By PETE DAVIS
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Last Thursday brought us a 75-degree morning with a wet golf course, a rainy forecast and a reduced field for the Ocean City Thursday Senior Golf League’s Christmas in July. While those conditions put somewhat of a damper on our play, most of our hardy golfers made it back to The Roost before the skies opened up with a deluge.
Wouldn’t you know our tightest match of the day was provided by a true blood battle as brothers Tom and Joe Szkaradnik faced off in B flight. Tom (36) led Joe (35) at the turn by 4 shots only to see his lead nearly erased on the back as Joe parred 11, 12 and 14 to finish with a net 68. Tom held on for a net 66 and held a one-hole margin in match play so 4 points in this fraternal struggle goes to Tom.
Jeff Mitchell (28) recently returned to the league and he went up against Mike Coffman (27). Jeff was able to cover the front nine in 47 and also take a 4-hole lead in match play due to bogeys on the first, second and fourth holes. Mike and Jeff matched each other across the back nine so Jeff’s early lead held up for the day. 4 points to Jeff.
Tony D’Ottavio (29) and Tony Valeo (29) squared off in a match that at first glance didn’t appear to be that close. Tony V. shot a net 67 and out paced Tony D. in the match play 7 holes to 5. The story of the match however laid in the playing of the first and 18th holes, both par fives. Tony V. played them cleanly while Tony D. struggled. Everywhere else the match was really competitive! Those two holes were the difference. 4 points to Tony V.
In other B flight action, Garth Moyle fired a net 65 to sweep four points from Mike Janel. Looks like Garth was in control all day in this match as he also won the match play 9 holes to 4. B Flight leader Rick Schultz shot a beautiful round of 93 (net 62!) to sweep four points away from Tom Gahr.
Over in A Flight Jack Mahon (22) continues to be red hot. Jack is riding a four-week winning streak and he won again by toppling Pete McInerney (19) in a close match. Jack was actually trailing at the turn but he played a very solid back nine shooting 42 and closed with a net 65. Jack claimed 8 match play holes all told so 4 points again to Jack this week.
Another hot A Flight player is Phil Gaffney. Phil (20) played A Flight leader Glenn Giveans (17) this week and came away a winner as he recorded ten pars overall and a 40 on the front side.
Phil won holes 5 through 8 in match play and finished with a 7-4 margin there, so he claims 4 points from Glenn. It should be noted that Glenn birdied the No. 1 handicap ninth hole while surrendering a handicap stroke to Phil, who parred it, thus securing an unusual and exciting save.
Ben Fong (23) and Drew Klein (20) played an unusual match. Ben won the front 43-47 (birdie on the sixth hole), but Drew won the back 43-47. Ah, but the handicap strokes came into play so Ben won the medal play. In match play Drew rallied on the back and managed to save a point by canning a 25-foot par putt in a deluge on the 18th green. Ben and Drew needed a couple of towels back at the clubhouse! 3 points to Ben, 1 point to Drew.
Guy Hackney (21) played very well in his match versus Frank Mancini (16). Guy shot a net 67 and won the match play 8 holes to 4. Frank had a birdie on the difficult (No. 3 handicap) fifth hole but otherwise had an indifferent day by his standards. 4 points to Guy.
Russ Forrest (26) with a sparkling gross of 89 (net 63) overcame Jim Hoagland (23) in another tight contest. Jim had a net 68 but just didn’t have enough to slow down Russ. 4 points to Russ.
Bob Pierce (18) took down the favored Bob Quinn (15) by virtue of shooting a 39 on the back side. Bob P. birdied the 10th hole and played even par from the 10th hole to the 15th. Bob P.
scored a net 66 and claimed 4 points.
UNOFFICIAL STANDINGS
A FLIGHT POINTS
Glenn Givean 27
Phil Gaffney 26
Pete McInerney 24
Paul Sullivan 24
Mike Bogdash 24
Frank Mancini 23
Guy Hackney 23
B FLIGHT
Rick Schultz 31
Mike Janel 24
Mike Coffman 20
Tom Gahr 19
Garth Moyle 18
Dom Scalfaro 17
