EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Thirty-six members of the Ocean City Thursday Senior Golf League made their way around Harbor Pines on June 13 as the season reached one-third completion.
Golf Director Al Malatesta will be recalculating handicaps and we expect to see some shuffling of players between the A and B flights. The big question is, “Will the early season leaders maintain their pace as we hit the hotter weather?” A review of this week’s action finds three A Flight players poised to make a run.
Frank Mancini fired the low gross score for the day with a sparkling 79. Frank made the turn in 40 while bagging birdies on the par four fourth hole and the par five seventh hole. He came home even lower with a 39 and birdie on the par four 12th. Frank drove the 12th hole but just lipped out his eagle putt. His stellar play was too much for opponent Jay Ammon, who has played in some very tough matches so far this season. Four points to Frank.
Pete McInerney shot a very tidy gross 83 while scoring a birdie on the very tough par four 17th hole. That was the icing on the cake as he took down the favored Bob Quinn. Bob’s slow start cost him as Pete never gave him an opening all day. Pete’s only real blemish was a double on the 16th. Four points to Pete. New member Phil Gaffney is obviously settling into league action. He swept four points for the third week in a row. Phil made it look easy, especially on the back nine as he came in with a 40, buoyed by birdies on the 10th and 12th holes. On the 10th his third shot from the fairway bunker by the lake settled down six feet from the cup. What a shot! He rolled in his birdie and then he kept on rolling all afternoon. Three birdies for the day as he also canned a long uphill putt on the sixth. Four points for Phil.
Jack Mahon returned Thursday and he was in a nail-biter of a match with Paul Sullivan. Their gross scores ended up separated by one stroke, 96-97. Paul, however, received three handicap shots to take the stroke play while Jack won the match play 9-7. On the 18th tee Paul had a chance to tie the match play competition but Jack held him off. Two points for each.
Guy Hackney and Joe Dempsey, both 23 handicaps, tangled in a very tight match. Guy had the advantage at the turn primarily due to parring holes four to six. On the back nine Joe made a charge winning four straight holes, 12-15, and took the lead. Guy tied the match play with a beautiful par on the 17th hole. With Guy recording a gross of 89 and Joe a gross of 90 the stroke play was settled by one shot. Three points awarded to Guy.
Another close match ended with a two-shot differential in the gross score. Tony D’Ottavio faced off against Mike Bogdash. Mike had the advantage (4-3) at the turn with very steady play while Tony had a blip on the sixth hole. After dropping the 10th hole to Mike with a double bogey, Tony went on a tear winning five holes on the back nine. That tear brought him in with a gross 95 while Mike scored a 93. The handicap difference was three so Tony squeaked by with a net 66 to Mike’s net 68. Four points to Tony.
Other A Flight point winners were Glenn Giveans (4), Drew Klein (4), Mike Coffman (4), Garth Moyle (4), Jim Hoagland (3), Jim Soukup (2) and Bob Pierce (1).
B Flight was once again led by Mike Janel. Mike won his fifth straight match and sits atop the division with 20 points. Mike outlasted Joe Mc Dermott on the back nine to secure his victory. Rick Schultz collected four points from Mike Collins while Brian Lefke took four from Tom Szkaradnik. Brian had a birdie on the 12th. Joe Sheridan outlasted Paul Frederic in their match of even handicappers by one stroke, thanks to his play on the front nine. Dom Scalfaro and Tom Gahr halved their match in another contest settled by one handicap stroke.
We have three more new members in the pipeline’ as they finish establishing their handicaps.
Russ Forest posted birdies on the third and seventh holes while Greg Ferrari scored his on the 11th. We look forward to welcoming them to regular play shortly. 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.
ADJUSTED STANDINGS
A FLIGHT POINTS
Glenn Giveans 18
Paul Sullivan 16
Guy Hackney 15
Pete McInerney 13
Bob Pierce 13
Joe Dempsey 12
Phil Gaffney 12
B FLIGHT
Mike Janel 20
Mike Coffman 16
Joe Sheridan 14
Rick Schultz 12
Dom Scalfaro 11
Tom Gahr 11
– By PETE DAVIS/For the Sentinel