Lulu Country Club – North Hills, PA – July 21, 2012
The GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour (Philly Metro) was challenged by the classic Donald Ross designed Lulu Country Club on Saturday July 21st, 2012.Thirty-two tour members in four flights competed on a partly cloudy pleasant afternoon on the mature tree-lined golf course. Lulu Country Club opened in 1918 on what was once rolling farmland and forest, in then rural Montgomery County, PA. It features several water hazards, tight driving areas, mounds and grass bunkers and fast contoured greens. The longer back-nine plays several strokes harder than the front-nine.
In the Championship Flight, Gary Greenberg bested a field of four ‘CHAMPS’ with a 2-stroke victory over Mitch Kato and Ben Hollinger. Gary’s steady five-over par round of 76 (37-39) included 13 pars and five bogeys. Kato had 2 birdies in his round of 78 (37-41) and Hollinger carded a lone birdie in his round of 78 (39-39), which was good for 2nd place on a match of cards.
The A Flight victory went to John DiValentino, Sr. who captured the title on his former ‘home course’ with a fine round of 80 (38-42) that included two birdies. John staked himself to a 3-stroke lead over Albie Sanguiliano after the easier front-nine, and then held on to best a field of 3 other members for the title. John DiValentino, Jr. (84, 42-42) bested Sanguiliano (84, 41-43) for 2nd place on a match of cards.
The B Flight title was decided in a playoff between Jay Barnica (81, 40-41) and Keith Johnson (81, 41-40). Both players recorded two birdies in their round, and Barnica also won a CTP on the difficult Par 3 12th hole. In the playoff, Barnica reached the par 5 1st hole in regulation and two-putted for the victory, after Johnson was unable to get ‘up and down’ to save par. Ed Kelly (84, 41-43) took 3rd place on a match of cards. The tour proudly welcomed new member Chris Wilhelm to the event.
The C Flight champion was Dave Neder, who claimed a hard-fought one-stroke victory over Ken Wilson with a round of 87 (43-44). Tour Director Jeff A. Brodsky (89, 42-47) held a one-stroke lead over Neder after the front-nine, but was unable to sustain the momentum and suffered a triple-bogey 7 on the final hole to relinquish the chance for (at least) a playoff with Neder. Wilson took 2nd place with a steady round of 88 (44-44). John Son (89, 46-43) took 3rd place on a match of cards.
The event raised $80 for the GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour’s charity partner, Stand Up 2 Cancer.
Our next tournament is a ‘joint-event’ with the Metro NY GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour at Heron Glen Golf Club in Ringoes, NJ on Saturday August 4th, 2012. Scheduled tee times begin at 11:00 AM. The event fee is $110.00. Hope to see you there!
SKINS & CTP 07-21-12
Hole #1 – Jay Barnica (Birdie "4")
Hole #6 – John DiValentino, Sr. (Birdie "2")
Hole #10 – John DiValentino, Jr. (Birdie "4")
Hole #12 – Jay Barnica (Birdie "2")
Hole #14 – Steve Winnick (Birdie "3")
Hole #17 – Keith Johnson (Birdie "4")
Hole #18 – Kyle Mazza (Birdie "3")
Skins paid $45.00 each
CTP #4 – Steve Winnick 3’ 5"
CTP #6 – Cary Widener 13’ 9"
CTP #12 – Jay Barnica 7’ 5"
CTP #15 – Rich Passarella 8’ 9"
CTP paid $40.00 each