Two fantastic private golf courses hosted the GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour (Philly Metro) on August 11th and 12th, 2012. Day One was played at Meadowlands Country Club, a Gordon Brothers design opened in 1951. The course was redesigned in the 1990’s by Ault, Clark & Associates, who removed many mature trees and built seven new holes. The result is a challenging and interesting golf course. On Day Two, we played the Whitemarsh Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill, PA. This course was the venue for the PGA Tour for many years during the 1970’s and 1980’s. The golf course, incorporating the Wissahickon Creek and embracing lovely rolling meadows, was designed by George Thomas and opened in 1908. Several design modifications by William Flynn and Donald Ross are evident in the current routing, which Ben Hogan once called "one of the world’s great golf courses". This was a ‘double-points’ Tour Major tournament. We proudly welcomed Metro NY GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour members Daniel Margulies and John Weitz to the event.
In the Championship Flight, Andrew Neal won for the second time this season against a field of seven ‘CHAMPS’ with a two-day total of 153 for a 10-stroke victory over Ben Hollinger. The difference was on Day One, when Andrew carded a 1-over par 72 (34-38) that included 3 birdies, the best score by a 9 stroke margin over Ben Hollinger (81, 41-40). On Day Two, Neal’s 9-over par 81 (44-37) bested Hollinger by a single stroke. Hollinger’s round of 82 (44-38) included 4 birdies; Neal was without a birdie on Day Two. Jay Vasil was another stroke back at 164 after steady rounds of 82-82.
The A Flight victory went to Dave Upchurch, with a two-day total of 149. On Day One, Upchurch posted a 3-over par 74 (36-38) that included two birdies; Dave was even-par on the front-nine. He was tied with Dave DiValentino who also carded a 74 (37-37) that included three birdies. On Day Two, Upchurch continued his fine play with a round of 3-over par 75 (38-37) that included two birdies. DiValentino could do no better than an 81 (39-42) on Day Two for a two-day total of 155, six-shots back. Metro NY member John Weitz was another six strokes back with a two-day total of 161 after steady rounds of 81-80.
In the B Flight, new member John Cavanaugh won his first title on tour by one-stroke in a heated battle with Keith Johnson. On Day One, Johnson led the field with a fine round of 80 (38-42) that included three birdies. He was three strokes better than Cavanaugh, who shot 83 (42-41) without a birdie on the card. On Day Two, Cavanaugh returned a score of 84 (42-42), again without a birdie, for a two-day total of 167.That was just enough to pip Johnson, who went round in 88 (46-42) for a two-day total of 168. Kyle Mazza was another shot back at 169 after rounds of 86-83.
The C Flight champion was determined in a one-hole playoff between Dave Neder and John Son, who both finished with a two-day total of 184. The best round of Day One was carded by Max Lamberto who shot 88 (41-47) with two birdies. Son was 5-strokes back with a 93 (46-47) and Neder was even further back after a round of 95 (46-49). On Day Two, Lamberto faded and Neder returned an excellent round of 89 (45-44) to catch Son, who was in with a round of 91 (45-46). In the playoff, Neder made a long putt for a Par 4 after escaping from the greenside bunker, after Son couldn’t get up and down for par from the bunker. An enthusiastic crowd of members watched the playoff unfold and cheered on the contestants – it was great fun!
The event raised $ 140.00 for the GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour’s charity partner, Stand Up 2 Cancer. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to play golf on such pristine and challenging private golf courses. Our next event is at Little Mill Country Club, a private course located in the pinelands near Marlton, NJ. The tournament is scheduled for Sunday August 26th, with a scheduled 12:30 PM 1st tee start. The tournament entry fee is $110.00 and scheduled practice rounds are available.
SKINS & CTP 08-11-12
Hole #2 – John Stevens (Birdie "3")
Hole #5 – Dave Upchurch (Birdie "3")
Hole #6 – John DiValentino, Jr. (Birdie "2")
Hole #10 – Max Lamberto (Birdie "3")
Hole #13 – John Poole (Birdie "3")
Hole #14 – John Poole (Birdie "3")
Hole #18 – Jim Boyce (Birdie "3")
Skins paid $40.00 each
CTP #3 – Dave Upchurch 2’ 6"
CTP #6 – John DiValentino, Jr. 7’ 0"
CTP #12 – John Cavanaugh 7’ 7"
CTP # 16 – Mike Krantz 11’ 2"
CTP paid $35.00 each
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SKINS & CTP 08-12-12
Hole #1 – Dave Taylor (Birdie "3")
Hole #3 – Steve Neder (Birdie "4")
Hole #5 – Jay Barnica (Birdie "4")
Hole #6 – John DiValentino, Sr. (Eagle "2")
Hole #10 – Mike Krantz (Birdie "3")
Hole #14 – John DiValentino, Jr. (Birdie "3")
Hole #15 – Ben Hollinger (Birdie "3")
Hole #16 – Jay Vasil (Birdie "2")
Hole #17 – Doug Hilgenberg (Birdie "4")
Hole #18 – Dave DiValentino (Birdie "3")
Skins paid $28.00 each
CTP #4 - John Weitz 34’ 4"
CTP #9 - Dave Upchurch 7’ 1"
CTP #12 - Jay Vasil 9’ 11"
CTP #16 - David Cooey 6’ 10"
CTP paid $35.00 each