As we made our first foray “down the shore” to Twisted Dune Golf Club, the seagulls were squawking in the distance and the sun was shining. The golf course, carved out of a former quarry into a landscape of arresting beauty, was in excellent condition. It was a perfect day for tournament golf.
George Steinmetz(39-37-76) took an early lead with 5 straight pars to open his round but after opening with a double bogey, Paul Hess(37-37-74) went on to post birdies on holes 7 and 9 to earn the front nine lead. He posted another solid 37 on the back to claim the Division 1 win. Steinmetz put the pressure on with his own 37 on the back but came up just short and settled for second place.
Division 2 was a three man race all day as Doug Hilgenberg, Rocky Dare and Shane Martin battled all came into the 18th hole with a chance to win. Martin(38-43-81), who had the lead at the turn missed his 15 foot putt to save par and make it a three man playoff so claimed third place. Hilgenberg(39-41-80) and Dare(43-37-80) went back to the tee at the very difficult 18th hole for a playoff. The scene was set for a great playoff as Hilgenberg had posted one of only 6 pars all day on the 18th hole to force a playoff after Dare scorched the back nine with a 37. Both players reached the green on their third shot setting up a putt off. Dare calmly stepped up and drained an 18 footer to take the victory.
In Division 3, Ed Gilbert claimed his second victory of the year with a solid 79(40-39). Frank Cannella(38-43-81) and Michael Eastman(40-41-81) had the door cracked open when Gilbert triple bogeyed #17 but Ed quickly found his footing and finished his round off with a rare Par at 18 to close the door.
As has been the case all year, Division 4 was a tight contest, with five players within 2 strokes of the winner. John Eastlack(40-46-86) set the pace early with a rock solid 40 on the front nine with John Dee, Dave Neder and Josh Henry close on his heels waiting for an opportunity to strike. Eastlack started leaking oil on hole twelve but was able to cross the finish line for a one stroke win after posting a fabulous Par on 18 to hold off a hard charging Dave Neder(45-42-87). Joshua(41-47-88) Henry rounded out the top three.
Fred Hering(44-47-91) posted a solid opening nine of 44 with a birdie on Hole #7 and paired it with a back nine 47 for a solid round of 91 to take the division 5 title. It was our lowest