Journal Times staff

Andy DeKeuster nearly pulled it off Thursday, but came up just short at the Wisconsin State Golf Association State Amateur Championship in Waukesha.

DeKeuster, a Meadowbrook Country Club member from Franksville, started the day five shots behind co-leaders Tyler Obermueller of River Falls and Jordan Elsen of Kenosha at Merrill Hills Country Club and stayed steady while Elsen folded and Obermueller nearly did.

Obermueller, a recent University of Wisconsin graduate, finished with a 6-over par 77, including 41 on the front nine, but held on to win the title by one shot over DeKeuster and Miles McConnell of Fitchburg with a four-day total of 4-over 288.

DeKeuster, a recent Northwestern University graduate, shot a 73, his third straight of the tournament and one of the best rounds of the day, to finish at 289. McConnell, of Odana Hills Golf Club, shot 76.

DeKeuster had five bogeys and three birdies in his round and found out late on the front nine that the leaders were struggling.

"It was close," DeKeuster said. "I didn't get off to a great start, then I was informed on (hole) 8 that they were 4-over for the day. They let everybody get back in."

DeKeuster said he had several good up-and-downs for par, including one he called "the best of my life" on the 187-yard, par-3 ninth hole.

After hitting 40 yards right of the green, he hit a punch wedge that he landed just off the green. The ball nearly went in and stopped four feet from the hole. He made the putt.

"It was an awesome par," DeKeuster said.

On the 10th hole, his par putt did a U-turn in and out of the cup, DeKeuster said, and he took a bogey. After that, he just missed a birdie on 13 hole, birdied 17 and nearly made birdie on 18.

The key to the tournament was leaving his driver in his bag. The fairways are tight at Merrill Hills and DeKeuster hit mostly his 3-wood and 2-iron off the tee.

"I had plenty of shots at the green," said DeKeuster, who hadn't played at Merrill Hills before and was coming off three rounds at the Racine Tri-Course before the State Am. "I sometimes would reach for the driver and my caddy (Tylre Butler) would take it out of my hands.

"I played it smart and stuck to the game plan."

Pat Boyle of South Milwaukee, another Meadowbrook member, shot 76 and tied for fifth at 292. Todd Schaap of Kenosha, an Ives Grove Golf Links player, shot 75 and tied for 11th at 295. Joe O'Brien (Racine Country Club) had a 78 and tied for 32nd at 301 and Mike Hilton of Muskego (Rivermoor Golf Club) shot 82 and tied for 52nd at 309.

Elsen, of the Kenosha Country Club, shot an 80 in the final round and finished fourth at 291.

Obermueller was the second River Falls Golf Club player to win the State Am. Travis Meyer won the title in 2007.