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Montplaisir captures 2010 East Valley Short Course title

Larry Montplaisir, from Gilbert, led wire-to-wire to take his first AGA individual tournament title at the 2010 East Valley Short Course, with a total of 19 points. The event, taking place at Augusta Ranch Golf Club, is one of the more popular events on the AGA tournament schedule. 
The Modified Stableford format makes the event unique, especially with the many opportunities for eagles and birdies, on the 3788 yard, par 61 golf course. Players are awarded 8 points for a double-eagle, 5 points for an eagle, 2 for a birdie, 0 for a par and –1 for a bogey or worse. Montplaisir stormed out of the gate on Saturday, posting 17 points in the first round alone. What made his day even more remarkable, was he had nine birdies during his first round. He headed into Sunday with a 3-point lead over Jim Tate, and a 5-point lead over Ryan Schwartz and Pat Geare. Trying to make a final round charge at Montplaisir was the reigning AGA Player of the year Michael Wog II, and 2008 AGA Player of the Year Paul Welle. Wog II posted 15 points in his final round, which included eagles on 4th and 7th holes, and 3 birdies. His two-day total of 17 points left him in 2nd place. Welle had a two-day total of 16 points, including 9 in the final round, which was highlighted by his eagle on the 12th hole. Montplaisir proved to be too tough, and the first round leader held on to win his first AGA individual title. His final round total of 2 points, which included three birdies, gave him a 2-day total of 19 points for the victory. Montplaisir has won two AGA Four-Ball Championships, in 1997 and 2000. The East Valley Short Course victory makes it his first individual AGA Tournament Title. Highlights from the first round included two hole-in-one’s. Marc Apps, from Payson, aced the par 3, 2nd hole. Even more rare, 16-year old Michael Anderson, from Phoenix, aced the par 4, 4th hole (274 yards) for a double-eagle.