Blue Heron Pines Golf Club in Cologne, NJ hosted the GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour (Philly Metro) on Saturday May 25th, 2013. 57 GWAT members and 3 guests competed on a blustery and unseasonably cool and windy afternoon on the beautifully conditioned course for trophies in five flights. Blue Heron Pines is a Stephen Kay designed daily fee course opened in 1993. The course was recently purchased by Ron Jaworski Golf, who have made improvements to the course and facilities. Mr. Jaworski, the great Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and current ESPN broadcaster, was on site and chatted with our members and signed some autographs.
In the Championship Flight, Rick Custer carded a fine round of 79 (39-40) to take home the trophy. This was Rick’s first title on the GWAT. Andrew Neal was two-strokes back with an 81 (40-41). The CHAMPS played the course from ‘the tips’ which on a day with 30 MPH wind gusts was extremely challenging! Rick Custer was the only player in the field to break 80 in the windy conditions.
The A Flight victory went to new member Mike Anderson, his first title on the GWAT, with a fine round of 83. After a front-nine 45, Mike played his way around the wind-swept back-nine in 2-over par 38 to take the title. Great playing, Mike! Doug Hilgenberg was two-shots back with an 85 (46-39). Michael Schoedler was another stroke back after carding an 86 (42-44) to claim third place.
In the B Flight, a playoff was held to determine the winner after three players returned scores of 85, which was 4-strokes lower than any other B Flight member. Robert Kulbacki (39-46), Jim Boyce (43-42), and Steve Mumford (43-42) all returned to the first tee for a 3-man battle. Robert Kulbacki prevailed with a Par-4 on the first playoff hole. This was Robert’s first GWAT title. Jim Boyce took second place on a match of cards over Steve Mumford.
The C Flight champion was also determined after a playoff when a round of 90 was turned in by three members. Karl Vondran (45-45), Christopher Moore (46-44) and John Son (45-45) all returned to the first-tee to battle it out for the title. Karl Vondran chipped it close and was able to secure a Par 4 that won the trophy on the first playoff hole. This was Karl’s first title on the GWAT. Christopher Moore took second place on a match of cards over John Son. Michael Marchionda missed the playoff by one stroke when his birdie putt on 18 grazed the edge and stayed out!
The D Flight also produced a first-time winner on tour. Christopher Laughlin was the only D Flight member to break 100. His round of 96 (45-51) included 3 pars. GWAT Metro NY member S.W. Yeung took second-place with a round of 100 (49-51).
The event raised $70.00 for the GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour’s charity partner, Stand Up 2 Cancer. Special thanks to Head Golf Professional Keven Horton and his staff at Blue Heron Pines for all of their help with the tournament. We proudly welcomed GWAT Metro NY members Wes Samons (CHAMP), Joe Livingston (A) and S.W. Yeung (D) to the tournament.
On Saturday June 8th, 2013, the Philly Metro Tour moves on to the fabulous Bulle Rock Golf Club in Havre de Grace, MD This fifteen-year old Pete Dye design is ranked in the Top 50 golf courses in the USA (and Number One in Maryland) by GOLFWEEK Magazine. Bulle Rock hosted the LPGA Championship from 2005 - 2009. Scheduled tee times begin at 11:00 AM. Come on out and experience this incredible golf course under tournament conditions.
SKINS & CTP 05-25-13
Hole #6 - John DiValentino, Jr. (Birdie “3”)
Hole #8 – Dan Harris (Birdie “4”)
Hole #10 – John Son (Birdie “3”)
Hole #12 – Joe Foley (Birdie “3”)
Hole #16 – Robert Kulbacki (Birdie “2”)
Hole #17 – Zach Davis (Birdie “3”)
SKINS paid $80.00 each
CTP #2 – George Reby
CTP #4 – Ted Mazurek
CTP # 11 – Rich Stang
CTP #16 – Robert Kulbacki
CTP paid $70.00 each