Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Robert Flattery of Fort Dodge tees off during the Habhab Amateur tournament on Sunday at Lakeside Golf Course.

Robert Flattery returned to his old stomping grounds on Sunday and captured the 2018 Travis Habhab Amateur championship at Lakeside Golf Course by a single stroke over former high school teammate Eddie Doyle.

Flattery, an ex-St. Edmond standout who once set a nine-hole program record here and helped the Gaels to a state runner-up finish at Lakeside in 2016, used his familiarity with the layout to card a two-under par 70 heading into the championship nine. Flattery then staved off the hard-charging Doyle and former Prairie Valley star Cole Jaeschke down the stretch.

”I played decent overall,” said Flattery, who just completed his sophomore season at nationals with the DMACC men’s program. ”I made enough putts and I’ve been hitting the ball well. I was just consistent enough.

”I feel good because this was a really strong field. It was really windy and the greens were fast, but they were also rolling about as pure as I’ve ever seen. I was fortunate to come out on top. ”

Sunday’s title is the first for Flattery at Lakeside in his third attempt. He is also a regular contender in both the Fort Dodge Amateur and city tournament, and he will compete in both again this summer.

Flattery trailed only Fort Dodge Senior High grad Ryan Kinseth by one shot after the opening round. Jaeschke (two-under 34) and Doyle (one-under 35) made their respective pushes late on the back nine during the championship flight, but Flattery’s one-over 37 was enough to keep both at bay.

Flattery birdied holes 5, 6, 8, 12 and 18 before the final nine, with bogeys at 1, 13 and 14. He is attending the University of Northern Iowa in the fall, but his collegiate playing days are over.

The win capped a memorable weekend for the Flattery family. Robert’s brother, David, plays baseball for Augustana University. The Vikings captured the Div. II national championship on Saturday.

Robert, David, Jonathan and Anthony are the sons of Fort Dodge’s Terry and Jean Flattery.

Alec Fuhs — a DMACC teammate of Flattery’s and a Webster City High School graduate — tied Jaeschke for third. Former UNI golfer Glenn Walls was fifth.

Doyle won the George Lee Amateur in Humboldt on Saturday. He is also the defending city champ.

Sunday attracted nearly 100 competitors to the tournament under near-perfect — albeit windy — conditions. The Habhab Amateur — formerly known as the Lakeside Am — is named after Travis Habhab, the long-time Lakeside employee who died suddenly in his home at the age of 32 in 2014. Habhab was a graduate of both Fort Dodge Senior High and Iowa Central Community College.

TRAVIS HABHAB AMATEUR

(Sunday’s results, at Lakeside)

Championship Flight

1. Robert Flattery, 70-37–107; 2. Eddie Doyle, 73-35–108; 3. Cole Jaeschke, 76-34–110; (tie) Alec Fuhs, 73-37–110; 5. Glenn Walls, 76-35–111; (tie) Parker Davidson, 74-37–111; 7. Ryan Kinseth, 69-43–112; (tie) Cory Cummins, 75-37–112.

First Flight — 1. Dave Henry, 79; 2. Chad Graaf, 79; 3. Jordan Morrow, 79; 4. Kirk Yung, 79.

Second Flight — 1. Phil Ruth, 84; 2. Devin Gallentine, 84; 3. Nik Morrow, 84; 4. Dennis Pals, 84.

Third Flight — 1. Klayton Kirkpatrick, 89; 2. Troy Creery, 89; 3. Dave Morrow, 89; 4. Brian Erickson, 90.

Fourth Flight — 1. Taylor Monson, 98; 2. Thad Crimmins, 98; 3. Ron Grebner, 98; 4. Marcus Inman, 100.