Iowa wins 9th Hasley Cup

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By Christopher Maloney | Saturday, September 6, 2008 11:37 PM CDT | () comments

EAST MOLINE — Iowa’s Hasley Cup team had the advantage from the beginning, and finished the job Saturday, winning the annual bi-state challenge for the ninth time in 10 years.

The Iowa team dominated singles play and in final points 21-11 at Short Hills Country Club.

The first two rounds, played Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, involved doubles play. Illinois played to a respectable 4-4 tie in Saturday’s alternating doubles play, but Iowa’s depth shined in Saturday’s singles competition.

Iowa’s 16 golfers ran away from their Illinois counterparts 11-5 in the singles round and improved their record to

9-1 over their neighbors.

“Whenever we start out down 6-2, we are in a lot of trouble against Iowa’s team,” said Illinois’ senior captain Bill Brewster of East Moline. “I think their seniors are among the best around. Their putting is so good. Their speed control is uncanny.

“This is a great tournament, though, and a lot of fun to take part in. I know we don’t have the best of the Q-C Illinois side playing in this. Hopefully, they will team with us next year.”

Preston Boyd of Sterling, Ill, was an exception to Brewster’s claims as he beat Iowa’s Mike Long by a score of 2 and 1.

“I drove here from Sterling because I enjoy playing with these guys,” Boyd said. “Iowa’s team is very deep, though, all the way down.”

The Illinois duo of Brad Muller and Tyler Pitlik won their two doubles matches on Friday and Saturday morning but they lost when they were on their own against Iowa Saturday afternoon. Pitlik lost to Iowa’s Chris Wilkins 3-2 and Muller lost to 2008 Quad-City Amateur Tour Championship winner Ben Peters 6-5.

Dusty Drenth of Davenport captained the Iowa squad. He teamed with his father, Mark Drenth, during the morning alternating doubles match in beating Illinois’ Brian Soucinek and Dave Holmes duo by a score of 2 up.

“This was my third Hasley Cup but first time I was captain,” the Q-C Tour Player of the Year said before hoisting the silver cup for his team. “I feel really good about how we played. This is a great bunch of guys and I am glad I was able to lead them to victory. Illinois gave us a tough match, though. We were only up by four points heading into singles and that really isn’t that much.”