PLATTEVILLE — Platteville’s Jesse Udelhofen had it all working during the Wednesday men’s golf league at the Platteville Golf & Country Club two weeks ago.
Playing the back nine from the white tees with league partner Jason Clifton and opponents Corey Moran and Steve Schroeder, Udelhofen had an eagle, six birdies, one par and a bogey en route to a record-setting round of 7-under-par 27 on July 22.
The previous nine-hole record at the Platteville Golf & Country Club was a 28 shot by Josh Udelhofen, Jesse’s younger brother, on the par 34 back nine. Udelhofen’s father Rob Udelhofen and Dick McKichan share the front nine record of 30.
The original course front nine was opened in 1921. The back nine was added in 1985–86.
Udelhofen’s previous nine-hole best was a 31 on the back nine at Platteville. His 18-hole PR is 67 shot three years ago, also at Platteville.
“I guess it was a pretty good day,” joked Udelhofen. “I made a lot of good putts and chipped a couple in. I didn’t miss any fairways and I was hitting every green in regulation which always helps.”
Udelhofen’s day began with a chip-in birdie on the 10th hole, but after a par on 11 and a bogey on the par 3, 186-yard 12th hole he was at even par through three holes, hardly a record-breaking pace.
“After a the bogey I was at even going into my last six holes,” said Udelhofen. “At that point, I didn’t really know what kind of day I was going to have.”
But the 2009 graduate of Platteville High School caught fire on the 13th hole. He recorded four straight birdies to go to 4-under par with two holes left to play.
His shot of the round came on the 17th. After overdriving the green on the 330-yard, par 4, Udelhofen holed out from the sand trap for an eagle two.
Needing just a par to grab a share of the course record, Udelhofen played it safe on the par 4, 363-yard 18th.
“I just drove for the center of the green, since I already had a share of the record with a par,” said Udelhofen. “But my second shot roled within a few inches of the hole and I almost had another eagle.”
As it was, he tapped in for his sixth birdie of the round and a new nine-hole course record.
Udelhofen, 26, was a three-year WIAA state qualifier and a two-time conference Player of the Year as a prep at Platteville High School.
Today, the married, father of two works at Montcheve cheese factory in Belmont, but still finds time to golf four or five times a week.
He plays in Platteville’s Tuesday Hookers league with his uncle Steve Udelhofen, as well as the Wednesday men’s league with friend Jason Clifton. He won the league championship in both leagues a year ago.
Udelhofen is the son of Rob and Ann Udelhofen. Rob has been the grounds superintendent at the Platteville Golf & Country Club for 27 years.
Jesse literally grew up living and golfing at Platteville Golf & Country Club with his brother Josh.
