Sussex Academy thumps Cape in Seahawks’ season finale

The Sussex Academy golf team turned aside a challenge from Cape Region friends, neighbors and rivals at Cape Henlopen May 12, defeating the Vikings 145-191 at Kings Creek Country Club.

Sarah Lydic won medalist with her 33 on the front nine, four strokes ahead of her sister Hannah and Sawyer Brockstedt. Austin Dostal shot a fine 38.

Ethan Mercer led the Vikings with his 44, followed by Jacob Gabbard (47), Jeremy Trost (49) and Seth Reynolds (51).

On May 9, the Seahawks traveled to Mulligan’s Pointe, defeating Sussex Central 162-202 and a solo golfer from Woodbridge 162-300. Sarah Lydic’s 36 won medalist, followed by Brockstedt (38), Dominic Piperno (43) and Dostal (45).

The Seahawks finished their match season at 15-1.

Vikings finish match season with a flourish

Coming off the May 12 loss to Sussex Academy, the Cape Henlopen golf team finished its regular season at 14-4 in a Senior Day match May 17 at Rehoboth Beach Country Club against Padua Academy of Wilmington, winning 170-223.

It was the Vikings’ best score of the season and its best winning score. For the first time, all five Cape seniors competed, along with junior Ethan Mercer.

Mercer won medalist with his 41. Jeremy Trost’s 42 was his best score for Cape. Co-captains Tom Burn (43) and Seth Reynolds (44) completed the team total. Flynn Kalb (46) and Dylan Steinwedel (47) were the fifth and sixth scores. Padua’s Ella Aghajanian led the Pandas with her 47.

The Vikings had defeated Indian River 184-201 at RBCC May 11, in challenging conditions. Co-captain Tom Burn won medalist with his 42, followed by Mercer (46), Flynn Kalb (47) and Trost (49).

Televised Fling Golf event at American Classic

American Classic Golf Club will host the very first World Fling Golf Tournament May 21-22.

Fling Golf uses a Fling Stick to throw regulation golf balls, replacing the usual golf clubs on the course. The device looks like a lacrosse stick, but with a little hood on it for the ball. Players uses a lacrosse motion to throw the ball. American Classic rents Fling Sticks at its pro shop. 

ESPN will film the event. In addition to the Swarm Fling Golf Open, there will also be a Longest Fling Shot Championship. American Classic staff will be among the contestants.

Parking is reserved for the competitors at the course, but Heritage Inn graciously made its lot across the street available for overflow parking for spectators.

Food trucks and the American Classic café will handle food and beverage service for the weekend. There will also be an after party featuring the band Can’t Fool the Blues.

Call American Classic for more information at 302-703-6662.

DIAA State Championship coming soon

At this point, Sussex Academy and Cape are the only Sussex County teams to qualify for the state high school golf championship set for May 31-June 1 at Odessa National.

May 21 is the last day for any matches to count toward qualifying. The final group of 96 players won’t be determined until then.

Schools can field up to six qualifiers, with a minimum of four golfers required for the team competition. At least three players from a school must make the cut after the first round to stay in the hunt for the team trophy.

A few schools have more than six golfers on the current list of 96. Their coaches will have to select who will play and who won’t.

The DIAA championship rules for 2022 included a welcome change to the handicap system to determine who qualifies. For every five recorded scores, the worst score is eliminated from the calculation. For 10 scores, the worst two scores are tossed.

Last year, all scores were used, which was harsher than necessary considering the usually wretched spring weather when the season begins.

Local club competition results

The Rehoboth Beach CC 18-Hole Ladies played their opening-day scramble May 18. Trish Medd, Kerry Lockwood and Carole Ann Medd won first-place gross.

Kim Stockson, Shelby Moore, Pris DeSena and Sharon Emerson won first-place net. Dale Lipnick, Peggy Roca and Pauline Porter took second net, followed by Jeanne Allan, Julie Burton and Cyndy Simeone.

The Mulligan’s Pointe Ladies 18-Hole group played a Two Best Balls of Four game May 17.

Janet Bowersox, Karen Palermo and Dottie Pope won first place. Donna Dolce, Kathy Hudak, Brenda Joyce and Wendy Michaelson took second.

The Kings Creek CC Ladies 18-Hole group played a Far-Out game May 12.

Winnie Sewell won first-place gross in the first flight, with Debbie Grant in first-place gross for the second flight.

Melanie Pereira won first net in the first flight, followed by Robbie Monkman. Carol Loewen took first net in the second flight, with Polly Donaldson in second.

The Kings Creek CC Ladies 9-Hole group played May 9 in two flights in gross and net categories.

Dot Filbert won first-place gross in the first flight. Brenda Schilli won first gross in the second flight.

Deb Chase won first net in the first flight, with Yona Zucker in second and Chris Emery in third. Patty Quercetti won first net in the second flight, with Stephanie Roash in second and Donna Romer in third.