The CMGC made what may be its last trip to Tree Links for the 2006 Challenge. This hilly, poison ivy lined course near Bellefontaine has hosted the past five Challenge tournaments. Despite the hazards, Steve Hawley kept it between trees and won the event with a strong 82 for a net one under just one stroke ahead of Scott Basinger who also shot net 72 (Steve won on regression by parring 18). Ed Hawley finished at the back of the pack, but shaved 42 strokes off his last appearance in the Challenge.
The round had a few highlights outside the tight Steve-Scott race. Jeff McCorkle holed a wedge on seven for eagle. Scott Kern broke a five iron hitting out from under a tree on eight. Well, there were only two other highlights. Tree Links still didn't have any water. The water at the club trailer was too saturated with iron sulfide and barely potable. The concensus is not to return for the 2007 Challenge. The drive gets longer every year, there is still no water on the course, the sand traps sucked and the price isn't cheap anymore at $32.50. The value just isn't there. Sorry Dr. Costin.