Zeeland city manager wins Grand Valley Amateur

Tim Klunder, 39, of Zeeland, couldn’t have picked a better time to win his first-ever amateur tournament golf championship.

“I was first one other time at Kalamazoo Valley,” said Klunder after winning the open title at the sixth annual Grand Valley Amateur Sunday at The Meadows.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Klunder, the Zeeland city manager since 2002. “It wasn’t something I planned or I expected.”

After carding a 72 Saturday, Klunder followed that up Sunday with 75 and 72.

“Tim played great throughout the entire tournament,” said Don Underwood, GVSU coach and tournament organizer.”

“I drove the ball well and my short game was spectacular,” Klunder said.

Klunder, who never lost a ball in the tall Meadows grass, graduated from Grand Valley in 1991.

“Unfortunately, they didn’t have a golf program back then,” Klunder said.
The windy conditions at The Meadows didn’t seem to bother Klunder, who finished his final round with three birdies.

“I hit the ball low. I think that really kept me out of any serious trouble,” Klunder said.

Klunder’s wife Kim and one of their four children, Scott, a senior at Zeeland East, were happy for their husband and father, respectively.

“I’m so proud of Tim,” Kim said. “He worked hard for this.”

“My dad was amazing,” said Scott, a member of Zeeland East’s golf team. “I just want to beat him someday.”

First-round leader Josh Burt finished one-stroke behind Klunder at 220.
“No. 15 cost me the championship,” Burt said. “I had a quad (bogey) on 15. But overall I was very pleased with the way I played the last two days.”

Burt, a junior at Grand Valley State University, followed up his 2-under-par 70 round with a 78 and 72.
“I didn’t putt very well today and (Klunder) played well,” Burt said.

Bob Sakocius, 52, who captured the Senior Division championship (75-71 146) finished third overall with a 224 score.
“I don’t consider myself a senior,” Sakocius said. “I consider myself a junior.”

Despite his strong play, Sakocius doesn’t play as much golf these days.

“I’ve slowed down a lot,” Sakocius said. “I’m down to playing once a week.”

Curt Bobeldyk of West Olive, the 2006 and 2007 Senior Division champion, came in fifth in his age bracket (157) and was 19th overall with a 54-hole 234 score.