June 20, 2006

by Pat Galbincea
Cleveland Plain Dealer Reporter

CLEVELAND - Mike Rutgers likely will go down as the most unusual champion in the 76-year history of the Northeast Ohio Amateur Invitational after the 22-year-old Cleveland State junior outlasted 48-year-old Jim Mehallis by one stroke Monday (June 19) in the 36-hole final at Walden Golf & Country Club.

Rutgers, a native of Windsor, Ontario, posted final rounds of even-par 72 and 3-over 75. Coupled with his 5-over 77 at Tippecanoe Country Club and 1-under 71 at Fowler's Mill, his 295 total edged Mehallis, an Aurora resident and member at Walden, by a stroke.

In the seniors division, Mike Crider, 57, of Bay Village shot a 2-under 70, and his 224 total beat out 2004 champion Tim Porter of Canfield by three strokes.

What makes Rutgers so unusual? To begin with, he was a last-second entrant. He came to Tippecanoe last Monday to watch CSU teammates Doug Barber and Joe Ribelli. Northern Ohio Golf Association officials allowed him to compete after a late cancellation by another player. Rutgers had to borrow NOGA Executive Director Scott Rorabaugh's clubs.

"I didn't bring my clubs because I came to support my Cleveland State teammates," Rutgers said. "This is the first tournament in Ohio I've played in as an amateur other than college golf.

"If it wasn't for the urging of Joe and Doug, I wouldn't have played. . . . I mean, I had to play Tippecanoe and Walden knowing nothing about those courses."

There didn't appear to be a race for the tournament title after Paul Kasper, 25, of Mentor shot the tournament low 4-under 68 in Friday's morning round. He led the field by five strokes going into the afternoon's final 18 holes but imploded with an 88. He four-putted a 3-foot birdie attempt on the 158-yard 11th hole.

Two rain delays also plagued golfers. Rutgers reached the 13th with birdies on three of four holes but struggled after the delays.

He two-putted from 10 feet for par on the final hole while Mehallis' 8-footer for par smacked the back of the cup, leaped up and stayed out.

"I don't think the rain affected us," Rutgers said.

"We both just started making bad swings. I'm happy I won because I certainly didn't play to my potential."

"After operations on both knees, I never expected to be in title contention," Mehallis said.

"At my age, I might not have many more shots at a title like this, but I had a good time."