DSU women’s golf team takes fifth place in Navy Invitational

The Delaware State University women’s golf team traveled to Annapolis, Md., for its first spring tournament of the 2018-19 season. The young Hornets took fifth place in foggy conditions in the April 14 second round at the Navy Invitational at the Naval Academy Golf Course.

Kanyakorn “Ning” Chothirunpanit finished in 21st place for the best Hornets finish, with Panisara “May” Chimsuti taking 22nd. Erin Kopinak came in 25th, with Cilatlipaz Butler’s 27th place completing the team scoring.

The most recent Hornets golfer only started playing golf in early February. College competition rules required a fifth golfer for the team. DSU volleyball player Caroline Rakoski agreed to fill that role. She struggled, but head coach Rick McCall Jr. said he was pleased with her progress.

Host Navy won the event, followed by Boston University, Lehigh University, Monmouth University and DSU.

Cape golf team adds a win

Only two members of the Seaford High School golf team came to the April 10 match against Cape Henlopen’s Vikings at Rehoboth Beach Country Club. Conference rules made this a Blue Jays forfeit, adding another victory to Cape’s season.

The teams played anyway. Individual scores count toward potential spots for the Henlopen Conference tournament honors and qualification for all-conference honors.

Cape’s Dane Palmer and Saxon Kalb won co-medalist honors with a pair of 40s. Kalb made a nice little fist pump after his birdie at the ninth hole. Reed Jones shot a 46, and Tommy Burn completed the Cape scoring with a 50 in his second round of varsity play.

Sussex Academy wins again

The Sussex Academy varsity golf team earned its sixth victory for the season April 11 against Polytech, 175-243, on the Seahawks’ home course at Bear Trap Dunes. Hannah Lydic won medalist honors with her 35.

Women’s Fest golf tournament a success

Eighty-three women braved the cold and wind April 11 to play the annual CAMP Rehoboth Women’s Fest golf tournament at Rookery South. The scramble/shotgun tournament is the kickoff event for the weekend festivities.

Lisa Dillon, Kelly Brown, Diane Stetina and Mitzi Retnover won first place, with Dawn DuPree, Becky Caprano, Leslie McClintick and Terry High taking second. Barb Thompson, Sheree Davis, Wendy McCay and Joanne Yurik finished third.

The event also had a closest-to-the-pin contest at each par 3. The winners were Sheree Davis, Sue Wilson, Katie Heintz, Rina Telegrina and Diane Braver.

Tournament organizer Barb Thompson highlighted the support of the DuPree-Keating Group for Morgan Stanley, as well as Lana Warfield of Berkshire Hathaway/Gallo.

Demo Day at Rookery South May 4

Tony Gizzi is the owner of the Shrewsbury String Quartet. He told me recently that for many May 4 weddings, the bride and groom ask the quartet to play the Star Wars theme.

The Rookery also went Star Wars for this year’s Demo Day, with a May the Fourth Be With You event set to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Course driving range.

Club reps from Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway, Ping, Mizuno, and Cobra are expected to be there with a wide range of new offerings.

Flight Scope

I stopped by the Flight Scope booth at the 2019 Merchandise Show and reconnected with Senior Sales Manager Alex Trujillo.

Last year, we focused on the company’s MEVO personal launch monitor. The cellphone-sized device provides basic shot information which uplinks to a smartphone or tablet.

This year we talked about a significant add-on for the Flight Scope X-3, the company’s top-of-the-line product.

In previous iterations, the X-3 monitor assumed a static condition in evaluating shot data and providing feedback. The new Environmental Optimizer elements take into account additional data, including elevation above sea level, the relative landing height where the ball returns to earth, wind speed and direction, and humidity.

Every one of these environmental conditions can affect the ball’s performance. Just ask anyone who’s played golf in Colorado or the Cape Region.

Golfers don’t really need a meteorology degree. However, players intuitively understand more than they may initially appreciate about how the playing environment affects their tactics and strategy.

For club pros and coaches who already have an X-3, the Environmental Optimizer can be added on through the App Store. Once loaded, the elements can be set as desired, for example when planning to play at high elevation while practicing at sea level.

Initial reaction is highly favorable, according to Trujillo: “They’re loving it.”

Local club competition results

The Mulligans Pointe Ladies held their opening breakfast for the 2019 season April 6. The annual competition began April 9 with a low gross/low net contest.

Maxine Ansbach won first-place low gross, followed by Diane Braver in second and Donna Whitman in third. Carol Love won low net, with Joann Zorb in second and Sue Brady in third. Brenda Joyce won closest to the pin.

The group’s April 16 game used a Net Pars or Better format. Karen Feuchtenberger won first place, with Nancy Mawhinney in second and Braver in third. Teresa Kinhart won closest to the pin.