June 28, 2022

PEORIA, IL — Chad Cronauer won the 2022 Carl Spackler Open at Metamora Fields scoring 8 points on the final two holes Saturday. He hit to 3 feet on the final hole setting up a 5-point par long-putt after rookie Dale Miller scored just 1 point each on the final two holes.

Dale Miller, who led the tournament nearly for 54 holes, placed second with 208 points.

“I gave up on the back nine,” Cronauer said after jumping into the pond at Metamora Fields. “I basically gave up, but somehow was still in it at the end. To sit here today and realize what happened is a bit of a shock, obviously. The stress was giving my legs cramps.”

Cronauer was lurking near the top of the leaderboard all week and grabbed the lead momentarily on Saturday after birding the 3rd hole. He overtook Miller to win pumping his fist.

Chad and Dale Miller beat out Jason Ridgeway, Rick Dosky, and Ken Ward who rounded out the Top 5. Seniors Allen Bittner, Bryan Long, and Charlie Long placed in the Top 10. Dale Miller won the Noonan Award for best finish by a rookie.

"It is everything you want for a great golf tournament," says former champion Pat Boland. "It was tight all week and came down to the last putt."

James Justice, the three-year veteran from Pennsylvania, lost the tournament. He wore both the Al Czverik Outfit and Carl Spackler Outfit. He scored just 76 points over the 3 day tournament.