Mulder wins Greater Cedar Rapids Open

By Ryan Pleggenkuhle, The Gazette

MARION - Former Waterloo West standout Brock Mulder accomplished two great career feats in winning this weekend's Greater Cedar Rapids Open.

Not only did Mulder collect the first-prize check of $20,000, but he also set an 18-hole course record at Hunters Ridge Golf Course on Friday with his first-round 11-under-par 61.

“It feels really good,” said Mulder. “Gosh, the last time I won a tournament was probably three years ago.”

Mulder shot a 4-under 68 on Sunday to go along with his record setting round Friday to finish at 15-under, 129. He won by four shots over Chris Thompson and Tom Bliefnick in the event, shortened to 36 holes due to rain.

“It was a smart two days,” Mulder said. “Most of the time the driver is the best club in my bag. It wasn't very good this week. So I had to use hybrids and irons off the tees just to put the ball in the fat part of the fairway.”

Mulder admitted he really wasn't a big fan of playing Hunters Ridge coming in to the tournament.

“The back nine is really tough,” he said. “If you mishit a shot, you're going to bogey or double,” he said. “And I got away with a couple of mishits today.”

The weather was not kind to this year's GCRO field. There was a rain delay each day, forcing the reduction to 36 holes. With the shortened tournament, Mulder had a free day Saturday after finishing his first round Friday.

“The range wasn't open and the course wasn't open until late. So I spent the day with some buddies swimming...,” Mulder said. “I tried to get loose that way. I didn't hit a golf ball at all yesterday.”

He added that the swimming helped him take his mind off things. And there wasn't much talk about the tournament between Mulder and his friends.

“But when I woke up this morning, it was go time,” he said.

While the day off has relaxing for Mulder, he said the rain delay did test his patience.

“After I finished eight and nine this morning, there was a two-group wait on hole 10,” Mulder said. “It seemed like whenever we got momentum going, we had a 15-minute wait.”

Mulder said prize money will allow him to play in tournaments for the rest of the year. He said the money was “much needed.”

“My guilty pleasure is playing golf. That's what my money goes towards,” Mulder said.

Mulder's next event will be the Southwest Kansas Pro-Am in a couple weeks. He plans to take a little time off at home in Waterloo and visit with family until then.

Greg Sweatt of Irmo, S.C. won the senior division with a 6-under 138. Nate Dunn of Hiawatha won the amateur division with an even-par, 144.