Crystal Springs Resort Hamburg, NJ
Ballyowen Golf Club & Wild Turkey Golf Club
GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour (Philly Metro + Metro NY)
June 9 & 10, 2012
Our first 2-Day Tour Major of the 2012 season was contested this past weekend on two Roger Rulewich designed golf courses at the Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, NJ. Forty-eight players from the Philly Metro & Metro NY GOLFWEEK Amateur Tours travelled to the beautiful environs of northern New Jersey to play Ballyowen Golf Club and Wild Turkey Golf Club on consecutive days. The event was played under mostly sunny and warm conditions; a fast moving thunderstorm came through the area on Day Two near the end of play. Both golf courses were in good condition and their varied design styles provided an interesting venue for the competition between the two rival tours.
In the Championship Flight, Metro NY member Wes Samons scorched Ballyowen with an opening round 71 (33-38), that included 5 birdies; he was 3-under on the front-nine. Doug Hilgeneberg, from the Philly Metro tour, was five strokes back after a fine round of 76 (41-35) that included 4 birdies. Only one other player from the 10 CHAMP Flight competitors, Vick Tandon from Metro NY, broke 80 on Day One. On Day Two, Darrin Sloan from Metro NY posted the lowest round from ‘the tips’ at at Wild Turkey, a 4-over par 75 (39-36). However, no one was going to catch Wes Samons, who posted 77 (37-40) to win the title by nine strokes over Sloan, with a two-day total of 148. Two players, Cesar Martinez from Philly Metro and Vick Tandon from Metro NY, were another 4 strokes back at 161 and tied for 3rd. Samons punctuated his performance by winning 2 valuable CTP prizes at the event.
In the A Flight, Philly Metro member Albie Sanguiliano opened with 5-over par 77 (39-38) at Ballyowen. Joe Arnold from Metro NY also carded a 77 (38-39); Joe’s round included 4 birdies. John Weitz from Metro NY was another 6 strokes back after an 83 (43-40). On Day Two, Albie Sanguiliano couldn’t be caught as he shot a 4 over-par 75 (40-35) at Wild Turkey to take the title by 6 strokes over Joe Arnold, who carded an 81 (41-40) on Sunday. Sanguiliano had a two-day total of 152. John Weitz shot a great round of 79 (41-38) to take 3rd place on a match of cards over Walter Schmitz from Metro NY.
The B Flight champion was Dave Taylor from Philly Metro, who won his first title on the GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour. Dave opened with a round of 85 (44-41) for a 3-stroke lead over Metro NY Director Tom Steinmann (88, 42-46). Jim Boyce (85, 46-39) from Philly Metro and Derek Stevenson (85, 47-38) from Metro NY were also tied for the lead after Day One at Ballyowen. On Day Two, Dave Taylor played steady golf at Wild Turkey. His round of 82 (42-40), that included two birdies, was good enough for a 1-stroke victory over hard-charging Tom Steinmann, who shot an 80 (39-41). Dave’s two day total was 167. Mark Wyttenbach was another stroke back at 169 after a very fine round of 79 (36-43) that included 4 birdies.
In the C Flight, Kyle Mazza earned a ‘battlefield promotion’ to the B Flight after a strong showing in the tournament. Kyle opened with a 91 (49-42) at Ballyowen; he trailed the leaders Doug Johnson (86, 47-39) and Chris Moore(86, 45-41) from Philly Metro by 5 strokes. On Day Two, Kyle posted his lowest round ever on tour, a 78 (40-38). He was 6 strokes better than the next lowest score in his flight that day. Kyle’s two day total of 169 was 8 strokes better than Kevin Good from Metro NY, who posted an 87 (43-44) to take second place. Ignacio Casares of Metro NY was another stroke back in third at 178.
The D Flight champion was S.W. Yeung of Metro NY, who was a comfortable 14 strokes ahead of his nearest competitor. S.W. opened with a round of 106 at Ballyowen, but came back strong with a 92 on Day Two at Wild Turkey. A heavy fast moving thunderstorm interrupted the end of the D Flight round at Wild Turkey, but S.W. was far enough in front that the final hole was suspended.
The GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour (Philly Metro) moves on to The Links Golf Club in Marlton, NJ for a tournament on Saturday June 16th, 2012. This private course designed by Frederick Hawtree winds through forest and wetlands, with small greens and tight fairways. Accuracy is at a premium here!
SKINS & CTP 06-09-12 Ballyowen
Hole #6 – Brendan Clearkin (Birdie "2")
Hole #8 – Joe Arnold (Birdie "3")
Hole #9 – John Son (Birdie "3")
Hole #11 – Dave Upchurch (Birdie "2")
Hole #16 - Doug Johnson (Birdie "3")
Skins paid $80.00 each
CTP #4 – Wes Samons
CTP #11 – Ben Hollinger
CTP paid $200.00 each
SKINS & CTP 06-10-12 Wild Turkey
Hole #3 – Andrew Neal (Birdie "4")
Hole #6 – Cesar Martinez (Birdie "3")
Hole #7 - Andrew Neal (Birdie "2")
Hole #11 – Vick Tandon (Birdie "4")
Hole #18 – Jordan Jones (Birdie "3")
Skins paid $80.00 each
CTP #2 – Wes Samons
CTP #14 – Joe Arnold
CTP paid $200.00 each