Wednesday - Pebble Lake Golf Club, Fergus Falls, MN

The golf course was there for the taking on a beautiful afternoon in Northern MN.

The Colonel has the lead after the first round in the Sweater for the first time .... well EVER. Ken's 77 net 66.8 stunned the record field of 18 golfers. In second is the black cobra - AZ champ JP, who made it look easy with a 76. Four time champ Fritzie grabbed third with an 80 net 69.8. Michael "Absence of Malice" Gallner had only one three putt en route to 77 net 70. Rounding out the group under par is Johnny "Juan" who shot 84 net 70.3.

The rookie Billy "C-4" Cutler three putted the two of the last three greens but still shot the low gross round of the day with a 75. "H"-chee, The Doctor, Waldo, Spackler and the Tin Man all played well. 

The early drones are the two Doug's, Nauman and Dick and the real shocker Kippy, who should have eaten that course alive. 

Proving some things never change - the Tin Man was burned in the wee hours of the morning in the RV when H's thermos of scalding hot coffee was not secured properly and dumped on his foot. Chris's foot is blistered and he played much of the round with this shoe untied, and there is speculation that it was set up by the Yellow Jackets, who are capable of doing ANYTHING to break the Prepsters win streak. 

    Thursday - Perham Lakeside, Perham, MN

The weather was fabulous but the wind blew hard and the greens had been punched and the scores reflected it.

The leader, Ken "The Colonel" Shoemaker played by far the best round of the group. In his 85-37, he played his last 18 holes +4 over. He has a commanding 8.2 shot lead over the next closest competitor - Juan Valdez. JP is in third eleven shots back. Tied in fourth are Ward and Fritzie. 

The TJ / Prep match was a record blowout. The Yellow Jackets were just too tough and Juan and Tins struggled with the wind and greens all day.  

Friday - Headwaters Country Club, Park Rapids, MN 

MOVING DAY

Another day of perfect weather. The temperature was in the 80's and the wind blew, making the final nine from the tips a real bear. Colonel was aces again, shooting 77-46, and the second nine 46 included a "nine" on a Par 4. Junior inched his way ahead of Juan for second, but he is 13.4 strokes back and will be giving Colonel 2.6 so the true lead is 16 shots over JP. Juan is 13.9 back but will be getting 3.5 - so he is technically 10.4 behind to start the day. Fritz has the same handicap as Colonel and is exactly 16 behind. 

The largest lead ever relinquished in a final round in Sweater History was Kirk Madsen (+9.9 shots) - 2004 Arizona to Pete Poulos.      

The big move today was made by "Sophmore" Dave Berliner. His 73-37 was good enough to leap him into the final group. He is 14.9 shots back, but has to give Colonel +6.4. He'll need to go very low to have a chance. Rounding out the championship group is Fritzie. He has done nothing spectacular this trip, but has been steady and sits 16 back. 

The second group includes Woodrow, Mikey G, Kippy, Tommy Two Tone and The Doctor. The entire group is within one shot of each other and 21 back of the leader.  Tommy has basically played the entire trip one handed thanks to a fall he took over the weekend that injured his right wrist. After starting day two in dead last, Kipper has made an admirable run and has a good shot at winning the calcutta.

The Tin Man, Waldo, the rookie Bill Cutler and H-chee avoided droning. Cutter went sideways on the first nine making two 8's en route to a remarkable 81. 

The 2008 Minnesota Drones are Dougie, Jeff "Pickle" Nielsen, Doug "Bulldog" Nauman and early King Drone Kevin Davie. 

Saturday - Thumper Pond, Ottertail, MN 

In one of the most thrilling final rounds of all time, James Paul made a run for the ages. The three time champion and current Sweater holder dunked his third shot from 100 yards out for an EAGLE three on the very first hole. Colonel was understandably shaken, and JP seized the moment and kept turning up the heat.. He went on to birdie #5 and shot two over par on the front nine. Colonel was a complete train wreck, shooting a 50. He had relinquished his entire lead by the 12th green.

JP played the first five holes on the back nine +1 over par and looked like he had knocked Colonel out for the count. The momentum then shifted on the par 3 15th. JP had a long birdie putt, but ended up four putting for double bogie. The Colonel picked up a shot and hit a perfect drive on the tough 16th hole. JP then hit his tee ball O.B. right. Ken made five, JP made seven and Ken had regained the lead. JP got one back on #17, but was still down a stroke going into the Par 5 18th. JP hit is tee ball right again into the trees, and Ken laced his best drive of the day. Ken finished the hole off with a very tough par to win his first Sweater in 12 years. 

The Colonel had blown the largest lead in Sweater history, but admirably fought back to win his second Yellow Sweater on his 46th birthday.    

Juan and the Tin Man took it on the chin in the Prep / T.J. match - losing by a record margin thanks to Colonel's inspired play. .