Ace Ellis wins the 15th Zigfield Troy Open
Over the years, Lincolnshire’s Ace Ellis has seen and played many Chicago area golf courses. The 9 hole Par 3 Zigfield Troy Golf Course in Woodridge, IL was on his unplayed list until the Zigfield Troy Open on the weekend of July 27 and 28. After his inaugural Saturday 18 hole score of two-over par 56, he was tied for 7th place. The first day’s experience must have been agreeable for Ellis’ game on Sunday, as he shot a tournament-record four-under par 50 to win the tournament. The 1962 Illinois State Amateur and 1963 CDGA Champion strung together three birdies on his third, fourth and fifth holes Sunday to position himself for a back-nine run at Downers Grove’s Jeff Hendrickson, who had the first-day lead of one-under par 53, thanks to a timely hole-in-one on the 80 yard ninth; his final hole of the day. The senior Ellis never relinquished the lead after his front-nine 25, scoring another 25 on the back-nine for the win and a 36 hole score of 106. Ellis is the first amateur in three years to win the coveted Zigfield Troy straw hat, as the last two titles were won by professionals Mike Troy and Andy Krajewski.
Along with Ellis’ open division win, there were four other division winners, too. Tom Sacco, of Crest Hill, won the Senior’s division with a score of 117. Mary Kukulski, of Chicago, won the Women’s division with a score of 131. The High School division was won by Clarendon Hills’ Jim Troy with a score of 117, while Nick Cosantino of Naperville won the Grade School division with a score of 155.
Final results – 1996 Zigfield Troy Open
Zigfield Troy Par 3 Golf Course
2,186 yards – Par 54/54 108
1. Ace Ellis-Lincolnshire 56/50-106
2. Bill Strauss-Omaha, NE 57/53-110
3. Josh Benson-Lakeland, FL 55/56-111
4. Marv Nelson-Lisle 55/57-112
Brian Hickey-Burr Ridge 56/56-112
6. Joe Gorac-Clarendon Hills 58/55-113
Tony Clausen-Melrose Park 55/58-113
Dan Gurgon-Westfield, IN 55/58-113
Jeff Hendrickson-Downers Grove 53/60-113
10. Bill Jarchow-Sandwich 58/57-115
Rick Grassel-Chesterton, IN 58/57-115