Cape Region well represented at Delaware Open

This year's Delaware Open took place Aug. 1-2 at Deerfield Golf Course, the former DuPont Louviers layout, only a few miles from the Pennsylvania border.

The travel distance didn't seem to dissuade Cape Region golfers from participating, however, with several locals making the trek north to compare their skills to the rest of the state.

The three-round event featured a cut after the first 18 holes, which became five-over par on the hilly, par 70 layout.

Peter Barron of Baywood Greens led all golfers after the first two rounds with a six-under par performance. He shot one-under par in the third round and held on for the victory by three strokes over Jay Whitby of Wild Quail Golf and Country Club.

Barron is also a member of Stone Harbor Golf Club in Cape May Court House, N.J., and an avid competitive amateur golfer in the Philadelphia region.

Chris Krueger, the teaching pro at Kings Creek Country Club, finished in seventh place with a three-over total for the 54 holes.

John R. Lynch and Greyson Rossi of Cripple Creek Country Club tied with others for ninth place at six-over par. Neil Maurer of Bear Trap Dunes finished in 13th place at seven-over.

Ed Brown of Rehoboth Beach Country Club shot nine-over, in a tie for 16th. Rookery South assistant golf pro Chris Osberg tied for 30th with his 16-over total.

Cape Region golfers who missed the cut included Chase Brockstedt of Kings Creek, Michael Chinaud of Bear Trap, Scott Shockley of The Rookery, Art Whaley of Salt Pond, Matthew Kasper of Rookery South, Brooks Massey and Chris Lowe of Heritage Shores and Tim Gallagher of Rookery South.

Summer aces

Congratulations to Bud Hitchens for his hole-in-one on the fourth hole of the Kodiak Course at Bear Trap Dunes July 14. Hitchens said the tees were set at 128 yards, and in understated fashion, remarked that the “temperature was hot that day.”

I’m not sure there was a day this past July that wasn’t hot.

Matt Zehner is touring a few college campuses this summer as he heads into his senior year at Cape Henlopen High School. The Vikings golf team captain took advantage of the opportunity during his Clemson University visit to play in a Hurricane Junior Golf Tour event July 18-19, along with 30 other boys, at Clemson’s Walker Course.  

Zehner admitted to struggling a bit the first day with his 82. His second round was much improved, helped along by his hole-in-one on the 155-yard par 3 fourth hole. Zehner’s 75 on the 6,911-yard layout led to a sixth-place finish in the tournament.

A day at the PGA Championship

My brother Tom, who's now a New Jersey guy, managed to obtain two tickets for the Wednesday practice round at the PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J. We had a great time.

Practice rounds are far more relaxed than when the tournament begins in earnest. Several pros out on the course even took breaks between holes to sign autographs, such as Tony Finau. Jordan Spieth would have never finished his practice round if he did that, however. Between the 11th green and the 12th tee he announced in a polite but firm voice that he would only sign stuff at the 18th hole, when he finished. Most folks seemed satisfied with that compromise.

Tom and I wandered around the course without sticking to the hole configuration, enjoying the shade trees and the breeze in the hot, muggy conditions. We could also see why the par 3 fourth is Baltusrol's signature hole, and why the PGA put up a 2,500-seat arena there. It's not only pretty to look at, but it's also a challenging greens complex just past the pond in front.

Practice round tickets are often cheaper than what's available during the tournament. If you'd like to see the course with less fuss and bother, check out this option for upcoming pro tournaments. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Local club competition results

The Kings Creek CC Ladies 9 hole golf association played a T & F game July 27. This format adds up the net scores on the holes that begin with a T or an F (2, 3, 4 and 5).

Jeanne Drake won first place, while second spot went to Hope Lavachia. Amy Rowe took third, and Susan Eisenbrey finished in fourth.  

Carole Ellison won closest-to-the-pin honors on the eighth hole.

The Kings Creek Ladies 18 hole group played an individual net Stableford tournament Aug. 2.

Wendy McClay won first place in the first flight, followed by Deb Ward in second and Jean Chlastawa in third.

Katie Heintz took first in the second flight, with Barbara Hines finishing second and Faye Slatcher taking third.

First place in the third flight went to Pattie Magee, with Atom Irwin in second and Denise Stewart in third. Katie Heintz won closest to the pin.

The Sussex Pines Ladies 18 hole group played a low gross/low net game Aug. 2. Brenda Lewes won first place gross, followed by Linda Townsend in second and JoAnn Foster in third.

In the net category, Terry Daisey took first, with Dee Prilaman in second and Sandy Harrison in third.