Sawyer Brockstedt wins regional qualifier

Sawyer Brockstedt is having a great summer.

The Rehoboth Beach eighth-grader at Sussex Academy added another title to her competitive resume, winning the 13-and-under girls’ category of the Atlantic City Regional Qualifier for the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship Aug. 15-16.

Twenty girls in Brockstedt’s group played the first round on the Bay Course at Seaview Resort & Spa, home of the ShopRite LPGA Classic currently scheduled for early October. Fifteen of these juniors completed the second round in tough conditions on the challenging 5,017-yard par 71 layout.

“It was challenging,” Brockstedt said. “Both days were windy, but on the second day, we also had rain.”

“I was two-over on the first round, and that was with a triple and a double bogey. At that point, I was tied for the lead. On the second day, I shot a 76, and that was a really good score because it was pouring down rain. I won by one shot,” she said.

Her double bogey in the first round would be familiar to LPGA players. The tee box for the par 3 11th hole used for the JGNC is also the same one used in the ShopRite. Tall fescue nearly surrounds the hole. “My tee shot went into the fescue short and right. It’s really hard to get out of it,” Brockstedt said.

The JGNC is open to all junior golfers 8-18, and without prior playing points or other pre-competition requirements. Normally there are local qualifying tournaments to reach the regional stage, but the response to the pandemic eliminated that first level.

Regional qualifying tournaments accepted up to 180 participants across a range of age groups. Up to 140 competitors from the regionals become eligible for the National Championship, to be held this year at Koasati Pines at Coushatta, in Kinder, La., Nov. 15-17.

Two of Brockstedt’s national-level golfing buddies, Kate Barber of Georgia and Ellison Lundquist of Furlong, Pa., have also qualified for the JGNC nationals. “It’ll be good to see them,” she said.

Two hours of the finals will be televised in prime time on the Golf Channel. Brockstedt experienced televised golf when she tied for fourth place in the national Drive Chip & Putt championship at Augusta National Golf Club in 2018.

The Brockstedts are active members of Kings Creek Country Club, so I predict the TVs at the club will be tuned to the Golf Channel in mid-November.

Gallagher wins Rookery Club Championship

Congratulations to Tim Gallagher of Lewes for winning his second straight Men’s Division Club Championship at The Rookery Aug. 1-2, played at both North and South courses. The retired Delaware state trooper won by five strokes over Todd French, with John Cole in third place one stroke further back.

Mike Poulis won the Seniors division, with Bob Viscount in second and Thomas Rudden in third.

Mike Hughes came in first in the B flight, with Peter Napolitano in second. Mike Foster won the C flight followed by Steve Walters in second.

Jim Sanitate won the net competition, with Gene Burdine taking second. Dale Jarrell finished third net and Sid Simon came in fourth net.

Two aces at Mulligan’s Pointe

Tim Coar of Georgetown made his eighth hole in one on July 3 at Mulligan’s Pointe. The Georgetown senior aced the 132-yard sixth hole.

Not to be outdone, Russell Fink of Milton made his second career ace on Aug. 15, at the same hole and from the same yardage.

Mulligan’s Pointe Lucky Cup Open 

Mulligan’s Pointe will hold its third Lucky Cup Open Tuesday, Sept. 22, open to members and nonmembers with an established USGA handicap. The entry fee of $65 members and $75 nonmembers covers the golf, cart, practice balls at the range, prizes and an awards luncheon. It can be paid the day of the event.

The two divisions, men’s and women’s, use the same 18-hole stroke play format. The champions will be determined by net scores, although prizes for low gross will also be awarded.

To register, go to Mulliganspointe.com or call the golf shop at 302-856-3363.

Local club competition results

The Mulligan’s Pointe Ladies 18-hole group played a net 9 Hardest Holes game Aug. 18, won by Karen Feuchtenberger. Carmela Boyle came in second and Rhetta Rose Frampton finished third.

The Kings Creek CC Ladies 18-hole group played a Three Blind Mice game Aug. 13, in which the three best scores were taken off the total.

Donna Deely won first-place gross in the first flight, with Jeannine Doane winning first-place net. Erin Rein took second net and Gale DiBona finished third net.

Nancy Froome won first-place gross for the second flight, and Barbara Hines won first-place net. Carol Simon finished second net and Linda Outlaw came in third net.

Joanne Yurik won first-place gross in the third flight, with Yona Zucker winning first-place net. Carol Loewen took second net and Susan Griesemer finished third net.