By BEN FONG/For the Sentinel
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — With the season entering its second half, every point is becoming increasingly valuable in the Thursday Ocean City Senior Golf League.
Week 10 at Harbor Pines Golf Club featured another round of outstanding golf, with several veterans posting low scores and earning important victories as the race toward the playoffs continues to intensify.
In A Flight action, Pete McInerney opened the day with a strong performance matching cards against Ben Fong. McInerney carded a net 70 to Fong’s 73 before capturing match play 7-5 to sweep all 4 available points.
Phil Gaffney continued his consistent season by posting a net 69 against newcomer Jim Guidotti’s net 70. The pair battled to an even match play result, earning Gaffney 3 points and Guidotti 1 point in one of the week’s closest contests.
Frank Mancini rebounded from last week’s setback in impressive fashion. Mancini fired a net 70 against John Blady’s 79 and controlled match play 7-4 to earn all 4 points.
Bob Pierce remained one of the league’s hottest players, recording a net 68 against Jim Hoagland’s 74. Pierce added a 7-4 match play victory to collect another 4-point sweep, strengthening his position among the A Flight leaders.
Ben Fong ran into a red-hot Ron Venturi. Venturi posted an excellent net 67 compared to Fong’s 73 and secured an 8-5 match play victory to earn all 4 points.
Joe Dempsey carded a respectable net 72, but Garth Moyle answered with a superb net 68. Moyle completed the sweep with a 6-4 match play victory, collecting all 4 points.
B Flight competition produced several dominant performances as well. Rick Schultz continued his strong play with a net 70 matching cards against Dominic Scalfaro’s 79. Schultz controlled match play 9-6 to earn all 4 points.
Joe Sheridan remained among the division’s top performers, shooting a net 72 matching cards against Tom Visco’s 77 before winning match play 8-5 to sweep all 4 points.
Tony D’Ottavio responded with one of his best rounds of the season. D’Ottavio posted a net 69 against Sheridan’s 72 and claimed match play 8-5 to earn all 4 points.
Mike Janel continued his steady play with a net 73 against Glenn Levin’s 77. Janel secured a 7-4 match play victory to collect all 4 points.
Tom Gahr enjoyed another excellent week, firing a net 69 against Mike Coffman’s 78 and winning match play 6-4 for a 4-point sweep. Gahr later matched cards with Sam Malandra, who posted a net 70. The closely contested match ended in a tie, with Malandra earning 2 points.
Tom Szkaradnik rounded out the week’s action with a commanding performance matching cards against Dominic Scalfaro. Szkaradnik recorded a net 70 against Scalfaro’s 79 and cruised to a 9-4 match play victory, earning all 4 points.
The week’s highlights featured another collection of outstanding approach shots and putts. Phil Gaffney birdied Hole 7, Jim Guidotti added a birdie on Hole 18, John Blady recorded a birdie on Hole 4, and Ben Fong birdied Hole 10.
With 10 weeks now complete, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape, but the competition remains remarkably balanced in both flights. Consistent performers such as Bob Pierce, Frank Mancini, Garth Moyle, Joe Sheridan and Tom Gahr continue to build momentum, while every Thursday brings new opportunities for players to climb the standings. With several weeks still remaining before the postseason begins, the battle for playoff positions promises to be one of the closest in recent memory.
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.