Risners Earn City Golf Championship Wins on Sunday

Local golfer Cannon Risner follows through during his qualifying round at the Country Club of Jackson for the Jackson City Golf Championship on Saturday. He advanced to the round of 16 with a win on Sunday.   Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

Local golfers Chad and Cannon Risner have visions of playing one another in the Jackson City Golf Championship at the Country Club of Jackson later in the week.

They will have to win a few more matches to get there.

Chad Risner defeated Pete Walz 1 up on Sunday and Cannon Risner overcame a 4-down situation on the front nine for a 2-up win over Sean Vann.

All 32 of the qualifiers played Sunday in the first round at the Country Club of Jackson.

The course is closed on Monday, but sweet 16 matches will conclude on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Chad Risner went from 1 down to 1 up in the final three holes to defeat Walz – a three-time winner of the Jackson City Championship. Risner was the 25th seeded player in the 32-player field.

“I struggled a bit in the qualifying (shooting 80),” Risner said. “I had two birdies and three bogeys today.”

Risner said he enjoys playing at the Country Club of Jackson during the local tournaments.

“You always have perfect conditions to play golf at the Country Club of Jackson,” Risner said.

In Chad Risner’s bracket, Steve Maddalena, Mark Kurzynowski, and Evan Brzyski earned wins. Risner will face Napoleon High School junior Brzyski in round two. Maddalena and Kurzynowski will face off in a second-round match.

Logan Anuskiewicz, Riley Hestwood, Brett Casto, and Dave Crandall earned win in the second bracket.

Co-medalist Mike Brockie, Brett Valkuchak, Cannon Risner, and Conor Spencer earned wins in the third bracket.

Co-medalist Henry Hitt, Mike Boldt, Matt Farhat, and Cody Lysher earned wins in opening matches in the fourth bracket.

Matt Farhat earned an upset in the fourth bracket. The No. 27 seed defeated Brad McEldowney 5-4.

“I started out pretty quick, winning two of the first four holes,” Farhat said. “I only lost one hole today.”

Farhat has played serious tournament golf for about 15 years.

“I don’t take it as super serious as I have … just go out there and play golf,” Farhat said. “Match play is easier because you don’t have to worry about the scores.

“I can play freely.”

Jackson City Golf Championship brackets

Country Club of Jackson

First bracket

Steve Maddalena defeated Lance Veydt, 5-3

Mark Kurzynowski defeated Mike Raymond, 1 up

Chad Risner defeated Pete Walz, 1 up

Evan Brzyski defeated Brian Carney, 1 up 19 holes

Second bracket

Logan Anuskiewicz defeated Will Double, 4-3

Riley Hestwood defeated Justin Bunch, 4-2

Brett Casto defeated John Tarpley, 2-1

Dave Crandall defeated Dave Page, 2 up

Third bracket

Mike Brockie defeated Tom Raymond, 5-4

Bret Valkuchak defeated Tim Pickering, 7-6

Cannon Risner defeated Sean Vann, 2 up

Conor Spencer defeated Todd Marston, 5-4

Fourth bracket

Henry Hitt defeated Zach Boorom, 2-1

Mike Boldt defeated Luke Girodat, 2 up

Matt Farhat defeated Brad McEldowney, 5-4

Cody Lysher defeated Colin McLane, 3-1

Second round matches continue Tuesday or Wednesday at the Country Club of Jackson.