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Sand Valley Resort was built with a vision to provide golfers a true golf retreat. The property, golf courses, and entire resort staff did that and then some for the inaugural AM Golf Trips event in Nekoosa, Wisconsin this past Sunday through Tuesday.
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After checking in and receiving a welcome tee gift that was worth the price of admission alone (thanks to Wilson Golf and other AM Golf Trips partners), the players set their sights on the Sandbox, the 17 hole par 3 wedge and putting course. This is where the players would participate in a skins round and also where the Swag Golf Showdown Series would take place. Players grabbed a beverage, a few clubs, and headed out to play in a laid back but still definitely competitive skins game.
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The highlight of the round was on the 7th hole, when Joe Corsei hit his tee shot past the pin on the top of the green, only to watch it take the slope down towards the hole tracking for a hole in one! It was a great shot and an example of how the undulating greens provided both challenges and intrigue for the players during the round. The evening was capped off with the Swag Golf Showdown Series. Each player took aim at the 85 yard first hole for a “wedge off”. The pressure was on during the intense contest with every player and guest observing from around the first tee box.
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A few succumbed to the large crowd, but most made fierce attempts to put one in the hole or stick one close. There were many great shots but one shot found itself less than a foot from the cup. That shot belonged to Scott Mattas, as he claimed the Swag Showdown Series crown, along with the grand prize of a Swag Golf Savage Too putter and Swag Golf putter cover. A prize valued at over $750!
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On Monday, the players were ready to get the 54 hole tournament into action, with a Gross and Net Champion to be crowned at the end of the competition. After a brief morning weather delay due to a fierce moving storm, the players set foot on Mammoth Dunes for their first 18 holes. The players all met with their caddies prior to round, whom they’d be paired with for the entire tournament. This definite perk for the AM Golf Trips contestants ended up proving to be very beneficial to the players and actually having a strong influence in the outcome of the tournament.
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The “visually-unique hillsides” and “exposed mammoth dunes” of the course set the scene for a very competitive first round of the tournament. After the first 18 holes there was a tie for the Gross lead between Team Mattas (father-son Scott & Michael) and Team Tudor (brothers Brandon and Nick Tudor.) This battle would continue between these two teams over the next two rounds as well. In the Net competition the team of Ashley Harrison and Jonathan Wicks ended up with a 1 shot lead with the rest of the teams not far behind.
For the second round of the day teams teed it up on the Sand Valley course. Although similar in majestic views, Sand Valley is known to be more “strategic” with its shot selections and that definitely came into play for all of the teams throughout the afternoon. Team Mattas would combine for a team score of 3-under to take a three shot lead over the Tudor brothers. In the battle for the Net Title, the team of Fred Alaimo Sr. and his son, Frank, came out on fire on the front 9. They cooled off a little on the back 9 but ended the day with a 3 shot lead over Team Harrison/Wicks. Teams had a lot to talk about that night when all of the players and guests gathered for dinner and some putting competitions on the practice green. Gift cards, hats and voice caddies were some of the prizes given away during the night’s festivities!
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For the final round of the tournament/event players went back to the Mammoth Dunes course on Tuesday morning. Team Mattas came out strong with Scott birdieing the first hole and Michael doing the same on the second. This early start proved to be too much for Team Tudor as the brothers tried to battle back, but in the end it was a 5-stroke victory in the Gross competition for Team Mattas. The Net title would come down to an epic battle between the second round leaders, Team Alaimo, and the first round leaders of Ashley Harrison and Jonathan Wicks. After the first 9 holes Team Harrison/Wicks cut the lead to 2 strokes to head into the back 9. Team Alaimo pushed the lead back to 3 with a net eagle on number 11, but Team Harrison/Wicks didn’t give up, rather they would have an amazing finish of net 6-under over the last 5 holes to take the Net tournament title by 3 strokes. “Jonathan and I really fed off of each other those last 5-6 holes,” said Harrison, “and I’m so glad my caddie was there as well helping me read putts. He made a big difference.” Both sets of champions went home with some hardware and a share of over $3,000 of prize money.
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Jonathan Wicks & Ashley Harrison (Net Champs) | Scott & Mike Mattas (Gross Champs)
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“We couldn’t have drawn it up better for our inaugural event,” said AM Golf Trips co-founder Rob Maguire. “The venue and resort staff were phenomenal and really displayed what we are trying to showcase to golfers. It really was golf as it was meant to be” said Maguire.
“We want to thank our Trip partners, Wilson, Swag Golf, Voice Caddy and our incredible host; Sand Valley, for an unforgettable golf experience,” said AM Golf Trips co-founder Matt Grubich.
Up next for AM Golf Trips is a trip to the “Show-Me” State to explore Big Cedar Lodge, November 6-8th. The field is limited to 30 teams, so don’t wait to register. After a smashing success at Sand Valley, spots are filling up quickly.
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