By PETE DAVIS
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – May 30 was an outstanding weather day for golf and most of the play from the Ocean City Thursday Senior League golfers was outstanding as well. A review of the day’s results leads to a focus on several matches from A Flight and two from B Flight.
The first match was Ben Fong versus Glenn Givens. At the turn Glenn was up by one stroke but Ben was up in match play by two holes. Starting with the 10th hole Glenn played the next six holes in even par: four pars, one birdie (the 11th) and one bogey. Glenn finished the back nine with a sparkling 39 and claimed six more match play holes. Four points to Givens and perhaps the low back nine score this season. I will have the interns research that for accuracy.
Paul Sullivan and Harry O’Neill also played an exciting match. After nine holes Paul led by two holes and three strokes. On the back nine Harry stuck right with Paul as they halved six consecutive holes (10th through 15th) as he fought to catch up. On the 16th Harry finally broke through with a win, leaving himself only one hole behind. Paul, however, steadied himself and won the 17th to close it out. Paul also secured the low net in stroke play to earn four points on the day.
The Jay Ammon versus Pete McInerny match showcased two players with equal handicaps. They made the turn dead even tied at 45 strokes. Pete was up in match play four holes to three.
On the back side they traded holes until Jay parred the 18th, which halved the match play competition. Jay bettered Pete by four strokes, 44 to 48, so Jay won the medal play points. Match outcome: Jay three points, Pete one point.
A very competitive match was played between Frank Mancini and Bob Quinn. Frank went out
In 40 strokes but Bob was right with him at 41. Bob had an excellent score of 40 on the back nine and Frank had a 43. Bob ended with a gross 81 versus an 83 for Frank. As Frank received one handicap shot Bob was able to secure the victory by one stroke. On the match play side Bob was down early and made quite a run late but it wasn’t quite enough to overcome Frank so the final outcome was a halved match, two points to each player.
The prior week Ron Venturi was chasing his opponent all day but ended up just short. Last week Ron raced ahead of Jim Hoagland but then he found himself feeling the pressure of his opponent’s comeback effort. Jim shook off a few poor drives and found his form on the 13th hole from which he won four straight holes. Ron, however, secured his win with a beautiful up and down for a par save from behind the 18th green to a flag cut in the back hole position. What a chip shot! Ron was comfortably ahead in strokes so he scored four points for the match.
Other A Flight winners included Bob Clark, who was in a tight match with Mike Coffman until the 18th hole and Joe Dempsey who bested long -time friend and rival Bob Pierce. Ron Gibson won four points on a match of cards and Mike Dumsha also won two points in a match of cards.
Birdies this week: Mancini (5th), Quinn (10th), Clark (3rd), Hoagland (8th), Givens (11th), Dempsey (7th).
Over in B Flight, Mike Janel found his winning ways again with a one stroke victory over Paul Frederic. Mike also prevailed in match play so he secured four points and now sits atop the B Flight standings. Dominic Scalfaro topped Mike Collins in their match by virtue of a strong par finish on the tough 17th and 18th holes. That finish provided just enough margin to overcome Mike in both match play and stroke play. Rick Shultz overcame Joe Sheridan in their match with a strong back nine score of 46. Rick was down as late as the 12th hole but he managed to turn the tables on Joe, by winning holes 13 through 16 in match play. Rick secured four points.
New members Mike Bogdash, Phil Gaffney and Jim Guidotti have been placed in A Flight while Brian Lefke has entered the B Flight. Expect more reporting on these new members in the weeks to come.
Unofficial Standings after 4 weeks:
A Flight Points
Glenn Givens 14
Paul Sullivan 14
Pete McInerney 9
Bob Pierce 8
Guy Hackney 8
Mike Coffman 8
B Flight
Mike Janel 12
Dominic Scalfaro 9
Joe Sheridan 7