By BEN FONG/For the Sentinel
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Summer heat and humidity provided an added challenge during Week 13 of the Thursday Ocean City Senior Golf League season at Harbor Pines Golf Club.
Even under difficult conditions, league members continued to produce outstanding golf as the race for playoff positions entered its final stretch.
In A Flight competition, Phil Gaffney turned in one of the day’s best rounds Aug. 6, posting an impressive net 70 against Ben Fong’s net 80. Gaffney controlled match play from the opening holes, cruising to a 10-3 victory to earn all 4 available points.
Jim Shippen continued his strong second half of the season with a net 72 matching cards against Mike Bogdash’s 78. Shippen held off a late charge to claim match play 7-6 and complete a 4-point sweep.
One of the week’s closest contests featured Garth Moyle and Jim Hoagland. Hoagland recorded the lower net score with a 69 to Moyle’s 72, but Moyle answered by narrowly winning match play 7-6. The split result earned each golfer 2 points.
Bob Pierce strengthened his playoff position with another convincing performance. Pierce carded a net 74 against John Blady’s 83 before winning match play 9-4 to collect all 4 points.
Ron Venturi continued his recent surge by edging Frank Mancini in a closely contested match. Venturi’s net 71 narrowly topped Mancini’s 72, and he added a 6-4 match play victory to sweep all 4 points.
Pete McInerney completed the A Flight action with a hard-fought victory over Mike Bogdash. McInerney’s net 76 bettered Bogdash’s 78, and Pete captured match play 7-6 to earn all 4 points.
B Flight competition featured another impressive performance from Joe Sheridan, who fired the low round of the division with an outstanding net 63. Sheridan earned all 4 points after his opponent, Larry Zucker, was forced to withdraw because of the day’s extreme heat and humidity.
Tom Gahr continued his excellent season by posting a net 71 against Mike Janel’s 75. Gahr controlled match play 8-5 to sweep all 4 points.
Dominic Scalfaro and Sam Malandra split one of the day’s most competitive matches. Malandra earned the stroke play points with a net 70 to Scalfaro’s 74, while Scalfaro answered with a narrow 8-7 match play victory. Each golfer finished with 2 points.
Rick Schultz matched cards against Dominic Scalfaro. Scalfaro’s net 74 edged Schultz’s 75, while the players tied in match play. Schultz earned 1 point from the match.
Tom Szkaradnik and Jeff Mitchell staged another close contest matching cards. Szkaradnik’s net 75 narrowly defeated Mitchell’s 76, and Tom followed with a 6-5 match play victory. The split results earned 2 points apiece.
Tom Visco rounded out the week with a solid performance, posting a net 74 against Tony D’Ottavio’s 78. Visco added a 7-5 match play victory to sweep all 4 points.
The day’s highlights included birdies from Rick Schultz on Hole 7, Jim Hoagland on Hole 15, and Frank Mancini, who continued his excellent shot-making with birdies on Holes 7 and 10.
With only a few weeks remaining before the playoffs, the standings in both flights continue to tighten. Strong performances from longtime contenders and newcomers alike have kept the championship races wide open, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the regular season. As the pressure mounts, every stroke and every point will become increasingly important in the quest to earn a place in the league’s postseason.
Golfers interested in joining the league may contact Al Malatesta (malatesta9088@gmail.com), John Blady (john@swimusa.com), or Ben Fong (ben.fongmeister@gmail.com) for additional information.