By THE HANDICAPPER V
OCEAN CITY – Low scores were in order last week at the Brambley Golf League. Rich Hawthorne found his way back in the money after a week off, shooting a 42 to capture the overall Low Gross title.
Tom Bowman and John McVerry, demonstrating their consistent play this season, were right behind Hawthorne, both shooting a 43 and finishing just one stroke behind. For the second week in a row, Bruce Johns secured the Flight B Low Gross title. This week, though, he did not have to share the title, shooting his best round of the season, a 45, to outpace his competition.
Dawn Bobay shot a personal best round of 47 to emerge as the Ladies Low Gross winner, narrowly beating JoAnn Bonanni by one stroke. Dawn has been consistently near the top of the Ladies Division and her hard work paid off. Jean Bush shot a 48 this week to secure the Senior Division Low Gross title. The Senior Division was hotly contested this week as six golfers finished within 3 strokes of the winner.
The competition was very intense in the Low Net categories. Twenty-six golfers shot better than their established handicaps this week which is quite an anomaly. Low net is your total or gross score minus your handicap. Handicaps allow golfers to compete against themselves in an effort to improve their scores. Frank Coppenbarger certainly demonstrated this as he had an outstanding round this week, shooting 4 strokes under his handicap to win the Low Net Flight A title with a net score of 33. In addition, Tom Bowman had a net score of 34 to secure the second-place Low Net A award. John McVerry and Carmine Bonanni tied for third-place Low Net with a net score of 35. John and Carmine have been two of the most consistent players in the league this year, normally shooting within a stroke or two of their handicaps. Joe Landi shot his best round of the season to finish tied with Derek Rearden for the Flight B Low Net Award, both with a net score of 34. Jim Downam and Bill Gardner finished with a net score of 35 to tie for third-place Low Net B honors.
In the Ladies Division, Jane Williams was on fire, shooting a 52, 5 strokes under her handicap to secure the Ladies Low Net title. Jane started off a little slower this year but has picked up her game in the past few weeks. Mary Beth Quinlan continued her winning ways, shooting a net score of 33 to win the Ladies Low Net Second Place title. Right behind Mary Beth was her playing partner Cathie Rappoport, who had a net score of 35 to take third-place Low Net honors. Playing partners Arlene Gotschall and Elaine Rearden shared the Senior Low Net title this week with a net score of 33. Arlene had her best round of the season, and Elaine tied her lowest round of the season. Walt Thompson and Jim McElderry both had solid rounds this week to tie for third-place Low Net in the Senior Division with a net score of 36. Jeff Mitchell secured the Closest to the Pin Title with his tee shot landing 10’8” from the pin on hole 12.
Rich Hawthorne had two birdies this week. Golfers carding single birdies included Arlene Gottschall, Bruce Johns, John Petrycki, Elaine Rearden, and Walt Thompson.
Eighteen golfers shot in the 40 this week, including Rich Hawthorne (42), Tom Bowman (43), John McVerry (43), Mark Franks (44), Frank Coppenbarger (45), Bruce Johns (45), Joe Karwowski (45), Carmine Bonanni (46), Mike Toscano (46), Dawn Bobay (47), Dave Carter (47), Fred Marcell (47), JoAnn Bonanni (48), Jean Bush (48), Chet Czerpak (48), Bill Gardner (48), John Master (48), and Walt Thompson (49).
