The Pete Dye designed Bulle Rock Golf Club hosted the Philly Metro GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour on Saturday June 8th, 2013. Fifty-four tour members (and two guests) in five flights competed on a humid overcast afternoon on the rain-softened course. Bulle Rock Golf Club opened in 1998, and has hosted many high-profile events including the LPGA Championship. The course was built on the rolling hills and meadows overlooking the mouth of the Susquehanna River where it joins the Chesapeake Bay. It features "Dye-abolical" bunkering, tall fescue and fast sloping greens.
The golf course was in excellent condition, considering the amount of rain that fell the previous 24 hours. Given the soft conditions, there were a combined 31 birdies and 1 eagle spread throughout the field. We proudly welcomed players from the DC Metro, Metro NY, and Nashville GOLFWEEK Amateur Tours to the tournament.
In the Championship Flight, Rick Custer claimed his second consecutive title by a stroke, with a fine round of 79 (38-41). Rick’s round included a birdie on the Par 3 3rd hole. It was a "tale of two nines" for visiting member Jack Sheehan from the D.C. Metro Tour, who shot an 80 (43-37) but was unable to catch Custer at the end. Jack birdied the Par 5 15th hole in his 1-over par back-nine.
The A Flight victory went to Kai Kurylak, his first title on the GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour. Kai’s round of 81 (39-42) included two front-nine birdies. Albie Sanguiliano rode an "eagle" 3 on the Par 5 15th hole to a score of 82 (45-37) which was one shot shy of catching Kurylak. Another shot back was Donald Powell at 83 (40-43). Donald birdied the difficult Par 4 10th hole during his round.
Jay Barnica claimed his first B Flight title of the season in a one-hole playoff over Jim Boyce, after both players returned the exact same score (85,40-45). Barnica made a Par 4 on the 1st hole to secure the victory. Boyce would have won outright, but stumbled on the Par 5 15th hole with a triple-bogey. This was the second consecutive week that Boyce went to a playoff for the title. Jim Checksfield (87, 43-44) finished 2-strokes back in 3rd place.
The C Flight champion was new member Mike McKenna, who claimed his first GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour title with a great round of 86 (47-39) that included three back-nine birdies! He scored a two-stroke victory over Michael Marchionda (88, 46-42). Mike’s fine play earned him a coveted Battlefield Promotion to the B Flight for his next event. Way to go, Mike!
The D Flight winner was Christopher Laughlin, who won for the second consecutive week. Chris’ round of 91 (47-44) was 8 shots clear of runner-up Ken Mutzbaugh (99, 49-50), visiting from the DC Metro Tour. Chris is looking more and more like a player who will challenge for D Flight Champion this season.
The event raised $130.00 for the GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour’s charity partner, Stand Up 2 Cancer. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to play such a well-designed and well-maintained golf course!
Our next event begins the "private course" portion of our season, as we return to the North Course at Philmont Country Club for the third time. The 6,670 yard Par 70 North Course at Philmont, designed by William S. Flynn and Willie Park, features numerous water hazards, lightning fast greens, and tight tree-lined fairways. The Par 5 9th hole ranks as one of the most challenging Par 5 holes in the entire region! Scheduled tee times commence at 12:30 PM.
SKINS & CTP 06-08-13
Hole #2 – Richard Stang (Birdie "4")
Hole #6 – J.P. Perron (Birdie "3")
Hole #8 – Ed Kelly (Birdie "4")
Hole #10 – Donald Powell (Birdie "3")
Hole #12 – Michael Dupree (Birdie "2")
Hole #15 – Albie Sanguiliano (Eagle "3")
Hole #17 – Michael Marchionda (Birdie "2")
Hole #18 – Kevin Cockerham (Birdie "3")
Skins paid $65.00 each
CTP #3 – Rick Custer 1’ 11"
CTP #7 – Kevin Cockerham 5’ 0"
CTP #12 – John Perron 5’ 5"
CTP #17 – Joe Foley 5’ 0"
CTP paid $65.00 each
CONGRATULATIONS to Allen Bailey, who made a Hole-In-One on the Par 3 17th hole during a practice round for this event. Allen used a six-iron from 171yards. Way to go, Allen!