While third seeded Simon Deliyannis was certainly focused on beating second-seeded Robert Wise in his semifinal, he was also gathering a bit of a scouting report, just in case.
It will now come in handy after his chip in on No. 16 put a capper on his 3 and 2 win over Wise in a battle of two first-time semifinalists in the 97th annual Bloomington City Golf Tournament at steamy Cascades on Saturday, July 12.
In the same group was three-time defending champ Jason Bannister, who has yet to lose a match in the City tourney since he jumped coming off his first year of college in 2022. He has yet to lose a hole this year, caddie Lance Ringler said, after a 6 and 5 win over Brad Scroggins.
“I was watching him today and sort of thinking where I stood up against him after the front nine today,” Deliyannis said. “I think I was two or three down. But if I can go shot for shot with him tomorrow, I think I’ll have a pretty good chance.”
So while Deliyannis goes after his first City Men’s title to go with his Junior title in 2021, Bannister has history in his sights as just the second golfer in tourney history to four-peat. He got off to another quick start against Scroggins, playing in his first City semi, going four-up by the turn.
It was just a steady drumbeat of solid shots from there to keep his streak going.
“I didn’t hit it great,” Bannister said. “But I managed it around, kept it in the fairway.
“It’s a learning experience every time I play (here), how to hit shots into these greens and towards the end, I started to figure that out a little bit more and more. So I think I’m in a good spot going into tomorrow.”
The putter also warmed up as the round went on, something he’s hoping carries into the 36-hole final that will tee off on Sunday at 7:30 a.m.
“You’ve got to have the putter hot, especially at a golf course that is on the shorter side where there’s going to be a lot of 8-15 footers,” Bannister said. “It could well come down to a putting contest at the end of the day.”
Deliyannis is thrilled to give it his best shot.
“Ecstatic,” Deliyannis said. “It would be an understatement to say it would be cool to win. I can’t wait, but I will wait.”
Women’s: Ringler back in familiar role
Missy Ringler feels far removed from her run of six straight Jane Foddrill Women’s titles from 2012-17.
Golf has been a hard game to play since then with various body parts not cooperating. Add to that this is just the second time there’s been enough interest (four players) for the bracket to be contested. Ringler was happy to be the fourth wheel when North junior golfers Mira Bruce and Kate Johnson joined Lisa Wise in signing up.
But she had to shake off plenty of rust to get ready for Saturday’s semis and managed to pull out a 3 and 2 win over Johnson. Bruce will be her foe in the 18-hole final starting at 7:54 after her 5-and-4 win over Wise.
“Little scary, not gonna lie,” said Ringler, who will go after an 11th City title. “So (husband) Lance, we played Jack and Jill, this is great, nine holes, it’s gonna be fun. Then I saw these young ladies were signed up for the City and needed another person, so OK, fine.
“It’s fun. I’m happy to be back. I wanted the tradition to continue. My qualifying round was the first time I’ve played 18 holes since 2018. Seven years ago.”
The hardest part of coming back?
“The feel,” Ringler said. “It’s like my body doesn’t feel right. I’ve just got to get repetitions. I went and hit a few balls yesterday. Just the repetition of it is what I need.”
It’s Bruce’s first time in the tourney, following in the footsteps of her father, and her first experience with match play. She was up two at the turn and punctuated her win with a 40-foot putt on No. 13.
BLOOMINGTON CITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Saturday’s results
PHIL TALBOTT MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP: [1] Jason Bannister d. [12] Brad Scroggins, 6 and 5; [3 Simon Deliyannis d. [2] Robert Wise, 3 and 2.
PAUL GRAY SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: [9] Chad Osborne d. [4] Darren Fuller, 6 and 4; [7] Matt Till vs. [14] Charles Osborne, 3 and 1.
ROSS RUSH SUPER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: [1] Dan Neubecker d. [5] Dick Meacham, 2 and 1; [2] Ike Martin d. [3] Rory Brown, 4 and 3.
JANE FODDRILL WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP: [1] Missy Ringler d. [4] Kate Johnson 3 and 2; [3] Mira Bruce d. [2] Lisa Wise, 5 and 4.
MEN’S REGULAR
First flight: [8] Carter Cheaney d. [4] JT Storm, 4 and 3; [2] Jesse Hernandez d. [3] Andrew Conder, 4 and 3. Second flight: [4] Sam Wise d. [1] Alex Bruce, 9 and 7; [7] Jeremy Wise d. [6] Hank Ripley, 1 up. Third flight: [1] James Richardson d. [5] Young Oh, 5 and 4; [2] Chris Stedman d. [3] Bryan Fyalkowski, 1 up. Fourth flight: [1] Clayton Spinks d. [4] Bobby Duvall, 19 holes; [2] Matt Wilson d. [6] Jarrett Wise, 6 and 5.
SENIOR REGULAR
First flight: [5] Jay Freund d. [1] Mike Bruce, 2 and 1; [2] Brad Leach d. [3] Rick Scheid, 5 and 4. Second flight: [4] Matt Grubb d. [1] Barry King, 2 and 1; [2] Jon Hunt d. [6] Mike Vernon, Jr. 8 and 7.
SUPER SENIOR REGULAR
First flight: [5] Steve Sims d. [1] Steve McDonald, by forfeit; [2] Mike Thomas d. [6] Jim Shea, 5 and 4. Second flight: [1] Gary Walters d. [5] Jan Bond, 2 and 1; [2] Brian Werth d. [6] Charlie Gill, 2 and 1. Third flight: [1] Steve Englert d. [4] Mike Smith, 2 and 1; [2] Tom Dukes d. [3] Rickey Rogers, 7 and 5.
Sunday tee times
PHIL TALBOT MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP: 7:30 a.m.: [1] Jason Bannister vs. [3] Simon Deliyannis, 36 holes
PAUL GRAY SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP, 7:38 a.m.: [7] Matt Till vs. [9] Chad Osborne, 36 holes.
ROSS RUSH SUPER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP, 7:46 a.m.: [1] Dan Neubecker vs. [2] Ike Martin, 18 holes.
JANE FODDRILL WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP, 7:54 a.m.: [1] Missy Ringler vs. [3] Mira Bruce, 18 holes.
MEN’S REGULAR — First flight, 8:02 a.m.: [2] Jesse Hernandez vs. [8] Carter Cheaney. Second flight, 8:10: [4] Sam Wise vs.[7] Jeremy Wise. Third flight, 8:18: [1] James Richardson vs. [2] Chris Stedman. Fourth flight, 8:26: [1] Clayton Spinks vs. [2] Matt Wilson.
SENIOR REGULAR — First flight, 8:34 a.m.: [2] Brad Leach vs. [5] Jay Freund, Second flight, 8:42: [2] Jon Hunt vs. [4] Matt Grubb.
SUPER SENIOR REGULAR — First flight, 8:50 a.m.: [2] Mike Thomas vs. [5] Steve Sims; Second flight, 8:58: [1] Gary Walters vs. [2] Brian Werth. Third flight, 9:06: [1] Steve Englert vs. [2] Tom Dukes.
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