Rehoboth Beach Junior Open sets new record
This year’s June 17 edition of the Rehoboth Beach Junior Open set a new record for the number of young golfers competing in the long-running tournament.
Charlie Schuyler, the head golf professional at host course Rehoboth Beach Country Club, was pleased at the turnout. “We had 108 golfers signed up. Only one was a no-show. It’s incredible,” he said.
For the last six years, the RBJO has been a part of the Philadelphia Section PGA Junior Tour, one of more than 60 events held each year. After the RBJO, the tour was scheduled to continue at Cripple Creek Country Club June 18, Kings Creek Country Club June 19, and Bayside in Fenwick Island June 20.
Matthew Rosai of Camden defeated Ryan Rucinski of Wilmington in a sudden-death playoff on the first hole, winning the Boys 16-18 Division. Both players shot 73 for the round.
Samantha Leite of Camden shot a 77 to win the Girls 16-18 Division, with Annika Vandayar of Garnet Valley, Pa., taking second with her 86.
Kyle Vance won the Boys 13-15 Division with his 77. R.J. Wren of Morgantown, Pa., won second place in a playoff on the first hole against Adam Chandler of Newark, and Liam McGrath of Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
Allison Appleton’s 100 won the Girls 13-15 Division, and Rylie Doyle of Dagsboro took second with her 103.
In the 12 and Under Division (Boys and Girls), Austin Barbin of Elkton, Md., shot a 41 to win top spot in the contest on RBCC’s back nine. Colman Mitchell of Wilmington finished two strokes back.
The lunch before the afternoon featured the awards presentation of the Delaware State Golf Association Scholarships.
Ron Barrows, a former RBCC head pro who is active with the DSGA Foundation, noted that the applicants are evaluated on the basis of SAT scores, community and charity work activities, as well as their sportsmanship, integrity and attitude.
Leite and Joseph Visalli, teammates on this year’s state champion Caesar Rodney High School golf squad, were co-winners of the first-place Robert McCurry Award. Each is receiving $3,500 per year for four years.
Kurt Hill of Newark won third place, earning $2,500 per year for four years.
Andrew Barbin of Elkton, Md., was awarded the first of two fourth-place scholarships. His grant totals $1,500 per year for four years. Mason Mendoza of Dover earned the second of the fourth-place spots, a grant of $1,500 per year for three years.
Barrows said this year’s awards take the fund past the $900,000 mark in scholarships awarded since its inception. He also reminded me that the 2013 Scholarship Golf Tournament will take place Oct. 7 at RBCC.
Mark your calendars.
Local club competition results
The RBCC 18 Hole Ladies Golf group played a 2-best-balls net of 4, with an additional blind net category, on June 12.
Barb Collins, Pauline Porter, Gayle Truitt and Kathy Carroll combined for a winning 131 net score. Bee Ekdahl, Joan Palmer, Lyn Webster and Dee Moore finished three strokes back for second place.
In the blind net category, Cyndy Simeone, Carroll, Truitt and Webster combined for a winning score of 131.
Barb Collins’ 98 was low gross single for the day, while Carroll had low net with her 72. Ekdahl earned the day’s prize for low putts with 28.
The Kings Creek Country Club 18-Hole Ladies Golf League played a Far Out format on June 13, despite the challenging weather.
Julie Dickson won first place in the first flight, with Marilyn Hewitt in second and Bernie Reed in third.
Sheree Mixell finished first in the second flight, followed by Betsy Alwood and then Joann Yurick.
Four teams from the Kings Creek CC Ladies’ 9-Hole group played a Team Stableford format event June 17. Mary Beth Merolla, Nancy Barlow and Judy Pezone won first place. Merolla also won the closest to the pin contest on the 13th hole, as her tee shot finished only five-feet-nine-inches away.
The U.S. Open
The United States Golf Association graciously provided me with media credentials for the 2013 Open, held June 13-17 at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. The next few columns will feature stories from this great championship.
