By PETE DAVIS
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – The standings are really starting to tighten up for the Ocean City Senior Golf Thursday League A Flight and we have a new leader, Rick Schultz, in B Flight.
The very wet conditions at Harbor Pines were evidence of the recently passed heavy storm overnight Tuesday. Carts were limited to crossing fairways at only 90 degrees. However, as we experienced a few weeks ago, wet conditions prove favorable for birdies and lots of them. Eight holes surrendered 15 birdies all told, including 4 on the difficult par 5 10th! Let’s review the weekly highlights.
League low handicap (9) John Blady went out against Jim Soukup and conceded 11 strokes. John was undeterred as he shot a sparkling gross of 78 scoring 39 on each side. He accumulated nine pars and a birdie on the sixth hole. In the stretch from the 10th-15th holes he played in one over. Jim played a decent round but couldn’t overcome John’s consistency. 4 points to John as he climbs the leaderboard.
The match of the day featured Frank Mancini vs. Phil Gaffney. They made the turn separated by only two strokes which was whittled to one stroke by the end of 18. Frank 84, Phil 85. The handicap strokes were critical as Phil received four and scored a net 65 to eke by Frank’s net 68. Worth noting: in match play Phil made great use of his strokes as he picked up three wins with his handicap. Frank won the 18th hole to even match play and claim 1 point. 3 points to Phil.
Another highly anticipated match was Pete McInerney (19) vs. Drew Klein (20). Pete had a healthy lead at the turn based on playing holes four through nine in only one over par. Drew had his own run of fine play on holes seven through 12, which he played in even par. Pete closed with a net 67, while Drew closed with a net 69. Match play holes halved six for each player. Couldn’t have been closer with 3 points to Pete, 1 point to Drew.
Trusted sources related that Bob Pierce (18) was very excited with his pairing against Ron Gibson (26). In fact, he was hoping for it, in anticipation of a victory. These old friends have tangled many times in the past but Ron’s handicap has slipped up a bit recently. Bob got much more than he bargained for as Ron virtually matched him stroke for stroke across the front nine. At the turn Ron was up in match play six holes to two, and led by a stroke. Bob’s rally on the back nine was not enough to turn the tide. Despite birdies on the second and 10th holes, Bob conceded 4 points to Ron, who made great use of his handicap strokes.
Jack Mahon (22) took on Jay Ammon (20) in a tight contest. This matchup featured blood on 13 holes, three birdies (Mahon on the first and 15th, Ammon on the 10th), and both players posting net scores in the 60s. Jack claimed 4 points on the basis of his net 63, along with 8 wins in the match play. Jay played very well but lost another tough one this week.
Two more old friends faced off: Joe Dempsey (20) and Bill Clarke (25). Joe ran up a lead on the front nine and never took his foot off the gas. Bill ended with a net 69 and a birdie on the 15th, while Joe finished up with a net 63 and a birdie on the 10th. A closer look reveals the match really turned on Bill’s not able to get off the bogey train, as he had 11 of them. A few more par putts for Bill and this match could have been pretty tight. 4 points to Joe.
Other A Flight point-earners were Glenn Giveans 1 (in a match of cards), Paul Sullivan (4), Mike Bogdash (4), and Ron Venturi (4). Worth noting: Ron Venturi with a net 64.
Over in B Flight points leader Mike Janel (28) faced off against his closest competitor Rick Schultz (31). Rick has been on a hot streak accumulating points in seven of our past eight weeks. Rick got off to a strong start winning holes 2, 3, 5 and 6 and posting a gross score of 48. Mike was chasing thereafter and as both players played the homeward nine virtually even, it was impossible for Mike to gain back any ground. 4 points to Rick (net 66) as he takes over the points lead in B Flight.
Another hot player of late is Tony D’Ottavio. Tony (29) went up against Dom Scalfaro (30). Tony got off to the better start but Dom swept holes 3,4 (birdie) and 5 to move ahead. Tony moved back ahead by winning holes 7 and 8 cleanly. Tony parred 10 and 11 to really pull away. Tony finished with a net 67 and match play margin of 8 holes to 4, to claim 4 points.
Other B flight players earning points were: John Rutter (4), Bob England (4), and Brian Lefke (1).
OFFICIAL STANDINGS
A FLIGHT POINTS
Glenn Giveans 27
Pete McInerne 24
Paul Sullivan 24
Mike Bogdash 24
Frank Mancini 23
B FLIGHT
Rick Schultz 27
Mike Janel 24
Mike Coffman 20
Tom Gahr 19
Dom Scalfaro 17