By PETE DAVIS
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – The big news on June 20 was a rare 7:30 a.m. shotgun start for the Ocean City Senior Thursday League golfers. The morning was beautiful and we played the first nine holes with abundant breezes and shade cover before the sun lifted higher.
Our thanks to the Harbor Pines Staff inside and outside for keeping the start organized. Thirty-two players traversed the links in just over four hours. A previous shotgun start in August of ’23 propelled the group to a “birdie-fest.” Birdies were much harder to come by this week perhaps influenced by the pressure from the return of a “Skins game.”
There was an overall tightening in the points race for A and B flight this week as the current leaders did not make much of a move forward.
The highlight match from B Flight had both players scoring well below the 100 mark. In that duel between two very competitive players, Garth Moyle overcame Mike Coffman with a fine score of 91 while holding a match play edge of eight holes to four. Mike didn’t have his best day off the tee. Garth was helped by a birdie on the par 4 14th hole. 4 points to Garth.
Three matches in B Flight were very tight and ended up with gross scores separated by only three strokes. John Rutter returned to action this week against Mike Collins. The front nine was virtually a deadlock but the separation in strokes and match play occurred on the back nine. Success on the 16th through 18th holes usually correlates with a successful outcome. Such was the case for Mike as he won the 16th and 17th hole and secured the win for 4 points. In the Rick Schultz-Dom Scalfaro match, both players were tied at the turn. Their contest turned on Rick’s ability to play steadily and avoid the big number. 3 points to Rick and 1 point to Dom for halving the match play. Bob England bested Joe Sheridan in their match in a similar fashion. What was different was Bob’s advantage in match play as he captured nine holes to Joe’s three. 4 points to Bob.
Four very tight matches also were played over in the A Flight. Phil Gaffney tangled with Joe Dempsey with both players have identical handicaps. Phil won the back by a stroke while Joe won the front by a stroke. Phil managed to win six match play holes to Joe’s five. 3 points to Phil, despite a birdie by Joe on the 15th.
Jim Hoagland and Ben Fong were another match with equal handicaps. Both played very steadily but after 18 holes, Jim prevailed by one shot. Match play was tied six holes apiece. Each had a birdie: Jim on the 4th and Ben on the 14th. Couldn’t be any closer. 3 points to Jim, 1 point to Ben.
Jim Soukup versus Jay Ammon again pitted equal handicap players. Jay won the front by five strokes but Jim won the back by four. Match play holes were even at seven apiece. Another match that couldn’t be any closer. 3 points to Jay with 1 going to Jim.
Pete McInerney outplayed the favored Glenn Giveans in their match by three strokes. Pete handled the match play six holes to four. Both players birdied the par 3 11th hole. The handicap strokes were unnecessary as Pete shot a gross 91 compared to Glenn’s 94. Pete claims 4 points.
Other point winners Thursday were Frank Mancini (4), Pete Davis (4), Drew Klein (4), Tony D’Ottavio (4), Bill Clarke (4), Mike Bogdash (4), John Blady (4), Tom Gahr (4), and Tom Szkaradnik (4).
The Skins game produced some very interesting results. Eight birdies were recorded for the day across only four holes. Only one of those birdies earned a skin: Hoagland’s birdie on the 4th hole. We usually see birdies on the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, or 12th hole. The fourth hole is not a typical birdie hole due to the green’s treacherous undulations. Nice work by Jim. A pair of pars secured the other two skins: the long (number 3 handicap) par four 5th by Joe Dempsey and the intimidating (number 2 handicap) par four 17th by Bill Clarke.
If you would like information on joining our League please contact Chuck Barry, membership director at cbarrysr@yahoo.com or League Director Al Malatesta at malatesta9088@gmail.com.
UNOFFICIAL STANDINGS
A FLIGHT POINTS
Glenn Giveans 18
Pete McInerney 17
Paul Sullivan 16
Guy Hackney 15
Frank Mancini 15
Drew Klein 15
Phil Gaffney 15
B FLIGHT
Mike Janel 20
Mike Coffman 16
Rick Schultz 15
Tom Gahr 15
Joe Sheridan 14
Dom Scalfaro 12
Garth Moyle 12
