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Saturday’s tournament reminded me of a popular line from the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail
“Just a Flesh Wound” and “‘Tis But a Scratch” are popular lines spoken by the Black Knight character from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail upon having his arms chopped off by King Arthur, refusing to give up their duel.
In our case, “It’s Just a Light Rain!”
It turned out to be an absolute challenge to finish the day. In spite of the conditions, 63 members started the day with spirited determination to outlast the weather and their opponents.
Division 1 (Field 4 players) – Dan Ayars continued his masterful play after coming off a win in a 5 hold playoff last week at our National Major held at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort at the Olde Course. Shooting a stunning bogey free round capped off with 4 birdies, Dan carded at four under round of 68, beating second place winner Noah Bowers by 6 strokes. Noah’s comment said it all, “he’s unbeatable!” Dan’s win earned him $155 and 350 points toward Division 1 Local Player of the Year.
Division 2 (Field 13 players) – This one looked like a tight race through the front nine as Rich Mariner and Brad Horgos made the turn just 2 over, followed closely by Rocky Dare, Dave Baca, and Jeff Dofflemyer just one stroke back with 39’s. It looked like we were heading to a playoff between Rich and Brad coming into the last two holes, but it was Rocky’s steadfast play carding a par over the last three holes that brought him home for the win by one stroke as Rich and Brad both faltered on the last two holes. This is Rocky’s third win of the season, two of them by one stroke and the other in a playoff. The win earned him 278.88 points and $195. This will undoubtably extend his lead as the Division 2 Local Player of the Year. Rich and Brad shared second place with each of them earning $65.
Division 3 (Field 21 players) – The largest field of the day by far saw 21 competitors vying for a first-place pot of $260. In the end, Ray Shelley emerged victorious shooting a steady 42 on the front and a 42 on the back to bring home the win with an 84, edging out second place finisher Cassidy Salvador ($130) with an 85. Both Ryan Felix ($80) and Larry Barber ($55) cracked the top 4 positions with Ryan edging out Larry by one stroke, shooting an 87 to Larry’s 88. Ray took home $260 and 189 points. There was a hard lesson learned by a seasoned veteran who signed an incorrect score card by not comparing his score by score with his competitor. Fortunately, he wasn’t disqualified, but he did just finish out of the money.
Division 4 (Field 13 players) – Our winner, J.P. Perron, shot the round front nine round of his life, shooting a one over par 37 with two bogeys and a birdie, only to see the wheels come off and limping home with a back nine of 49. J.P. went out early due to a scheduled engagement that eventually was cancelled due to the rain. He decided to stick around. For the next 4 hours he anxiously watched the live leaderboard only to see his name slowly rise to the top as he watched other players continue to struggle with the conditions. As with most of the day, it came down to the last two difficult finishing holes at Royal Manchester, the always tough uphill par 4 17th, and the challenging downhill 18th with the approach shot across the water. Second place finisher, Brandon Buchanan ($80) gave it his best shot, but he needed a birdie on 18 to get into a tie. A nearly impossible ask. He did finish with a par on 18 only to end up 1 stroke behind J.P. A hard charging Stevie Stevenson ($25) and Thomas DeYoung ($25) had a chance to dethrone J.P. from the winner circle, but Stevie faltered over the last two holes going 4 over and Thomas ran out of holes to make the comeback. J.P. took home the trophy with $195 and 84.88 points.
Division 5 (Field 12 players) – Division had a number of sea changes with thrills and chills, mostly chills, because as the day wore on the ran became steady and temperature continued to drop. At first it looked like new comer Matthew King was going to run away from the pack with 4 straight pars to start the day. He had a triple of hole 5 but righted the ship with 2 more pars. Then the fun began, Michael Knepp carded 2 birdies on the back along with Mick Usuka getting one of his own and Josh King another as well and all of sudden we had a four-way horse race coming into the 18th hole. Both Michael, Mick, and Josh failed to safely navigate water penalty area in front of the green and all of them took a triple bogey max. Now it was all in Matthew’s hands as he was safely on the green in 4 and only needed a long putt for the win or a two putt for a three-way tie. Unfortunately, he ended up 3 putting and failed to take the lead or get into the playoff. It now came down to a two-way tie to be determined back on the course between Michael and Mick. Both of them were soaked and chilled to the bone, but they somehow mustered the courage to go back out into the elements to determine a winner. In the end Michael Knepp ($200) emerged victorious with bogey on the first hole to beat Mick Usuka’s ($100) double bogey.
Open Net (Field 15 players) The Open Net competition featured 15 members who opted in for this side game. The top 4 players were in the winnings with Dan Ayars stellar four under 68 giving him the victory and $180. Michael Knepp shot an even par net 72 to earn $75. Josh King and Matthew King shot identical net 74’s to tie for third and taking home $23 each.
Senior Net ( Field 21 players) There were 21 players who bought into the Senior Net competition bringing the total purse to $420 and paying out the top 4 winners. First place went to J.P. Perron with a net even par 72 and $210. This brought J.P.’s total winning for the day to $405. Rocky Dare and Ray Shelley tied for second place with identical net 73’s earning each of them $83 and adding to their daily winnings as well. Kurt Bonewitz, who’s game is continuing improve with each out, took home 4th place and earning him $45.
Congratulations to all of the players who weathered the storm and competed like champions. Our next event will be an Enhanced Tournament (double the prize pool and points) at the Bridges Golf Club in Abbottstown, PA on Sunday, May 19. There are only 15 14 spots remaining.
