Deeg Sezna Four-Ball message strong in year three
AVONDALE, Pa.-The Deeg Sezna Four-Ball may be in its infancy stage as a tournament, but its message has resonated for centuries – it’s the responsibility of the older generation to pass down its knowledge and good sense to its younger counterparts.
Davis "Deeg" Sezna, Jr., the oldest of three brothers, did that for his younger siblings Teddy and Willy. When he died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, the Golf Association of Philadelphia and Davis Sezna, Sr., established The Deeg Sezna Four-Ball, A Salute to Mentors, to memorialize his name.
Monday at Hartefeld National (par 72, 6,404 yards), the third annual Deeg Sezna Four-Ball Tournament was held. Unique in its format, the Deeg pairs a junior and an amateur together in a better-ball competition with a minimum age difference of 10 years. Also, one partner has to be 21 years of age or younger.
The goal: to give the older sect a chance to spend some quality time with generation next.
"Deeg was one of my biggest mentors. He was always there to keep me on track and make sure I was doing well," said Willy Sezna in a note presented to each competitor last year. "But most importantly, he taught me the meaning of respect. He taught me to respect myself, others, and life itself. So, today, as I thank Deeg for mentoring me, I ask you to take a moment and thank your own mentor for caring."
At the time of his passing, Deeg Sezna, an avid golfer himself, was a vibrant personality who just graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in economics. Driven by new challenges, he was in his sixth day of work for Sandler and O'Neill Partners on the 104th Floor of the South Tower when terrorists flew jetliners into the WTC.
It’s impossible to fully understand the pain in Davis Sezna’s heart, he also lost his youngest son, Teddy, in a boating accident in the summer of 2000, but Brian Rothaus of Philmont CC and Huntingdon Valley, Pa., has an idea of the hurt.
Rothaus, 48, has lost two siblings.
On this day, he and son Zach, 15, played together.
"Davis was a good guy and this is a nice thing to do to represent his children," said the elder Rothaus, "and any chance you get to play with your son is great."
Oscar Mestre, Jr. of Overbrook GC lost an older brother, and mentor, to a heart condition when he was 8 years old.
On this day, Mestre, 44, of Berwyn, Pa., was doing his part to pass his life experiences on. He teamed up with his nephew, John Sylvia, 19, of Gladwyne, Pa. Sylvia acts as Mestre’s regular caddie in GAP events, and more importantly, a student of his older partner’s ways.
"I wholeheartedly support the concept [of this tournament]," said Mestre. "Along the way, and John caddies for me all the time, I’ve seen him develop a thought process and comportment and just doing things right."
This year’s runner-ups were a prime example of what the Deeg represents.
Kevin Reap, 20, of Ewing, N.J., started caddying for Gary Roberts, 36, of Lawrenceville, N.J., when he was 13 years old. They’ve been close friends ever since. In fact, Roberts named one of his three sons after Kevin.
"[Considering] the purpose and the people, this is a perfect event for us," said Roberts. "It’s something we looking forward to."
Results
On this hot and humid day, Robert Silsbe and Steve Walton of Downingtown CC fired a scorching 8-under-par 64, two shots better than the rest of the field to take the Deeg-Sezna Four-Ball overall title.
Silsbe, 53, of Chester Springs, Pa., and Walton, 18, of West Chester, Pa., carded nine birdies and one bogey en route to the championship in the better-ball event. Walton birdied the last three holes to finish with a 68.
Teams were grouped by age and combined handicap index.
A full field of 192 players, 96 teams, exchanged ideas on today. Ideas, hopefully, that’ll be passed on year after year.
**Teams only eligible to place in one division**
Gross Division
Overall |
Name |
Club |
Total |
Silsbe, Robert / Walton, Steve |
Downingtown CC |
64 |
|
Junior First Flight |
|
|
Name |
Club |
Total |
Silsbe, Robert / Walton, Steve |
Downingtown CC |
64 |
Rose, Michael / Chipin, Eric |
Ashbourne CC/Philmont CC |
66 |
Lebow, Mike / Douglas, Mark |
Spring Ford CC |
67 |
Gill, Parker / Achenbach, Andrew |
Merion GC/Lu Lu CC |
67 |
Lansinger, Peter / Howson, Jr., John Y. |
St. Davids GC (2) |
67 |
Hyland, Thomas / McCarty, Ryan |
Little Mill CC |
68 |
Kaspar, Christopher R. / Danner, Mike |
Lu Lu CC |
68 |
Mestre, Jr., Oscar L. / Sylvia, John |
Overbrook GC |
68 |
Wallace, Jamie / Walker, Mark S. |
Moorestown Field Club/ Laurel Creek CC |
69 |
Durkin, Dennis / Devlin, Patrick |
Whitemarsh Valley CC/Unaffiliated |
70 |
Donofrio, Jerry / Galbreath, Jr., Robert |
Sandy Run CC/Huntingdon Valley CC |
70 |
Ryder, Nick / Early, Brian H. |
Aronimink GC/Overbrook GC |
70 |
Creghan, Brian / Deakins, Jay |
Plymouth CC/St. Davids GC |
70 |
McFadden, Francis J. / Sylvia, Robert |
Overbrook GC (2) |
70 |
Scanlon, Kevin M. / Rugg, Patrick |
Stonewall/Rolling Green GC |
72 |
Guaraldo, Drew / Pechin, Kevin |
Waynesborough CC/Downingtown CC |
72 |
Marabella, Richard / Blechschmidt, Ed |
Whitemarsh Valley CC |
72 |
Sutherland, Nathan / Capozello, Jr., Lawrence |
Berkshire CC |
76 |
Boris, James / Boris, Andrew |
Whitmarsh Valley CC/Flourtown GC |
81 |
Cicalese, Chris / Cicalese, Michael |
Medford Village CC/Unaffiliated |
90 |
|
Junior Second Flight |
Name |
Club |
Total |
*1. Walsh, Greg / Walsh, P. Chet |
Philadelphia CC |
68 |
Reap, Kevin / Roberts, Gary |
Trenton CC |
68 |
Ryder, David Stover / Early, Jason |
Aronimnk GC/Overbrook GC |
70 |
Klagholz, Tim / Klagholz, Martin |
Applebrook GC/Rolling Green GC |
71 |
Leslie, Peter / Agnew, Mark |
Rolling Green GC/Hartefeld National |
71 |
Ryder, Samuel / Elliott, Thomas |
Aronimink GC (5) |
72 |
Hall, Jeffrey / Hall, J.D. |
Merion GC |
72 |
Meehan, Jack / Chapman, Donald |
Moorestown Field Club/Riverton CC |
73 |
Bernstein, Jason / Barsky, Sam |
White Manor CC |
73 |
Keilman, Douglas / Staib, Lance |
Deerfield Golf & Tennis Club |
73 |
Muller, Maximillian / Karff, Andy |
Maufacturers GCC/Philmont CC |
74 |
Givens, Bill / Taraschi, David |
Merchantville CC |
74 |
Barrett, Michael / Cameron, Alex |
Merchantville CC (2) |
75 |
OBrien, James J / Genuardi, Kevin |
Cedarbrook CC |
76 |
Forster, Greg / Dolan, Lawrence |
Sandy Run CC (3) |
76 |
Dulka, Joe / Dulka, Joe |
DuPont CC |
78 |
Hussey, Joseph P / Bonaduce, John |
Lu Lu CC/Unaffiliated |
78 |
Bernard, Charles / Bevilaqua, Mario |
Aronimink GC/Pheonixville CC |
80 |
|
Junior Third Flight |
Name |
Club |
Total |
1. Rothaus, Brian / Rothaus, Zach |
Philmont CC |
69 |
Serbun, Lucas / Galbreath, Sr., Robert |
Sandy Run CC/Philmont CC |
70 |
Waldron, Jeffrey / Dunphy, Jr., Mike |
Torresdale-Frankford CC |
71 |
Seufer, Joseph / Seufer, Trevor |
Stonewall |
73 |
Borowsky, Larry / Berger, Brian |
White Manor CC (2) |
74 |
Pelesh, Jeffrey / Gropp, Bill |
Edgemont CC/Golf Course at Glen Mills |
75 |
Villari, Anthony / Villari, Jr., Phillip F. |
Riverton CC |
75 |
Loughery, Michael / Morell, Josh |
Sandy Run CC (2) |
75 |
Hussey, J.P. / Hussey, Thomas M |
Lu Lu CC/Rolling Green GC (2) |
75 |
Cicalese, Rennie / Cicalese, Ren |
Medford Village CC |
76 |
Bernard, Bob / Bernard, Joe |
Bellport CC/Aronimink GC |
76 |
Wiley, Brian / Patton, John M. |
Sandy Run CC/Melrose CC |
76 |
DeLuca, Nicholas / Pesci, Baron |
Yardley CC (3) |
77 |
Gannon, Patrick / Gannon, Jr., Thomas |
Cedarbrook CC/Whitemarsh Valley CC |
78 |
Deakins, Scott / Aiken, Thomas |
St. Davids GC |
79 |
Guarino, Beau / Guarino, Jr., Vincent |
Burlington CC |
80 |
Logue, Kyle / Schmalbach, Bob |
Whitemarsh Valley CC/Unaffiliated |
81 |
Pesci, Matthew / Pesci, Dennis |
Yardley CC (2) |
81 |
McManus, Stephen / Foley, Thomas |
Aronimnk GC |
86 |
|
Junior Fourth Flight |
Name |
Club |
Total |
1. McNair, John / Hirsh, Max |
Wren Dale GC |
71 |
Smith, Greg / Brailsford, Christian |
Brandywine CC/Talamore at Oak Terrace CC |
72 |
Holland, Scott / Ellinger, Chris |
Whitford CC |
73 |
Van Ostenbridge, Dan / Van Ostenbridge, Matt |
Spring Ford CC (2) |
77 |
Duryea, Richard / Schaft, Eric |
Sandy Run CC |
77 |
Boucher, David / Ryan, Jeffrey |
Aronimink GC (3) |
78 |
Stopford, Jeffrey M / Stopford, Jared |
The Springhaven Club |
79 |
Smith, Jerome / Pembroke, Matt |
Hartefeld National/Deerfield Golf &Tennis Club |
79 |
Ruggieri, Steve / Ruggieri, Albert |
Rolling Green GC |
79 |
Callaghan, John / Callaghan, Drew |
Yardley CC |
80 |
Short, Adam / Bloom, Michael Jr. |
Brandywine CC/Fieldstone GC |
80 |
Logan, Chris / Hadzor, Paul |
Overbrook GC/Downingtown CC |
81 |
Ungrady, Tim / Pelesh, Neal |
Edgemont CC |
82 |
Brinton, James / Ryan, Christopher |
Aronimink GC (2) |
83 |
Palmer, John / Carrigan, Jim |
Chester Valley GC |
83 |
Redican, J. Stacey / Melvin, Patrick |
Sandy Run CC (4) |
83 |
Marder, Harold / Szczurowski, Andrew |
Lookaway GC/Unaffiliated |
84 |
Hussey, Christopher / Hussey, Joseph E |
Lu Lu CC/Rolling Green GC |
85 |
Kiely, III, Thomas / Ryan, Timothy |
Aronimink GC (4) |
88 |
Primavera, Fran / Kouch,Jr, Paul |
Talamore at Oak Terrace CC/Torresdale-Frankford CC |
88 |
|
Junior-Junior Flight |
Name |
Club |
Total |
1. Inman, Mark / Murphy, Jake |
Cherry Valley CC/Mercer Oaks |
69 |
Welsh, Patrick / Gregor, Douglas E. |
Huntingdon Valley CC |
70 |
Eichman, Connor / Glynn, Joseph P. |
Llanerch CC |
73 |
Inman, John / Byer, James |
Cherry Valley CC/Springdale |
74 |
Downey, Francis X. / Burns, Jonathan |
North Hills CC |
74 |
Ryan, Ned / Kiely, Maxwell |
Aronimink GC |
77 |
Lindstrom, Thomas / Taylor, Robert |
Riverton CC (2) |
77 |
Brown, Jeffrey / Brown, Eric |
West Chester GCC |
78 |
Conway, Garrett / Conway, Stephen |
Burlington CC (2) |
79 |
Schlenker, Erik / McRoberts, Eric |
Downingtown CC/Unaffiliated |
81 |
Coll, Daniel / Bernard, Daniel |
Talamore at Oak Terrace CC/Aronimink GC |
82 |
Stipa, Michael / Meehan, Mike |
Overbrook GC/Moorestown Field Club |
84 |
Palmer, Jeff / Carrigan, Brian |
Chester Valley GC |
85 |
Pitt, III, Thomas / Pitt, IV, Thomas |
West Chester GCC |
86 |
Schlenker, Martin / Wagner, Greg |
Downingtown CC/Unaffiliated |
93 |
|
*won in scorecard playoff |
Net Division
Overall |
Name |
Club |
Total |
Reap, Kevin / Roberts, Gary |
Trenton CC |
60 |
|
Junior First Flight |
Name |
|
Total |
Silsbe, Robert / Walton, Steve |
Downingtown CC |
60 |
1. Lansinger, Peter / Howson, Jr., John Y. |
St. Davids GC (2) |
63 |
Mestre, Jr., Oscar L. / Sylvia, John |
Overbrook GC |
64 |
Durkin, Dennis / Devlin, Patrick |
Whitemarsh Valley CC/Unaffiliated |
64 |
Rose, Michael / Chipin, Eric |
Ashbourne CC/Philmont CC |
65 |
Wallace, Jamie / Walker, Mark S. |
Moorestown Field Club/ Laurel Creek CC |
66 |
Creghan, Brian / Deakins, Jay |
Plymouth CC/St. Davids GC |
66 |
Hyland, Thomas / McCarty, Ryan |
Little Mill CC |
67 |
Kaspar, Christopher R. / Danner, Mike |
Lu Lu CC |
67 |
Donofrio, Jerry / Galbreath, Jr., Robert |
Sandy Run CC/Huntingdon Valley CC |
67 |
Ryder, Nick / Early, Brian H. |
Aronimink GC/Overbrook GC |
67 |
Lebow, Mike / Douglas, Mark |
Spring Ford CC |
68 |
Gill, Parker / Achenbach, Andrew |
Merion GC/Lu Lu CC |
68 |
McFadden, Francis J. / Sylvia, Robert |
Overbrook GC (2) |
68 |
Scanlon, Kevin M. / Rugg, Patrick |
Stonewall/Rolling Green GC |
70 |
Guaraldo, Drew / Pechin, Kevin |
Waynesborough CC/Downingtown CC |
70 |
Boris, James / Boris, Andrew |
Whitmarsh Valley CC/Flourtown GC |
70 |
Marabella, Richard / Blechschmidt, Ed |
Whitemarsh Valley CC |
73 |
Sutherland, Nathan / Capozello, Jr., Lawrence |
Berkshire CC |
73 |
Cicalese, Chris / Cicalese, Michael |
Medford Village CC/Unaffiliated |
79 |
|
Junior Second Flight |
Name |
|
Total |
Reap, Kevin / Roberts, Gary |
Trenton CC |
60 |
*1. Keilman, Douglas / Staib, Lance |
Deerfield Golf & Tennis Club |
65 |
Ryder, David Stover / Early, Jason |
Aronimnk GC/Overbrook GC |
65 |
Hall, Jeffrey / Hall, J.D. |
Merion GC |
65 |
Klagholz, Tim / Klagholz, Martin |
Applebrook GC/Rolling Green GC |
66 |
Leslie, Peter / Agnew, Mark |
Rolling Green GC/Hartefeld National |
66 |
Bernstein, Jason / Barsky, Sam |
White Manor CC |
66 |
Walsh, Greg / Walsh, P. Chet |
Philadelphia CC |
67 |
Ryder, Samuel / Elliott, Thomas |
Aronimink GC (5) |
67 |
Meehan, Jack / Chapman, Donald |
Moorestown Field Club/Riverton CC |
67 |
Muller, Maximillian / Karff, Andy |
Maufacturers G&CC/Philmont CC |
68 |
Givens, Bill / Taraschi, David |
Merchantville CC |
68 |
Barrett, Michael / Cameron, Alex |
Merchantville CC (2) |
70 |
Forster, Greg / Dolan, Lawrence |
Sandy Run CC (3) |
70 |
OBrien, James J / Genuardi, Kevin |
Cedarbrook CC |
71 |
Hussey, Joseph P / Bonaduce, John |
Lu Lu CC/Unaffiliated |
72 |
Dulka, Joe / Dulka, Joe |
DuPont CC |
73 |
Bernard, Charles / Bevilaqua, Mario |
Aronimink GC/Pheonixville CC |
78 |
|
Junior Third Flight |
Name |
|
Total |
*1. Waldron, Jeffrey / Dunphy, Jr., Mike |
Torresdale-Frankford CC |
63 |
Serbun, Lucas / Galbreath, Sr., Robert |
Sandy Run CC/Philmont CC |
63 |
Seufer, Joseph / Seufer, Trevor |
Stonewall |
63 |
Rothaus, Brian / Rothaus, Zach |
Philmont CC |
66 |
Villari, Anthony / Villari, Jr., Phillip F. |
Riverton CC |
66 |
Cicalese, Rennie / Cicalese, Ren |
Medford Village CC |
66 |
Borowsky, Larry / Berger, Brian |
White Manor CC (2) |
67 |
Loughery, Michael / Morell, Josh |
Sandy Run CC (2) |
67 |
Pelesh, Jeffrey / Gropp, Bill |
Edgemont CC/Golf Course at Glen Mills |
68 |
Hussey, J.P. / Hussey, Thomas M |
Lu Lu CC/Rolling Green GC (2) |
68 |
Bernard, Bob / Bernard, Joe |
Bellport CC/Aronimink GC |
68 |
DeLuca, Nicholas / Pesci, Baron |
Yardley CC (3) |
68 |
Gannon, Patrick / Gannon, Jr., Thomas |
Cedarbrook CC/Whitemarsh Valley CC |
68 |
Wiley, Brian / Patton, John M. |
Sandy Run CC/Melrose CC |
69 |
Guarino, Beau / Guarino, Jr., Vincent |
Burlington CC |
69 |
Pesci, Matthew / Pesci, Dennis |
Yardley CC (2) |
71 |
Deakins, Scott / Aiken, Thomas |
St. Davids GC |
72 |
Logue, Kyle / Schmalbach, Bob |
Whitemarsh Valley CC/Unaffiliated (2) |
72 |
McManus, Stephen / Foley, Thomas |
Aronimnk GC |
76 |
|
Junior Fourth Flight |
Name |
|
Total |
1. Smith, Greg / Brailsford, Christian |
Brandywine CC/Talamore at Oak Terrace CC |
61 |
Boucher, David / Ryan, Jeffrey |
Aronimink GC (3) |
63 |
McNair, John / Hirsh, Max |
Wren Dale GC |
64 |
Van Ostenbridge, Dan / Van Ostenbridge, Matt |
Spring Ford CC (2) |
64 |
Duryea, Richard / Schaft, Eric |
Sandy Run CC |
64 |
Palmer, John / Carrigan, Jim |
Chester Valley GC |
65 |
Stopford, Jeffrey M / Stopford, Jared |
The Springhaven Club |
66 |
Ruggieri, Steve / Ruggieri, Albert |
Rolling Green GC |
66 |
Logan, Chris / Hadzor, Paul |
Overbrook GC/Downingtown CC |
66 |
Holland, Scott / Ellinger, Chris |
Whitford CC |
67 |
Smith, Jerome / Pembroke, Matt |
Hartefeld National/Deerfield Golf & Tennis Club |
67 |
Callaghan, John / Callaghan, Drew |
Yardley CC |
67 |
Brinton, James / Ryan, Christopher |
Aronimink GC (2) |
67 |
Redican, J. Stacey / Melvin, Patrick |
Sandy Run CC (4) |
67 |
Short, Adam / Bloom, Michael Jr. |
Brandywine CC/Fieldstone GC |
69 |
Ungrady, Tim / Pelesh, Neal |
Edgemont CC |
69 |
Marder, Harold / Szczurowski, Andrew |
Lookaway GC/Unaffiliated |
70 |
Hussey, Christopher / Hussey, Joseph E |
Lu Lu CC/Rolling Green GC |
70 |
Kiely, III, Thomas / Ryan, Timothy |
Aronimink GC (4) |
72 |
Primavera, Fran / Kouch,Jr, Paul |
Talamore at Oak Terrace CC/Torresdale-Frankford CC |
76 |
|
Junior-Junior Flight |
Name |
|
Total |
1. Lindstrom, Thomas / Taylor, Robert |
Riverton CC (2) |
62 |
Downey, Francis X. / Burns, Jonathan |
North Hills CC |
63 |
Welsh, Patrick / Gregor, Douglas E. |
Huntingdon Valley CC |
64 |
Ryan, Ned / Kiely, Maxwell |
Aronimink GC |
65 |
Inman, Mark / Murphy, Jake |
Cherry Valley CC/Mercer Oaks |
66 |
Eichman, Connor / Glynn, Joseph P. |
Llanerch CC |
66 |
Inman, John / Byer, James |
Cherry Valley CC/Springdale |
66 |
Brown, Jeffrey / Brown, Eric |
West Chester GCC |
66 |
Stipa, Michael / Meehan, Mike |
Overbrook GC/Moorestown Field Club |
68 |
Conway, Garrett / Conway, Stephen |
Burlington CC (2) |
70 |
Schlenker, Erik / McRoberts, Eric |
Downingtown CC/Unaffiliated |
70 |
Coll, Daniel / Bernard, Daniel |
Talamore at Oak Terrace CC/Aronimink GC |
70 |
Palmer, Jeff / Carrigan, Brian |
Chester Valley GC (2) |
72 |
Pitt, III, Thomas / Pitt, IV, Thomas |
West Chester GCC (2) |
73 |
Schlenker, Martin / Wagner, Greg |
Downingtown CC/Unaffiliated |
81 |
|
*won in scorecard playoff |
|