Greate Bay GC - 1/12/24

A nice field of 62 players toured the beautifully conditioned Greate Bay course last Friday in event #10 in the current AWGL season and some very impressive numbers hit the scoreboard. Dan Ayars playing out of the Running Deer GC paired nines of 34 – 36 for 70 and the win in Open Division gross and increased his winnings with two skins. Chad Cerino, pro from the Centerton GC took the Open net win with 67. Seaview pro, Cliff Still finished 2nd gross, added three skins and made it a triple play by winning the closest to pin contest on hole #3. Lots of action in the Open Division.

Best score of the day was turned in by Dave West as the Exton, PA am carded a one under par 68 and a first place finish in Senior Gross. Dave’s card featured eight 3’s. Centerton’s Greg Van Meter was runner-up with 75. Even though I dropped his handicap by one, Larry Lauterborn from Philly’s Juniata GC continued his winning streak with a 67 for first place in Senior Net. DuPont CC am, Kevin Omori was close behind Larry and his 69 earned him the runner-up prize.

The Super Seniors (age 66 & up) comprised half the total field and Gold Tee linksters posted some very good scores. Leading the Gross category was John Blackmon from Juniata GC as he went out in 36 and back in 38 for a winning total of 74…..two ahead of Max Bilkins from Five Ponds GC in Warminster, PA. Van Wolosin from White Oaks GC shot a nice gross score of 79 and with his 15 handicap (not for long) the resulting 64 was the day’s best net score and put him in first place in the SS Division. Some very good shot making was conducted in the Super Seniors as Dave Mebs from Rancocas CC threw a dart on the par three #7 and his shot stopped only 26” from the cup. This added to his winnings as he also finished 2nd SS net. Seaview’s Paul Leddy carved a great shot to 1’ 8” on hole #16 and added to his winnings with the CTP victory. Paul also garnered two skins for a nice payout. Big Thank You to PGA pro, Rob Milburn and his great staff for their efforts to provide us with a most enjoyable day.

A couple of players brought up the subject of “gimme putts” after their round at Greate Bay. At each event I make a special point to say to the field…putt out no matter what. Do not pick up. Over the years we have needed to exercise some penalties to those who violate this rule. Here’s the real problem….nobody wants to call the penalty on their fellow players and as a result the infraction goes unresolved. I can only urge you to putt everything out…..do not pick up.

As of now the weather forecast for next Friday at Rancocas CC is not good. A high temp of 35* with 10 mph winds. That puts the chill factor into the 20’s and the danger of frostbite exists. Unless there is a change in this forecast; we are cancelled at Rancocas CC on Friday 1/19/2024. We’ll look ahead to Twisted Dune GC on Friday 1/26 and hope for better weather.