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| Wilmington's Randy Mitchell (left) is congratulated by clubmate Steve Walczak after his win. |
Wilmington’s Mitchell hangs on for 46th Senior Amateur title
MALVERN, Pa.– The Senior Amateur Championship trophy will call Wilmington Country Club home for another season. Randy Mitchell stepped into the GAP Senior winner’s circle on Wednesday, joining his clubmate and 2015 titleholder Steve Walczak, for the first time.
| Scorecards |
Super-Senior recap |
History |
Day 2 video |
Senior Silver Cross standings |
Super-Senior Silver Cross standings |
It was a wire-to-wire win for the newly-crowned Mitchell. Despite a late surge from Lu Lu Country Club’s Glenn Smeraglio, he achieved something he didn’t think was possible Wednesday at White Manor Country Club (par 71, 6,577 yards). Today’s 1-over-par 72, combined with yesterday’s 1-under 70 (142 total), earned Mitchell the hardware.
“I thought I would do well this week, but I didn’t think I was going to win. It really means a lot. It’s the biggest tournament I’ve ever won, by far,” said Mitchell. “I was a little nervous today, and this is a big win for me.”
It was a statement win for Mitchell, who just turned 55 this season. It was also a statement win for Wilmington as a club.
“The best thing about Randy, it’s not that he’s just a great player, he’s a great person. That’s why I love being a member with him at Wilmington, and we’re very happy to keep this title at our club,” said Walczak, 59, of Greenville, Del. “I’m really excited for him. He’s been a really good player for some time, but before you turn 55, it’s really tough to win golf tournaments. It’s great that he now has that opportunity to show how good he is.”
Mitchell seized what he considered the biggest opportunity of his golfing career, starting with eight straight pars. None were flashy, yet none damaged the one-shot lead he held over Honeybrook Golf Club’s Craig Kliewer heading into Day 2.
“I was getting the ball in the hole. That was an important start for me. I knew if I could keep it around par on the day, that would be enough because everyone had to come from behind to beat me,” he said.
The first bogey blemish of the day came eventually on No. 9 (par 4, 390 yards). A sprayed-tee shot resulted in a Mitchell punch out, chip shot and a missed par attempt from 10 feet. He fell back to even overall.
The leaking would be stopped rather quickly thanks to a 15-foot uphill birdie that Mitchell jarred on No. 11 (par 5, 519 yards). He then traded another birdie, after another 15-foot look, on No. 14 (par 3, 190 yards) with two bogeys on Nos. 13 (par 4, 454 yards) and 15 (par 4, 323 yards). Mitchell headed into the last three holes without much knowledge of Smeraglio’s sudden surge, which included four impressive birdies on the incoming nine.
“I thought I had a two or three shot lead (which was actually just one), so I wasn’t really making birdies,” said Mitchell, of Wilmington, Del. “I was only really aware on the second shot of the last hole when I asked an official. I was nervous and just really wanted to get to the clubhouse.”
He preceded to safely place his 6-iron approach to 20 feet on No. 18 (par 4, 400 yards). A steady two-putt led to the title-clinching par.
Mitchell never sunk below the even-par line for the championship. Equipped with his newest crown and medalist honors, which he earned in last week’s U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier at Cedarbrook Country Club, he’ll head to the national championship with all the momentum the GAP world has to offer.
“I felt more pressure today more than ever. This is the biggest tournament I’ve ever played in, so I think it’s going to help me [in the U.S. Senior Amateur],” said Mitchell. “Now, I really want to make match play. I think the way I’ve been playing, I should be able to do that.”
All was not lost for Smeraglio despite coming up just a stroke short. He took home the Senior Silver Cross Award, which is awarded to the player with the lowest aggregate score in the Warner Cup (Gross), Chapman (Gross) and Senior Amateur, with a total score of 290 in those events.
“I would have liked to get the win today, but second place isn't bad. [The Silver Cross] is always important to me because it’s over the length of the year, not just one tournament,” said Smeraglio, of Newtown, Pa. “I’m happy about that. It turned out well.”
It marks Smeraglio’s first Senior Silver Cross and fourth overall. The 56-year-old took home the Silver Cross Award in 2000-01 and 2008.
Golf Association of Philadelphia
Founded in 1897, the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) is the oldest regional golf association in the United States and serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. Its 151 Member Clubs and 57,000 individual members are spread across parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. As Philadelphia’s Most Trusted Source of Golf Information, the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
|
Overall
|
|
Name,
club
|
R1-R2–Total
|
|
Randy
Mitchell, Wilmington Country Club
|
70-72–142
|
|
Glenn
Smeraglio, Lu Lu Country Club
|
72-71–143
|
|
Raymond
Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
|
75-70–145
|
|
Craig
Kliewer, Honeybrook Golf Club
|
71-76–147
|
|
Greg
Guyer, Ph.D., Philadelphia Cricket Club
|
74-74–148
|
|
Kenneth
Phillips, Lancaster Country Club
|
72-76–148
|
|
Bert
Kosup, The Ridge at Back Brook
|
72-76–148
|
|
Thomas
Bartolacci, Jr., Saucon Valley Country Club
|
77-72–149
|
|
David
West, Whitford Country Club
|
73-77–150
|
|
Joseph
Russo, Laurel Creek Country Club
|
77-73–150
|
|
Doug
Fedoryshyn, Concord Country Club
|
74-78–152
|
|
Steven
Walczak, Wilmington Country Club
|
73-79–152
|
|
Brian
Rothaus, Five Ponds Golf Club
|
76-76–152
|
|
John
Alterman, Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
77-76–153
|
|
Michael
Vassil, Country Club of Scranton
|
75-78–153
|
|
Andy
Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
|
75-78–153
|
|
Rich
Thon, The Springhaven Club
|
76-77–153
|
|
Christopher
Lange, Overbrook Golf Club
|
75-79–154
|
|
Jeff
Poet, Country Club of York
|
76-78–154
|
|
Chris
Smedley, Hartefeld National
|
78-77–155
|
|
Brian
Corbett, Huntsville Golf Club
|
80-76–156
|
|
Frank
Kovalcheck, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
|
78-78–156
|
|
Jim
Yenser, Raven's Claw Golf Club
|
79-77–156
|
|
Joseph
Lewis, Aronimink Golf Club
|
77-79–156
|
|
Joseph
Roeder, Little Mill Country Club
|
83-73–156
|
|
Michael
Quinn, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
77-79–156
|
|
Byron
Whitman, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
79-78–157
|
|
Gregory
Day, Old York Road Country Club
|
86-71–157
|
|
John
LeBoeuf, Philadelphia Country Club
|
83-74–157
|
|
Thomas
Finn, Loch Nairn Golf Club
|
78-79–157
|
|
Bob
Beck, Lehigh Country Club
|
82-76–158
|
|
Gregory
Buliga, Yardley Country Club
|
80-78–158
|
|
Hee
Yoo, Skippack GC at Evansburg State Park
|
78-80–158
|
|
Pete
Widdoes, White Clay Creek Country Club
|
78-80–158
|
|
Robert
Wagner, Merion Golf Club
|
81-77–158
|
|
Thomas
Humphrey, Wilmington Country Club
|
83-75–158
|
|
Buck
Jones, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
75-84–159
|
|
Christopher
Clauson, Lu Lu Country Club
|
81-78–159
|
|
Mark
Quigley, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
|
78-81–159
|
|
Bruce
Clifford, Bensalem Township Country Club
|
81-79–160
|
|
David
Folkes, Metedeconk National Golf Club
|
80-81–161
|
|
Jeffrey
Allen, Wild Quail Golf & Country Club
|
79-82–161
|
|
Thomas
Soares, Lehigh Country Club
|
81-80–161
|
|
Steve
Dionisio, Jericho National Golf Club
|
81-80–161
|
|
John
Robinson, Lu Lu Country Club
|
80-82–162
|
|
Michael
Fagan, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
|
80-82–162
|
|
Robert
Harrington, Merion Golf Club
|
80-82–162
|
|
Stephen
Viola, Sr., Golf Course at Glen Mills
|
83-79–162
|
|
James
Prendergast, Bellewood Country Club
|
80-82–162
|
|
Robert
Dietrich, Loch Nairn Golf Club
|
81-81–162
|
|
Tom
Krug, Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
80-83–163
|
|
Ed
Chylinski, Chester Valley Golf Club
|
77-86–163
|
|
Wayne
Bartolacci, Jericho National Golf Club
|
77-86–163
|
|
Andrew
Sterge, Applebrook Golf Club
|
78-86–164
|
|
Steven
Lucas, White Manor Country Club
|
83-81–164
|
|
Bob
Majczan, Lookaway Golf Club
|
86-78–164
|
|
Drew
Panebianco, Five Ponds Golf Club
|
84-80–164
|
|
Roc
Irey, Lookaway Golf Club
|
80-84–164
|
|
Larry
Martone, Stonewall
|
79-86–165
|
|
Richard
Atcavage, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
|
82-83–165
|
|
Steve
Ebersole, The Ridge at Back Brook
|
83-82–165
|
|
Ed
Kahn, Little Mill Country Club
|
80-86–166
|
|
Frank
Corrado, Jr., Jericho National Golf Club
|
81-85–166
|
|
Jim
Gavaghan, Jericho National Golf Club
|
81-85–166
|
|
Phil
Remig, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
|
86-80–166
|
|
Scott
Orr, Bellewood Country Club
|
81-85–166
|
|
Gerald
Henderson, Blue Bell Country Club
|
82-84–166
|
|
John
Gonsior, Limekiln Golf Club
|
83-83–166
|
|
Pierce
Herbst, Sea Oaks Golf Club
|
83-83–166
|
|
Alan
Lazzarino, DuPont Country Club
|
86-81–167
|
|
Johan
Scholdstrom, RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve
|
85-82–167
|
|
Michael
Moser, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
|
88-79–167
|
|
Oscar
Mestre, Overbrook Golf Club
|
82-85–167
|
|
Gary
E. Daniels, Applebrook Golf Club
|
81-86–167
|
|
Bill
Boyle, Metedeconk National Golf Club
|
81-87–168
|
|
Graham
Desmond, Golf Course at Glen Mills
|
81-87–168
|
|
Patrick
Cahill, III, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
|
82-86–168
|
|
George
Connell, Jr., Gulph Mills Golf Club
|
90-79–169
|
|
Thomas
Schaible, Chester Valley Golf Club
|
84-85–169
|
|
Brian
Fiala, Concord Country Club
|
87-84–171
|
|
John
Vergari, Tavistock Country Club
|
88-83–171
|
|
Tom
Coffey, Chester Valley Golf Club
|
85-86–171
|
|
Joe
Duhack, Lu Lu Country Club
|
83-89–172
|
|
Ted
Matthews, Lu Lu Country Club
|
87-86–173
|
|
Jon
Stein, McCall Golf & Country Club
|
88-87–175
|
|
Damian
Anzaldo, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
|
92-84–176
|
|
William
Hogan, Makefield Highlands Golf Club
|
86-91–177
|
|
Robert
Cannon, Blue Bell Country Club
|
91-87–178
|
|
Steve
Wells, Moorestown Field Club
|
92-90–182
|
|
Brian
Trymbiski, Doylestown Country Club
|
87-96–183
|
|
Mike
Schuster, Chester Valley Golf Club
|
92-93–185
|
|
Gary
Yeager, Philadelphia Cricket Club
|
94-92–186
|
|
Jeffrey
Pelesh, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
91-100–191
|
|
David
Miller, Running Deer Golf Club
|
102-94–196
|
|
John
Ward, Greate Bay Country Club
|
87-NS–NS
|
|
Buddy
Reed, Wild Quail Golf & Country Club
|
82-WD–WD
|
|
Mark
Martin, Mercer Oaks Golf Course
|
97-WD–WD
|
|
Scott
McIntosh, Makefield Highlands Golf Club
|
86-WD–WD
|
|
James
Muller, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
|
76-WD–WD
|
|
Steve
Meyer, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
88-WD–WD
|
| |
|
Ages
55-59
|
|
Name,
club
|
R1-R2–Total
|
|
Randy
Mitchell, Wilmington Country Club
|
70-72–142
|
|
Glenn
Smeraglio, Lu Lu Country Club
|
72-71–143
|
|
Craig
Kliewer, Honeybrook Golf Club
|
71-76–147
|
|
Greg
Guyer, Ph.D., Philadelphia Cricket Club
|
74-74–148
|
|
Kenneth
Phillips, Lancaster Country Club
|
72-76–148
|
|
David
West, Whitford Country Club
|
73-77–150
|
|
Joseph
Russo, Laurel Creek Country Club
|
77-73–150
|
|
Doug
Fedoryshyn, Concord Country Club
|
74-78–152
|
|
Steven
Walczak, Wilmington Country Club
|
73-79–152
|
|
John
Alterman, Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
77-76–153
|
|
Michael
Vassil, Country Club of Scranton
|
75-78–153
|
|
Chris
Smedley, Hartefeld National
|
78-77–155
|
|
Brian
Corbett, Huntsville Golf Club
|
80-76–156
|
|
Frank
Kovalcheck, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
|
78-78–156
|
|
Jim
Yenser, Raven's Claw Golf Club
|
79-77–156
|
|
Joseph
Lewis, Aronimink Golf Club
|
77-79–156
|
|
Joseph
Roeder, Little Mill Country Club
|
83-73–156
|
|
Byron
Whitman, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
79-78–157
|
|
Gregory
Day, Old York Road Country Club
|
86-71–157
|
|
John
LeBoeuf, Philadelphia Country Club
|
83-74–157
|
|
Thomas
Finn, Loch Nairn Golf Club
|
78-79–157
|
|
Bob
Beck, Lehigh Country Club
|
82-76–158
|
|
Gregory
Buliga, Yardley Country Club
|
80-78–158
|
|
Hee
Yoo, Skippack GC at Evansburg State Park
|
78-80–158
|
|
Bruce
Clifford, Bensalem Township Country Club
|
81-79–160
|
|
David
Folkes, Metedeconk National Golf Club
|
80-81–161
|
|
Jeffrey
Allen, Wild Quail Golf & Country Club
|
79-82–161
|
|
Thomas
Soares, Lehigh Country Club
|
81-80–161
|
|
John
Robinson, Lu Lu Country Club
|
80-82–162
|
|
Michael
Fagan, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
|
80-82–162
|
|
Robert
Harrington, Merion Golf Club
|
80-82–162
|
|
Stephen
Viola, Sr., Golf Course at Glen Mills
|
83-79–162
|
|
Tom
Krug, Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
80-83–163
|
|
Andrew
Sterge, Applebrook Golf Club
|
78-86–164
|
|
Steven
Lucas, White Manor Country Club
|
83-81–164
|
|
Larry
Martone, Stonewall
|
79-86–165
|
|
Richard
Atcavage, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
|
82-83–165
|
|
Steve
Ebersole, The Ridge at Back Brook
|
83-82–165
|
|
Ed
Kahn, Little Mill Country Club
|
80-86–166
|
|
Frank
Corrado, Jr., Jericho National Golf Club
|
81-85–166
|
|
Jim
Gavaghan, Jericho National Golf Club
|
81-85–166
|
|
Phil
Remig, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
|
86-80–166
|
|
Scott
Orr, Bellewood Country Club
|
81-85–166
|
|
Alan
Lazzarino, DuPont Country Club
|
86-81–167
|
|
Johan
Scholdstrom, RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve
|
85-82–167
|
|
Michael
Moser, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
|
88-79–167
|
|
Oscar
Mestre, Overbrook Golf Club
|
82-85–167
|
|
Bill
Boyle, Metedeconk National Golf Club
|
81-87–168
|
|
Graham
Desmond, Golf Course at Glen Mills
|
81-87–168
|
|
Patrick
Cahill, III, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
|
82-86–168
|
|
George
Connell, Jr., Gulph Mills Golf Club
|
90-79–169
|
|
Brian
Fiala, Concord Country Club
|
87-84–171
|
|
Joe
Duhack, Lu Lu Country Club
|
83-89–172
|
|
Ted
Matthews, Lu Lu Country Club
|
87-86–173
|
|
Damian
Anzaldo, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
|
92-84–176
|
|
William
Hogan, Makefield Highlands Golf Club
|
86-91–177
|
|
Robert
Cannon, Blue Bell Country Club
|
91-87–178
|
|
Brian
Trymbiski, Doylestown Country Club
|
87-96–183
|
|
Jeffrey
Pelesh, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
91-100–191
|
|
Buddy
Reed, Wild Quail Golf & Country Club
|
82-WD–WD
|
|
John
Ward, Greate Bay Country Club
|
87-NS–NS
|
|
Mark
Martin, Mercer Oaks Golf Course
|
97-WD–WD
|
|
Scott
McIntosh, Makefield Highlands Golf Club
|
86-WD–WD
|
| |
|
Ages
60 & over
|
|
Name,
club
|
R1-R2–Total
|
|
Raymond
Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
|
75-70–145
|
|
Bert
Kosup, The Ridge at Back Brook
|
72-76–148
|
|
Thomas
Bartolacci, Jr., Saucon Valley Country Club
|
77-72–149
|
|
Brian
Rothaus, Five Ponds Golf Club
|
76-76–152
|
|
Andy
Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
|
75-78–153
|
|
Rich
Thon, The Springhaven Club
|
76-77–153
|
|
Christopher
Lange, Overbrook Golf Club
|
75-79–154
|
|
Jeff
Poet, Country Club of York
|
76-78–154
|
|
Michael
Quinn, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
77-79–156
|
|
Pete
Widdoes, White Clay Creek Country Club
|
78-80–158
|
|
Robert
Wagner, Merion Golf Club
|
81-77–158
|
|
Thomas
Humphrey, Wilmington Country Club
|
83-75–158
|
|
Buck
Jones, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
75-84–159
|
|
Christopher
Clauson, Lu Lu Country Club
|
81-78–159
|
|
Mark
Quigley, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
|
78-81–159
|
|
Steve
Dionisio, Jericho National Golf Club
|
81-80–161
|
|
James
Prendergast, Bellewood Country Club
|
80-82–162
|
|
Robert
Dietrich, Loch Nairn Golf Club
|
81-81–162
|
|
Ed
Chylinski, Chester Valley Golf Club
|
77-86–163
|
|
Wayne
Bartolacci, Jericho National Golf Club
|
77-86–163
|
|
Bob
Majczan, Lookaway Golf Club
|
86-78–164
|
|
Drew
Panebianco, Five Ponds Golf Club
|
84-80–164
|
|
Roc
Irey, Lookaway Golf Club
|
80-84–164
|
|
Gerald
Henderson, Blue Bell Country Club
|
82-84–166
|
|
John
Gonsior, Limekiln Golf Club
|
83-83–166
|
|
Pierce
Herbst, Sea Oaks Golf Club
|
83-83–166
|
|
Gary
E. Daniels, Applebrook Golf Club
|
81-86–167
|
|
Thomas
Schaible, Chester Valley Golf Club
|
84-85–169
|
|
John
Vergari, Tavistock Country Club
|
88-83–171
|
|
Tom
Coffey, Chester Valley Golf Club
|
85-86–171
|
|
Jon
Stein, McCall Golf & Country Club
|
88-87–175
|
|
Steve
Wells, Moorestown Field Club
|
92-90–182
|
|
Mike
Schuster, Chester Valley Golf Club
|
92-93–185
|
|
Gary
Yeager, Philadelphia Cricket Club
|
94-92–186
|
|
David
Miller, Running Deer Golf Club
|
102-94–196
|
|
James
Muller, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
|
76-WD–WD
|
|
Steve
Meyer, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
88-WD–WD
|
| |
|
NS-no
show; WD-withdrawal
|
|
