By BEN FONG/For the Sentinel
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — Week 6 of the Thursday Ocean City Senior Golf League season delivered some of the best scoring of the year so far, with multiple golfers firing rounds in the mid-60s as competition continued to intensify at Harbor Pines Golf Club.
In A Flight action, Ben Fong earned a measure of redemption in a rematch against Jim Shippen after being forced to forfeit their Week 4 meeting due to illness. Fong posted a solid net 71 against Shippen’s 75 and secured an 8-5 match play victory to sweep all 4 points.
Bob Pierce continued his strong season by edging Pete McInerney in one of the week’s top matchups. Pierce carded a net 70 against McInerney’s 72 and added a 6-2 match play victory to earn all 4 points.
One of the most impressive pairings of the day featured Frank Mancini and Mike Smith, who both turned in matching net 65s — among the lowest rounds recorded this season. Neither golfer could gain an advantage in match play, resulting in a split with 2 points apiece. Ben Fong shot a net 65 last week. (See story online with Week 5 results at ocnjsentinel.com.)
Garth Moyle also enjoyed a standout round, firing a net 69 against Mike Bogdash’s 79. Moyle controlled match play 9-3 to collect all 4 points.
John Blady matched Mancini and Smith for low round honors in A Flight with an excellent net 65 against Joe Dempsey’s 73. Blady dominated match play 8-2 to sweep all 4 points.
Phil Gaffney rounded out A Flight play with a net 75 against Dave Farrell’s 78. Gaffney captured match play 8-6 to earn all 4 available points.
In B Flight competition, Rick Schultz and Glenn Levin battled to one of the closest contests of the season. Both golfers posted matching net 66s and finished even in match play, earning 2 points each.
Tom Visco welcomed newcomer Sam Malandra to league play and earned a 4-point victory with a net 71 against Malandra’s 74, while also winning match play 9-7.
Tom Gahr continued his steady play with a narrow victory over Tom Szkaradnik. Gahr’s net 72 edged Szkaradnik’s 73, and Gahr added an 8-6 match play win to collect all 4 points.
Joe Sheridan stayed hot in B Flight competition, shooting a net 72 against Mike Coffman’s 77. Sheridan controlled match play 9-6 to earn all 4 points.
Dominic Scalfaro delivered one of the strongest B Flight performances of the season, posting a net 67 against Paul Frederic’s 80 and winning match play decisively 10-3 to sweep all 4 points.
Tony D’Ottavio also earned a dominant victory, carding a net 72 against Mike Janel’s 82 while taking match play 10-3 for all 4 points.
Among the newcomers, Jim Guidotti impressed with a gross score of 85, while Larry Zucker was unfortunately unable to complete his round after nine holes.
The day also featured an impressive collection of birdies across the course. Ben Fong birdied Hole 4, Frank Mancini recorded birdies on Holes 1 and 16, John Blady birdied Holes 12 and 13, and newcomer Jim Guidotti added birdies on Holes 2 and 18 to cap an impressive debut performance.
As the season moves beyond its opening stretch, both A and B Flights are beginning to showcase a deep field of contenders, with low scores and tightly contested match play battles becoming a weekly tradition at Harbor Pines.
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.