Toby Kotinek wins Cow Chip Tourney with 'playoff' drama

The 63rd Annual Men's Cow Chip Open was held Sunday, June 11, at the Lawrence Country Club hosting 55 golfers. The course was blessed with rain along with a light drizzle morning of the tournament, making conditions wet but manageable for the day. First time golfer to this tournament, Toby Kotinek, won the coveted Cow Chip Trophy along with medalist honors for lowest score in the first round after a play off between him and Kelly Karmazin. Toby shot a 34 followed with a 32 in the second round for a score total of 66.

Over the many years of history provided by the Cow Chip Tourney, many times did the event provide a unique experience for all the golfers and spectators. 2023 provided another example. Toby Kotinek's championship finish was the first time in Cow Chip history that a teenager won the event, and he had to win a playoff against a previous champion to earn that championship. Another first for the Cow Chip was the fact that three of the four people in the championship flight were all teen agers, having just graduated from the Lawrence-Nelson High School. Another first for 2023 was having twins (Toby and Tyson Kotinek) place in the championship flight.

Joining Toby in the championship flight and earning trophies were:  Kelly Karmazin, 2nd place with a 67, Tyson Kotinek, 3rd place with a 69, and Krayton Kucera, 4th place with a 70.

First flight results:  1st place – Phil Schroer (73), 2nd place - Greg Pohlmeier (73), 3rd place – Ed Karmazin (73) and 4th place – Todd Webster (74)

Second flight: 1st place – Pat Himmelberg (76), 2nd place – Adam Engel   (77), 3rd place – David Kimminau (78), 4th place – Lonnie Mazour (79)

Third flight: 1st place – Ron Huss (80), 2nd place – Tim Kohmetscher (81), 3rd place – Brett Kohmetscher (82), 4th place – Tate Mazour (82)

Fourth flight: 1st place- Reed Hoffman (82), 2nd place - Marc Stokes (84), 3rd place – Scott Kohmetscher (87), 4th place – Trampas Fischer (88)

Fifth flight: 1st place – Russ Reinsch (88), 2nd place – Dillon Wolfe (89), 3rd place – Garret Hoffstetter (93), 4th place – Mike Mazour (98)

Flag prizes awarded were:  Hole No. 1- longest putt – Dale Kohmetscher (102"), Hole No. 2- closest to the pin in one shot- Trampas Fischer (28"), Hole No. 3- longest drive – Greg Pohlmeier, Hole No. 4 – closest to pin second shot - Jerry Hoelting, Hole No. 5 – closest to the pin in three shots – Toby Kotinek (38"), Hole No. 6 closest to pin in one shot – Kelly Karmazin  (88"), Hole No. 7 – closest tee shot to "Bud Can" -

Pat Himmelberg, Hole No. 8 – closest to the pin in two shots – Ed Karmazin (109"), Hole No. 9 – longest putt – Randy Kohmetscher (191").

The 2023 event had 57 golfers enter the competition.