After a whirlwind success during last year’s Hillcrest Invitational Pro-Am golf tournament, reigning champion Charlie Crockett returned to this year’s tournament in hopes of another year at the top of the leaderboard.

Though the competition remains as stiff as it was during last year’s invitational, Crockett is mainly concerned with his own personal goings-on. The pressure of the previous year’s success was practically non-existent as he practiced his stroke among his contemporaries.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure at all,” Crockett said. “I think it’s nice to come back to somewhere where you’ve had some success already. It’s really pleasant to see all the people I met last year and have all the fun we had last year again.”

Golf is a famously uncertain game, and Crockett was aware of the fleeting nature of a successful championship. Many pro players put an impressive amount of effort into the game and competitions like the annual Hillcrest Invitational are often a breeding ground for fierce competition. Crockett staves off these feelings of worry and distress with weekly practice rounds out on the golf course that provide a sturdy foundation for a three-day tournament like this one.

“Getting used to the golf course, getting used to the green speeds and experiencing the weather and the feel of the course get you really prepared,” Crockett said.

Crockett can credit part of his success last year to the rigorous rounds of golf he played every single week. Consistent practice aside, Crockett’s main priority this year is exercising patience.

“My main goal is patience,” Crockett said. “I think that if I can practice some patience and have some fun everything will be fine.”

Schaefer Returns To Area For Pro-Am

Fordyce, Nebraska, resident and South Dakota State University alum Matthew Schaefer is back out on the golf course at Hillcrest Country Club to compete for a top spot on the leaderboard. Prior to his participation in this invitational, Schaefer most recently competed in the Hillcrest Ladies Pro-Am.

Schaefer shot a 2-under 70 on the opening day, tying for 22nd through the first of four rounds.

Despite the exhaustion of playing for hours on end, Schafer was just as excited as any other player to be back at Hillcrest for the annual romp.

For most players, the routine after the tournament is often devoid of any golfing activity. For Schaefer, however, it involves more golf.

“I’ll hit balls, put and tune things up that I saw weren’t so great throughout the round that day,” he said.

As a member of Hillcrest, he admits that playing on familiar ground serves as an advantage.

“Being a member here I play all the time,” said Schaefer. “For a tournament like this, I don’t really do anything different since I already know the course really well.”

Some may say that familiarity could hamper one’s judgement, especially when it comes to a major golfing tournament. For Schafer this familiarity raises the stakes and brings out his competitive side.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” said Schaefer. “The course setup is harder, the greens are faster and the hole locations pretty difficult too.”

The added bonus of a monetary prize also adds to the mounting pressures the players face while out on the field. Even though it may sound like golf tournaments are a mentally challenging and physically taxing endeavor, Schaefer explained that the required mental fortitude is constantly built up through the different tournaments played throughout the year.

“When you’re playing for something, it always feels like there’s more on the line,” said Schaefer. “I think that a different mentality is required especially when it comes to competing. It’s not easy to get over but after a lot of games and practice the tensions just ease up.”

2023 Champ Returns To Hillcrest

Zander Winston, the 2023 Hillcrest Invitational Pro-Am champion, made an appearance at this year’s tournament with the hopes of making another appearance on the list of golfing champions.

After competing at the annual Hillcrest Invitational for nearly half a decade, Winston has grown to appreciate competing in what has now become a familiar stomping ground. One thing that he asserts he enjoys about the tournament is the Pro-Am format.

“Typically, I’m used to playing with all pros but this one’s always different,” said Winston. “This is my sixth or seventh year playing and there’s really nothing to it when it comes to playing with ams, but I think that’s what makes this tournament different and unique.”

Regardless of who he’s playing against, Winston always has the same goal in mind.

“For me, every time I tee it up I want to win,” said Winston. “Anything can happen out on the course, and things could change as the week progresses, but my main goal is to win.”

This spirited feeling of wanting to succeed pushes him through the day, even when he’s having a particularly bad game of golfing.

“Staying motivated is really hard,” said Winston. “I try my best to be focused during the shot. In the time between shots, I try not to think about the shot. That way I’m using way less energy out there.”

Though convoluted, his method of disassociating between shots has proved to be very valuable. Disassociation may sound extreme, but it usually comes in handy when the players are off the course and Winston is no exception. A healthy separation from one’s hobbies and interests create a perfect environment for focus and determination when someone is actually on the course.

“After I’m done on the golf course I tend to go home and just stay away from golf,” Winston said. “Especially during tournament weeks, I usually just relax and do nothing.”

Although his tournament week regimen is lax and easy, Winston’s practice sessions are vigorous and busy.

“My usual routine is full of practice rounds and putting drills,” said Winston.

“It usually depends on the tournament schedule honestly. This week we played the Ladies Pro-Am and for me that counts towards my practice routine.”

With the first day of the tournament still going on, Winston promised exciting games in the next two days of games and a high finish at the end of the tournament.

“I just love competing,” said Winston. “I’m pretty excited about tomorrow’s games and I cannot wait to see how this tournament goes.”

Kluver Leads After First Round

Luke Kluver of Norfolk, Nebraska, had an eagle and three birdies on the final four holes to shoot an opening round 62, leading the pro division after the first of four rounds.

Jaxon Dowell of Edmond, Oklahoma, and George Kneiser of Dousman, Wisconsin are tied for second at 8-under 64. Four golfers sit in fourth at 6-under 66: Cody Banach of Houston, Texas; Blake Hathcoat of Fresno, Texas; Sean Mullan of Scottsdale, Arizona; and Drew Salyers of Howard, Ohio.

In the amateur division, Marc Gubbels of Sioux Falls, formerly of Yankton, shot a 3-under 69 to lead after the first round. Reid Sawatzke of Yankton is one back at 70, with Yankton’s Ryan Elwood third at 1-under 71. Three golfers are at even-par 72: Tyler Frick of Yankton, Casey Weverstad of Yankton and Steve Bowen of Muscatine, Iowa.

Dan Megard of Yankton shot a 72 to lead the senior division. Steve Weiland of Yankton (75) is second, with Todd Bye of Yankton (76) third. Four golfers are at 79: Tracy King of Omaha, and Yankton’s Scott Hiltunen, Denny Fokken and Dave Rothluebber.