Brewer Cup Supers: No. 1 seed Donatoni prevails in quarters after 21-hole duelBETHLEHEM, Pa.-As Don Donatoni phrased it on Monday after earning a share of Super-Senior medalist honors and the No. 1 seed because of it, the key for match-play success is finding a way to grind out victories. White Manor Country Club’s Donatoni couldn’t have been more spot on with his expert analysis.
The two-time reigning Brewer Cup Super-Senior champion prevailed in a Brewer Cup quarterfinal match for the ages against James Ward of Cedarbrook Country Club in 21 holes at Saucon Valley Country Club (Weyhill Course, par 72, 6,066 yards) on Tuesday. “I survived and that’s what this is all about. This was for sure my biggest grind victory ever in match play,” said Donatoni, who is on a quest for a Super-Senior three-peat after taking home the hardware the past two years. “I just knew I didn’t have it today. I hit a couple shots fat and had a couple putts I didn’t accelerate on. My feel wasn’t the same as yesterday, and that’s why I love this game. You just don’t know, day to day, what will happen out there, especially in match play.” Compared to yesterday’s 1-under round of 71, Donatoni’s quarterfinal performance was not nearly as pretty. But when all was said and done, he was ultimately the one left standing. The two-time reigning Super-Senior Player of the Year sensed trouble after missing a five footer on No. 15 (par 4, 351 yards) to go 1 down to Ward. He missed another opportunity on the 133-yard, par-3 16th hole, where Ward eventually three putted, but failed to level the match after missing the green in regulation and two putting from distance. The match’s momentum swung in favor of Donatoni on No. 17 (par 4, 347 yards), where he drained a must-make 20-foot birdie attempt to keep the match alive. After both players made standard pars on No. 18 (par 5, 502 yards), the match headed to extra holes. Donatoni converted a crucial sand save after blasting out of the left greenside bunker and draining a clutch 15-foot par putt. Ward followed suit with a par himself. No. 2 (par 3, 135 yards) played host to two great tee shots towards the back of the dance floor which led to two pars once again. Donatoni started No. 3 (par 4, 370 yards), the third playoff hole, by rifling his drive deep and down the left center of the fairway. He placed his wedge-approach shot to 30 feet, while the 67-year-old Ward found himself just off the front of the green. The match was decided when Donatoni successfully two putted the tricky green for par, while Ward three putted for bogey. Despite his grind-it-out performance in the quarters, Donatoni doesn’t expect many overnight changes to be made to his golf swing. “I’m just going to let my game come back on its own. I’m going to forget about today, and try to get to the range so I can work on some small things. I feel fine, but in this game you can just be off by just a hair and its going to have an effect on your distance control or your ball flight. That kind of stuff happens.” A familiar foe awaits Donatoni in tomorrow’s semifinal match. Merion Golf Club’s Carl Everett, the No. 4 seed who also happens to be a good friend and frequent Four-Ball teammate of Donatoni, will match up with the No. 1 seed at 8:15 a.m. “Carl and I are great friends and I’m looking forward to that tomorrow. Look, we’re at an age where we still want to win and are still very competitive, but we honestly root for one another,” Donatoni said. “We’ll ride in the cart tomorrow and we’ll talk a lot of family and what’s going on in the political world, and it’ll be a great day.” To reach the semis, Everett defeated the tournament’s namesake, O. Gordon Brewer, Jr., of Pine Valley Golf Club, 3 and 1. “I told Gordon I didn’t really enjoy being the guy that knocked him out of his own tournament. I told him this was only the second time I remember beating him,” said Everett, 68, of Harleysville, Pa. “He said that wasn’t true, but I’m pretty sure it is. I’ve got nothing but respect for him.” In addition to knocking off a GAP Hall of Famer in today’s quarterfinal round, Everett also has plenty of past match play experience to boot. He has competed in the BMW GAP Team Matches since 1975. “I believe my game fits the format. I’ve played a ton of match play, and I know you can leave bad shots behind a little easier,” Everett said. “I’m not going to do anything goofy tonight and I’ll be ready for tomorrow.” The Brewer Cup is named in honor of Brewer, Jr., the former president of Pine Valley. He is a two-time U.S. Senior Amateur Champion and veteran of 42 USGA Championships. He’s captured two Golf Association of Philadelphia Amateur Championship titles (1967, 1976), a GAP Senior Amateur Championship crown (1997) and a Senior Player of the Year (1997) as well as countless invitational titles. Five years ago he was recognized for his contributions to the game with the USGA’s Bob Jones Award.
Golf Association of Philadelphia
Quarterfinals |
A Walk Through Time
GAP is the oldest state or regional golf association in the country. It started courtesy of a friendly competition – the Team Matches – and has grown into the preeminent golf association in the country. Along the way, golf history has been made.
