Smith back to defend KRGI Mayor's Cup title

Recent history says that defending the KRGI Mayor's Cup title is a difficult task. Just ask Jonathan Smith.

Smith, who rallied to win last year's event at Grand Island's Jackrabbit Run Golf Course, is trying to become just the second player to ever repeat as the Mayor's Cup champion. The Doniphan golfer was on the verge of winning a second consecutive title in 2004, but Myron Parsley's eagle on the par-5 18th hole gave the Hampton native the victory.

"Defending is never easy," said Smith, who shot an even-par 144 to win his second Mayor's Cup title last year. "I guess you might put a little extra pressure on yourself, but once you tee off on the first hole, it's no different than any other tournament.

"The biggest thing is there are just a lot of other good players out there."

Smith is looking to become the first player to successfully defend his title in the Mayor's Cup since Craig Moyer in 1991. Moyer is easily the most dominant player in the event's history, winning it four consecutive years from 1984-87 and then winning three straight times from 1989-1991 before claiming his record eighth Cup in 1995.

In addition to Smith, there are two other past champions entered. Jeff Staggs, who won in 1997, is returning to play along with Parsley (2004).

A total of 25 other players will be looking to knock off Smith in the 1430 KRGI championship flight when the two-day, 36-hole stroke-play tournament gets under way at 7 a.m. Saturday. A full field of 180 players in eight flights will be competing for more than $11,000 in prizes, including $400 in golf shop credit going to the winner in each flight.

Sunday's second round is also scheduled to start at 7 a.m. The final group in the championship flight is slated to tee off at approximately 2:35 p.m. Sunday.

At that point, Smith said his goal is just to make sure he's in the mix for the final round.

"My game has been coming around a little bit," Smith said. "I hit it pretty well the other night in league (at Jackrabbit Run), so that has given me a little more confidence for the weekend that I might not have had otherwise."

Smith, who has been a perennial contender in the Mayor's Cup, said course conditions at Jackrabbit Run are as good as he's seen in several years. Head golf professional Don Kruse said he's obviously happy with the course conditions and credits course superintendent Doug Sweeney.

"The golf course is in really good shape, especially considering all the rain that we had a couple of weeks ago," Kruse said. "Doug has done a great job of getting the course ready.

"People have told me that the greens are in better shape than they've ever seen them before."

This year's tournament again features sponsored flights, including KRGI 1430 AM; Dinsdale Chevrolet Cadillac; CBS Insurance; Shonsey, Placke, Maruska, Stava and Meier, P.C.; Copycat Printing; Midwest Heating and Air Conditioning; Pomajzl Chiropractic and Jackrabbit Run Golf Shop.

There will be a catered meal for tournament entrants on Saturday. On Sunday, grilled hamburgers will be sold at the course.



KRGI Mayor's Cup

Past Winners

1977--Vern Moseman, Grand Island    71-x

1978--Dan Bahensky, Kearney    139

1979--Mike Ley, Grand Island    141

1980--Gary Steineke, South Sioux City    138

1981--Steve Mack, Grand Island    139

1982--Dave Maurstad, Beatrice    141

1983--Ty Swan, Holdrege    141

1984--Craig Moyer, Grand Island    140

1985--Craig Moyer, Grand Island    145

1986--Craig Moyer, Grand Island    139

1987--Craig Moyer, Grand Island    141

1988--Bill Henderson, Omaha    139

1989--Craig Moyer, Grand Island    70-x

1990--Craig Moyer, Grand Island    142

1991--Craig Moyer, Grand Island    142

1992--Roger Harms, Grand Island    144

1993--John Holling, Grand Island    144

1994--Steve Kunzman, Grand Island    144

1995--Craig Moyer, Grand Island    141

1996--Ryan Nietfeldt, Grand Island    142*

1997--Jeff Staggs, Grand Island    145

1998--Jamie Seim, Grand Island    138

1999--Rich Kortum, Grand Island    142

2000--Jamie Seim, Grand Island    141

2001--Rich Kortum, Wayne    141*

2002--Curtis Garver, Kearney    138

2003--Jonathan Smith, Doniphan    146*

2004--Myron Parsley, Lincoln    140*

2005--Matt Jarosz, Grand Island    139

2006--Mark Baumann, Omaha    140

2007--Jonathan Smith, Doniphan    144

x-18 holes; *-won playoff


KRGI Championship Flight
Alec Anania, Grand Island; Patrick Arterburn, Kearney; Casey Ballou, Omaha; Kevin Bartlett, Grand Island; Allen Boltz, Grand Island; Jay Gnuse, Grand Island; Tyler Goosic, Lincoln; Ben Hanssen, Grand Island; Dale Jenneman Jr., Grand Island; Klay Kluver, Doniphan; Norman Kohtz, Grand Island; Scott Kremer, Milford; Brett Larson, Omaha; Mike Mack, Omaha; Mike Malm, Central City; PJ Matulka, Olathe, Kan.; Ryan McCarty, Grand Island; Brian McGuire, Kearney; Jim Meyer, Grand Island; Myron Parsley, Lincoln; Jim Rash, Doniphan; Garrett Rathke, Cairo; Jonathan Smith, Doniphan; Jeff Staggs, Sutherland; Brian Stock, Doniphan; Todd Wiese, Grand Island.