McCauley and Deziel Win Tournament of Champs, Players of the Year

Isabella McCauley of Inver Grove Heights and Nate Deziel of East Grand Forks claimed the 2018 Girls and Boys Players Tour Tournament of Champions with wins at Minnesota National Golf Course. With these victories, both McCauley and Deziel claimed Players Tour Player of the Year honors.

McCauley, a 14-year-old and the second-youngest player in the field, erased a five-shot deficit in the second round to win by three shots over Josalynn Abbott, also of Inver Grove Heights, with a two-day 7-over 151 total. Shelby Busker, the 18-hole leader, struggled on the final day and wound up finishing T-4.

In what was a tight race, McCauley’s victory at the Tourney of Champs gave her 2018 Players Tour Player of the Year honors. She edged out Players Tour Match Play Champ Emma Welch of Lakeville with a final tally of 737.50 to 715 in the points standings.

Deziel, an 18-year-old, began the day four shots behind the leader Ben Hicks, the Players Tour Open Champ, before posting a 2-under 70 to win the title. His 70 was the low round of the day by an impressive five shots.

The Boys Player of the Year race proved to be another close contest, but Deziel’s victory gave him this year’s award beating out Ethan Vikander of Aberdeen, S.D. 820 to 792.50.