The low amateur Sunday in the AGB Cup was Michael Sullivan, who cruised to a 73 at Anchorage Golf Course. That’s the closest anyone got to honorary pro Rob Nelson, who fired a smooth 68 to win the second annual installment of the event and take home an engraved trophy flask.
“This is quite an accomplishment for me,” Nelson said. “I was a little disappointed last year after not winning. I actually thought I played better last year than I did this year.”
Nelson, who many call Nelly, shot a 5-under 67 last summer. That was the low gross score by a shot, but last year’s trophy went to the low net score, fired by Rich Teders. The AGB Cup alternates between low net and low gross champions each year.
Jeremy Peters held a one-shot lead over Nelson through five holes Sunday, but that lead was gone after Nelson made birdie at the par-5 sixth hole, where Peters made double-bogey. Nelson never trailed anyone again, making seven birdies under a hot blue sky.
“I hit 17 greens (in regulation),” Nelson said. “I actually thought I putted really well until I saw my stats said I had 34 putts.”
Nelson has taught lessons for years in Anchorage and many of the amateurs who played in the AGB Cup are his pupils. Nelson’s teaching days may be numbered, however, meaning his former students will have to up their games if they want a chance to add to their trophy collection.
“I really am kinda contemplating getting my amateur status back,” Nelson said. “I want to play and I want to enjoy it and there’s just so little to play in as a pro.”
There was a time Nelson used to supplement his income by playing in a handful of professional tournaments each summer, but those days are gone. The money was never the important part, Nelson said. The best part of playing in tournaments was the competition and the feeling of accomplishment behind winning a trophy. Finding that most amateur tournaments won’t allow pros to join in, Nelson’s playing schedule stagnated in recent years.
“The game of golf up here has gone the wrong way,” Nelson said. “I don’t know how that turns around. I think it’s directly related to the oil business.”
This summer, Nelson stoked his fire for golf by participating in the Herschel Deaton Gaggle, a weekly skins game that features some of the state’s top amateurs, and by enjoying AGB Tour challenge matches. Nelson is the top-ranked player on the AGB Tour and has fielded numerous challenges from pros and amateurs, none of whom have managed to beat him.
“It means something to me to be ranked No. 1 on the AGB Tour, it really does,” Nelson said. “It’s a tiny little pond up here, but it still means something to be the best player in Alaska.”
AGB Cup scores (gross)
- Rob Nelson – 68
- Michael Sullivan – 73
- Benjie Sumulong – 76
- Jung Han – 76
- Rick Boyles – 76
- Jordan Miller – 76
- Rich Teders – 77
- Chris Morin – 77
- Josh Ashline – 78
- Marcus Dolejsi – 79
- Kevin Daniels – 79
- Herschel Deaton -80
- Jeremy Peters – 80
- Paul Smith – 80
- Ross McCarthy – 81
- Martin Kwon – 82
- Mike Farrell – 82
- Heath Martin – 82
- Tim Ruf – 82
- Chad Griffith – 84
- Mark McMahan – 84
- Trey Miller – 85
- Aaron Roth – 86
- Taylor Holley – 87
- Ed Gohr – 87
- Kwan Lee -88
- Casey Bieber – 91
- Matt Nevala – 99
- Stan Mahlatini – 100
