Plymouth Country Club in Plymouth Meeting, PA was the tournament venue for the GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour (Philly Metro) Honor America Tournament on Sunday September 11th, 2011. We
had twenty GWAT tour members and twenty-two guests compete on a partly sunny day with no rain.Plymouth Country Club is a private golf course founded in 1912, designed by William S. Flynn. The 6,570 yard Par 72 course features water hazards, small greens, and tight fairways. The golf course was extremely wet from the recent torrential rains in our area, and we were fortunate to play.
Prior to the tournament, six members of the National Guard Armory from Norristown joined together with three members of the Philadelphia Fife & Drum Corps in a flag ceremony that featured the Star Spangled Banner, and a moment of silence in honor of the September 11th 2001 attacks on the United States.
In the Championship Flight, Plymouth Country Club and GWAT member Mike Carr won his second title of the season in a close battle with Plymouth member Dino Volpi. Carr posted a birdie on the Par 5 8th hole against two front-nine bogeys to turn in 1-over par 36. He posted another birdie on the Par 4 11th hole which was balanced out by a bogey at the Par 3 14th hole to play the back-nine in even-par 37 for a total of 1-over par 73, for a one-stroke victory. Volpi’s erratic round included five birdies, three bogeys, and two double-bogeys for a 2-over par 74.
The A Flight victory went to PPGA (Philadelphia Publinks) member Dave DiValentino, with a fine round of 78 that includes three birdies. Dave was two strokes better than his father, John DiValentino, Sr. John Poole and Dennis Begley had the best GWAT member rounds with an 83.
In the B Flight, GWAT member Keith Johnson won his first event of the season, with a five-stroke victory over fellow GWAT member Kevin Cockerham. Johnson posted a steady round of 42-41 for a total of 83. Congratulations, Keith!
The C Flight champion was GWAT member Doug Johnson (who is Keith’s cousin) with a fine round of 85. Doug was 5 strokes better than fellow GWAT member Dan Carter, who shot 90. There were smiles all around after it became clear that the B and C Flights were a "Johnson Sweep".
Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to play golf on such a pristine and challenging private golf course. Special mention goes to the Director of Golf at Plymouth, Chris Hanson, and his staff, who provided our group with exemplary service and made the entire experience a most enjoyable one. The event raised $ 110.00 for the GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour’s charity partner, Stand Up 2 Cancer.
Our final event of the inaugural season is at Philmont Country Club (North) on Sunday October 2nd, 2011 with a scheduled 11:30 AM 1st tee start. This great private golf course is one the most highly ranked in our area. The event fee is $125.00 and a scheduled practice round will be available.