By THE HANDICAPPER V
OCEAN CITY – In keeping with our tradition, many of our Brambley Golf League golfers donned their best patriotic colors to celebrate our nation’s birthday during the recent Fourth of July holiday.
The players’ colorful outfits and scorer’s table decorations combined to serve as an opportune backdrop for the celebration. Many photos were taken to commemorate the event. Social Director Jeanne Robinson led the festivities with her ensemble of hats, medallions and necklaces.
The activities helped distract the players from the previous night’s weather which had wreaked havoc with the course. The rain had come down in a deluge leaving a very wet course. But, as usual, head groundskeeper Mike Lehman came to our rescue making the course playable.
Although the scores were a bit higher than usual, Tom Bowman mastered the challenges to shoot an impressive score of 43 to claim the Low Gross winner title for the week. His round featured one birdie and six pars; a remarkable performance for a first-time title winner. Tom’s consistent play this season suggests more victories are in his future. Dan White, a first-year player in the league, secured the Flight B Low Gross title with a solid score of 49. His presence is already shaking up the competition. Jo Ann Bonanni continued her winning ways, shooting a 47 and edging out Kathy Banco by one stroke to win the Ladies Low Gross title. For the second week in a row, Jean Bush won the Senior Division Low Gross title, with a season-best round of 46.
Fred Marcell and Chet Czerpak had solid rounds this week to tie for the Low Net Flight A title with a net score of 36. Adding to the new players winning, Jim Downam shot eight strokes under his handicap to win the Flight B Low Net award with a net score of 29. Robert Praetorius and Derek Rearden shared second place honors with a net score of 36. In the Ladies Division, Kathy Banco had her best round of the season, shooting five strokes under her handicap to secure the Ladies Low Net title. Playing partners Beth Markoe and Mary Beth Quinlan tied for second place Ladies Low Net with a score of 36. Warren Hughes won the Senior Low Net Title with a net score of 35. Jim McElderry and Joe Tripoli were close behind, tying for 2nd place with a net score of 36. Jim Downam also secured the Closest to the Pin Title with his tee shot landing 28 feet 4 inches from the pin on No. 12. Golfers with birdies included JoAnn Bonanni, Tom Bowman, Jean Bush, Jim Downam, and Rich Hawthorne. Elaine Rearden had a chip-in birdie on the third hole, adding excitement to the round. Members shooting in the 40 this week included Tom Bowman, Jean Bush, Dave Carter, JoAnn Bonanni, Mark Franks, John McVerry, Kathy Banco, Carmen Bonanni, Chet Czerpak, Rich Hawthorne, Fred Marcell, Mike Toscano and Dan White.
The Brambley Golf League is now in mid-season form with 42 golfers participating this week putting us at nearly full capacity. Mike Toscano and Dawn Bobay returned to the fold and were able to complete their first round of the year. Welcome back! Kathy Banco’s cousin, Kim Murray, joined us as a guest player and added to the festivities. We will continue with league play every Monday morning at the Ocean City Municipal Golf Course.
At top, it was Red, White and Blue Day at Brambley Golf: Social Director Jeanne Robinson (seated) with members, from left, Kim Murray, Cathy Rappoport, Mary Beth Quinlan, Kathy Banco and Beth Markoe.