—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Andrew Huseman putts during the Travis J. Habhab Amateur tournament at Lakeside. Huseman shot a 99 to win the tourney. For more photos visit CU at messengernews.net

There was nothing wrong with Andrew Huseman’s start to the championship nine Saturday at the Travis J. Habhab Amateur.

It just wasn’t as nice as the rest of his final round pairing.

All three other golfers playing with Huseman recorded a birdie on No. 10 at Lakeside Golf Course, with the former Arkansas State University golfer carding a par.

Huseman, the grandson of Fort Dodge icon Dutch Huseman, went on to post four birdies and finish with a 32 to claim the title by two shots over Ryan Kinseth. It marked his fourth title at the event.

After recording a 34-33 to start, Huseman broke 100 with a 99. Kinseth had a 67 and followed that up with a 34 for a 101 with Kevin Ault finishing third, Charlie West fourth and Jeff Peterson fifth.

“I had a really great time,” said Huseman, who spent this past season as a graduate assistant coach for the Arkansas State golf team. “Everybody started off with a birdie and I got behind the eight ball, but I stayed patient, had a nice birdie on 14 and just a great time out there overall.”

Huseman said this was his first tournament of the summer and he also broke in a new club before hitting the course. He plans to complete his Master’s degree online before moving to Florida with an eye towards turning pro next summer.

“It felt good to play again and get those nerves back,” he said. “I surprised myself a little (with how I played). I put a new putter in the bag and it worked out, as I didn’t have a single bogey all day.”

Kinseth, a Fort Dodge Senior High graduate, had three birdies and Ault, also a grad of FDSH, had four over the championship nine. The two were teammates at Wartburg College.

“It was a lot of fun out there with Kevin again,” Kinseth said. “And it was fun watching Andrew play. It’s a different game when you are a little younger.

“But it was just really cool to be back. We grew up with Travis and he is missed, so to come back, play with friends and see people, that’s always fun.”

Ault, who previously worked at Lakeside, almost didn’t make the tournament this year due to prior obligations.

“It’s good to be back with the memorial tournament for Travis,” he said. “Chad (Graaf) does a great job and the course was in great shape as always. This is just a neat event with the Hawkeye bench for Trav and things around the course honoring him.”

Avery Fuhs, a Webster City grad, finished sixth, former St. Edmond standout Eddie Doyle was seventh, ex-Dodger Austin Morrow placed eighth, Parker Davidson was ninth and SEHS grad Robert Flattery 10th.

The tournament, formerly known as the Lakeside Amateur, is named for Habhab, who worked for years at both the clubhouse and course. He graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 2001.

A total of 60 golfers competed in the tournament.

TRAVIS J. HABHAB AMATEUR

(Results from Saturday, June 1; Lakeside Golf Course)

Championship Flight

1. Andrew Huseman, 67-32–99; 2. Ryan Kinseth, 67-34–101; 3. Kevin Ault, 69-33–102; 4. Charlie West, 69-33–102; 5. Jeff Peterson, 73-33–106; 6. Avery Fuhs, 70-36–106; 7. Eddie Doyle, 70-37–107; 8. Austin Morrow, 73-35–108; 9. Parker Davidson, 72-37–109; 10. Robert Flattery, 73-37–110.

First flight — 1. Connor Shannon, 77; 2. Zach Martin, 77; 3. Tom Schill, 77; Second flight — 1. Lance Utley, 81; 2. Phil Larson, 82; 3. Dylan Rose, 83; Third flight — 1. George Valdez, 87; 2. Clint Foth, 88; 3. Lex Helton, 89.