A pair of former Niles baseball players made quite an impact on the Niles City Golf Tournament at Plym Park this past weekend.

Tate Rudlaff and Isaiah Beckman have put down their gloves and bats in exchange for golf clubs. Competing in their first city tournament, the pair proved that changing your swing from baseball to golf can pay big dividends.

Rudlaff followed in his great-grandfather’s footsteps by winning the Men’s C championship in his first attempt.

Rudlaff needed one playoff hole against Cano Ramos to win the city championship. Todd Nichols finished third with a 186.

Rudlaff’s great-grandfather, Tony Frucci, won the championship flight of the city tournament in 1955 at the age of 27. Tate’s aunt, Vanessa Rudlaff, captured the women’s city championship this year.

“It was pretty exciting,” Rudlaff said. “I played pretty much every day down here to get ready. It paid off. I wasn’t nervous teeing off (in the playoff), but when I got on the green I was a little shaky. I just knew if I three-putted I would be fine.”

Rudlaff was on the first green in two and two-putted for a par to win the championship as Cano bogeyed the hole.

Beckman shot 170 to beat Chris Woofter in a one-hole playoff. Nick Borkowski finished third, a shot back at 171.

“Chris and I played together the whole 18,” Beckman said. “We both struggled on the front nine, but we came alive on the back nine. We both shot 39 coming out. We both got it together for the final nine holes.”

Beckman used a par on the first playoff hole to beat Woofter, who bogeyed the hole. Beckman sank a seven-foot putt for the win.

Alan Shirrell captured the Men’s A championship with a 172 which was one shot better than runner-up Rusty Woofter. Ryan Head finished third with a 174.

“It was a struggle to start, but once you get through the nerves it is a lot easier,” Shirrell said. “The back nine was a lot easier.”

 

Niles City Golf Tournament

At Plym Park Golf Course

Men’s A

Alan Shirrell 172

Rusty Woofter 173

Ryan Head 174

Steve Hoskins 177

Will Townsley 181

Curt McKenski 182

Randy Mare 183

Dan Balos 184

 

Men’s B

Isaiah Beckman 170

Chris Woofter 170

Nick Borkowski 171

Justin Brewer 174

Tim Howard 180

Nathan Kahne 181

Paul Depoy 183

Randy Lujan 186

Justin Londowki 189

Mike Cowan 191

Tony Gaideski 193

Bob Perry 194

Jeff Nash 198

Todd Sobieralski 198

Derrick Dye 201

 

Men’s C

Nate Rudlaff 180

Cano Ramos 180

Todd Nichols 186

Jason Frewellen 188

Rick Kidwell 188

Brian Rudlaff 189

William Gaideski 190

Brian Cheney 192

David Kaiden 196

Anthony Otolski 201

Rick Vernier 211

Keith Corbett 211

Dave VanLue 212