The 95th anniversary men’s club championship was held at the local Whispering Hills 18-hole golf course this past weekend.
Located between Hanover and Walkerton on Bruce Road 4, Whispering Hills has been showcasing great local golfers over the years. This year was the first time that two of the top three golfers were also members of the Ironwedge Target Greens Range, the local premium golf practice facility and learning academy next to the golf course. The winner was 46-year-old Shawn Kaufman of Walkerton, a previous winner at the event, followed by 18-year-old Hanover native Shayne Baltzer and 66-year-old John Hoffarth of Hanover.
Kaufman shot an 8-over-par 79 to take the gold. Baltzer shot 12-over-par with Hoffarth shooting 15-over-par.
"Well, the work at Ironwedge Target Greens Range the last couple years showed today. I didn’t play well at times, but, my floor has been raised where today was a 79. A couple of years ago that would have been in the 80’s. Irons and wedges were good all day. Fourteen of eighteen greens I was on in regulation, or no more than 12 feet off the green. I think my struggles were with tempo off the tee. I got quicker as the day went along. Always been a struggle of mine in tournaments. The practice at Ironwedge Target Greens Range has made my irons and wedges pretty solid — no troubles there. It’s an investment in your game to be a member at Ironwedge. History will show how many good players have been members of Ironwedge. It’s not a fluke that the Ironwedge range members have success. Nice to see John (Bubba) Hoffarth (Ironwedge range member) win 3rd place, he has definitely improved this year,” said Baltzer.