The 2nd annual APBA TOUR BATTLE ended in surprising fashion with 8th-seeded Chris Gotterup (2025) defeating no. 1-seed Nelly Korda (2025) at Jersey Pines (Pine Valley).
APBA Tour Battle II proved to be a classic with most matches going the full 18 and several going extra holes. Cameron Young played 3 matches, all going to sudden death but lost his third sudden death playoff in the semifinals, to Chris Gotterup.
Here is the completed tournament bracket. (Last year’s tournament results are shown here.)
Prior to Nelly and Chris teeing it up for the Finals at Jersey Pines, I stated that Nelly was a 2 to 1 favorite to win. This was based solely on her legendary 2025 season card that stacks up as one of the greatest of all time. However, the Game Caddie dice roller had other plans. Nelly overcame the bad dice rolls early in the round to claw back on the back nine and even the match only to fall behind for good on 16.
Scott’s analysis of the round highlights the moments that made the difference in this match. Gotterup’s win (1 UP) can be attributed to his incredible ability to put long approach shots on multiple holes close to the pin and better accuracy off the tee.
The livestreamed match showcased the genius of the APBA game design. Course management, combined with some randomness of dice rolls, makes this game so enjoyable. Factors such as variable winds, odd lies, tree bounces, fairway and green conditions and contours, and the golfers’ historic ability to build from momentum, bounce back from setbacks, scramble out of challenging rough lies, and perform in clutch situations all contribute to what makes this game so enjoyable.
We play three featured match-play tournaments each year: APBA Madness, APBA TOUR BATTLE, and APBA North Pole Classic. I’m excited to announce another concept, APBA Skins Game! Modeled after the televised Skins Games of the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000’s, played around Thanksgiving time, four APBA All-Time Great golfers will play an 18-hole Skins match at one of APBA Golf’s iconic courses in late November. Stay tuned for more information about the event, the hole prizes, and how you may be able to participate!