The first Challenge Tournament of 2015 was held Monday at Falcon Ridge Golf Course. 21 teams competed to try their best to beat the course and each other.

An amazing 2.04 strokes separated the top five teams, giving them the closest finish in tournament history.

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Top prize winners at Monday’s Challenge Tournament for the GAS Club were Ray Sweat, left, and his partner Steward Jones on the right. Submitted photo.

Ray Sweat and his partner, Stewart Jones, finished with a 61.24 net, exactly one stroke over Marty Conway and Jim Buttler with their 62.24 net. Third place was John Meyer and Aaron Kennard with a 62.32 net and fourth place finishers Roy Linde and Rich Duester had a net of 62.76. David Wargacki and John Lipani wrapped up the final prize monies with a fifth place finish of 63.28 net.

“I’m sure that all teams could look back and see where they could have saved a stroke or two,” said Buttler. “I know Marty and I would like a chance to walk off of hole #17 without a three-putt!”

The three different formats at six holes each kept the players on their toes and thinking while having fun.

There were winners on all five of the par three holes: Meyer on hole #2, John Stahl on hole #5, Scott Jones on hole #8, Conway on #14 and Andrew Yeh on hole #17.

Brian Wursten and his club house staff at Falcon Ridge treated all the players with VIP services and supplied a Mexican food buffet after their battles on the course.

The next Challenge Tournament will be near the end of March. Watch the golf news in the Mesquite Local News for more details in the near future.