League play gets going on the links
This Week at Shelridge
Contributed Photo – The opening scrambles low gross champs at Shelridge included, from left, Dave Boice, Alex Misiti, Brett Decker and Bruce Foley.
After a cold and unseasonable start to the season Shelridge golfers finally got in some genuine competition in the past week and hopefully can look forward to a faster pace as things swing into full motion.
The only ones who have fallen victim are the ladies of the well-organized SWGA League which has been rained out two weeks running. Men of the Thursday Night League have been luckier and now have early scores to set the pace. This league and the women’s league and the Friday night couples league have amazed the club leadership this year by being jam-packed and filled to capacity.
“They’re busting at the seams,” said Club Pro Dave Green who is wise enough to know that league play is the best way for club members to get to know each other.
In last week’s Thursday League the following teams finished in the top spots and challenged others to follow: GROUP ONE—Steve Hicks and Tim Armstrong, 21 points; Brad Zacher and Steve Dutcher, 20.5 points; Dave and Ian Wagner, 18.5 points. GROUP TWO— Greg and Ryan Smith, 22 points; Derek Cammarata and Ryan Neidrauer, 19 points; Bob Casler and Jeff Ponza Jr., 18 points.
The Couples League begins tonight with a shotgun start now the standard for tee-off . It has been arranged so that teams finish together and can adjourn to the dining room to eat together if they choose.
Another early season ritual is the race for the title of “Shelridge Player of The Year”. This runs all summer and changes as players pile up points. Participation in club events is the basis for appearing on this list. The top performers at this stage of the year with their points are: Jeff Panza, 15; Jeff Panza Jr., 15; Tim Garlock, 15; Brian Russell, 15; Brett Decker, 15; Dave Boice, 15; Alex Misiti, 15; Bruce Foley, 15; Rob Dennis, 10; Butch and Dave Stupnick, each 10; Mike Paul, 10.
Sign-up is under way for the club’s first major tournament set for June 7-8. It is the Member-Member Tourney featuring two days of golf and social events. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be arranged along with trophies and on Saturday night of that week end there will be a dinner and party for couples set to a musical background.
Meanwhile the results have been posted for the Shelridge Opening Scramble held last Saturday. It proved that you can’t beat experience in the game of golf. The foursome that took top place included Bruce Foley, Brett Decker, Alex Misiti and Dave Boice. All have been club champs at one time or other and they shot a 59 in the scramble. Perhaps the most notable feature of their round was the fact that their score card sizzled with ten straight three’s at the start of competition.
In second place were Mike Paul, Randy Coleman, David and Butch Stupnick with 65 and next were Mark Rydza, John Jablonski, Paul Kovach and Brian Branka with 67.
In the bracket for low net score were Jeff Panza, Jeff Panza Jr., Tim Garlock and Brian Russell with 52 at the top, then Rob Dennis, Rob Dennis III, Rob Hermann and Chris Millville with 54.
Short Shot
Congratulations have gone to Bill Ossont, a veteran club member and the maestro of the Teachers League, for shooting the first hole-in-one of the season. He used a 7 hybrid club on hole number nine just a week ago. It was a no-nonsense shot which went in the hole pure and simple.
