Monticello, Misters Kavanaugh, Angel, Miller and Peterson fought their way to a tie. So, a win at Braemar by any margin would bring the Championship home to Braemar.

Unexpectedly, the Braemar match was headed in the wrong direction after the front nine. Bill and John were all square; and Mike and Bob, down three after their first six holes, finished the front side down one. But things went better over the concluding nine. Mike and Bob stormed back to take the final 9 holes, as well as the 18, and Bill and Bob did the same. Final scores: for the home game: 4.5 – 1.5; for the combined championship series: 7.5 – 4.5.

Tough play both at home and away brought home the bacon– in  just their second season, Braemar has claimed the 4 Man, Class B, Championship.  Check out the trophy and four happy campers:

Mike Kavanaugh, Captain Bob Peterson, John Miller and Bill Angel bring
the Class 4B Championship home to Braemar

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590

This year Braemar’s longstanding 8-Man Senior Team, captained by Mike Longman, was rewarded for their outstanding past play by being elevated from Class B to Class A competition. And, participating at that level for the first time, Braemar’s top Over-55 seniors demonstrated that they belong there. Their dominant regular season play vaulted them into the championship match.

Last year the team also made it to the finals— and, after finishing regulation play all square in the championship match, their 2024 season all came down to a sudden death overtime thriller.  The difference between winning the championship last year and being runner-up was an opposition birdie on the fifth sudden death hole.

This year, taking on stiffer Class A competition, Braemar once again reached the finals after completing a spectacular 5-1 regular season.  But, for the third year in a row, the team ended the year as the runner-up. It didn’t help that an 11^th hour injury led to a scramble to field a full team by the next morning. And, fortunately, when the gun went off, eight Braemar players were on hand. But the team was not at full strength. So, even though the score was tied at 4.5 apiece after the first three matches were completed, a formidable Keller team eventually came out on top.

Contrary to the venerable adage, maybe the fourth time is the charm? Regardless, it was an excellent season for the former 8B, now 8A, Team.  If they keep knocking on the door, who knows what the future may hold?

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590

To many of us “up on the rooftop” may conjure up images of Christmas and Santa Claus.  But what about longstanding BMC member Mike Kavanaugh? Here’s guessing that, to Mike, that phrase brings back memories of a remarkable shot he hit on Braemar’s 10th hole.

Mike reigns as the gross score champion from the BMC’s Over-65 Super Seniors Club Championship, held August 2d and 3d.  And not only did Mike win but, after firing a blistering 68 on the first day, he essentially transformed the Super Seniors Championship into a battle for second place.  But did his virtually insurmountable lead drain all remaining excitement from that division?  Not by a long shot– or, more specifically, by a pitch shot.

It turned out that on the second day of the tournament Mike faced an unusual challenge beyond the super-slick greens and distressingly deep lies in the rough. He also had to deal, surprisingly, with the brick utility shed to the left of the 10th green.

Here’s what happened: after driving into the right rough, Mike’s second shot veered left, due to the thick grass shutting the face of his club.  Yet he got enough club on the ball to send it soaring directly over said utility shed.  In fact, the ball appeared headed well into the woods on the hillside behind the shed– but that’s where things got interesting. Unbeknownst to many Braemar golfers, there’s a tall, thin pole of indeterminate function situated just past and to the left of the shed.  The pole’s diameter only slightly exceeds that of a golf ball.  Somehow, Mike’s second shot wound up hitting that pole squarely– and the ball bounced right back onto the roof of the shed.

Undaunted, Mike clambered up on top of the shed where he discovered he had a pretty good lie on the rooftop— certainly better than the one he had in the right rough. Wedge in hand, he pitched the ball to seven feet and two-putted for a routine bogey.

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590

Readers of The Virtual 19^th Hole will recall that, in 2023, longstanding BMC member Richard Black made an impressive contribution to the unlikely possibilities afforded by Braemar’s bridges.  In Tuesday League play, he topped his approach shot to the 16^th green, but the ball rolled right over the narrow walking bridge and onto the fringe of the green, somehow avoiding the water hazard in front. Richard went on to tie the hole and win his match.

Earlier this year, longstanding BMC member Drew Cripps made his own contribution to Braemar bridge lore by pushing his patented bunt drive on number 2 to the right—and right at the cart bridge spanning the creek.  Somehow the ball rolled onto the bridge and came to rest right in the middle of the bridge.  Drew took his drop and made a ho-hum bogey.

On August 14, Tom Klassen, a seven-year BMC member and current board member, made his own contribution to Braemar’s burgeoning body of bridge lore.  It featured a tee shot on number two, much like Drew’s improbable bunt drive. For his tee shot, Tom chose his trusty 3-hybrid but, like Drew, also pushed the shot to the right. And, as with Drew’s shot, no one in the foursome was able to see if the ball bounced into the hazard, stayed in the rough or—improbably—rolled onto the bridge. As the group proceeded down the fairway, the ball suddenly came into view—on the other side of the bridge.  It had rolled all the way over the bridge and wound up ten yards past the bridge just to the right of the cart path. Amazed, the group pondered that, even after hitting 100 shots in a row from that tee box, not one of those shots would likely roll over the bridge and wind up there.  Because the cart path interfered with his stance, Tom took a drop, punched his approach shot under the branches to his right and, like Drew, wound up carding a bogey.

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590