|
 |
| Paul Kennedy and Evan Choy are all smiles following a birdie on No. 7 (par 4, 409 yards). |
Shawnee’s Choy, Kennedy shoot 70, snag The Deeg Sezna
LAFAYETTE HILL, Pa. — Evan Choy ended Paul Kennedy’s club championship streak a year ago at Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort. The latter won four of the previous five titles before falling to the rising Millersville University junior in the 27-hole final.
| Scorecards |
Photo gallery |
History |
So when Kennedy received an e-mail from the Golf Association of Philadelphia regarding The Deeg Sezna, he knew whom to pick as a partner. Choy and Kennedy shelved their spirited Shawnee rivalry Monday to capture the event’s 15th edition at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club (par 72, 6,516 yards).
The format is selective drive/alternate shot.
“He kicked my butt last year,” Kennedy, 45, said. “I figured this would be a pretty good format for us. We do a lot of alternate shot at our country club. This is a format that we’re familiar with. He tried to get me within my wedge distance, which is 125 [yards]. Whoever was closest to the 125-yard shot in, we knew were going to take that one.”
“We both hit it really well off the tee. We needed him to putt today,” Choy, 20, added. “I wasn’t putting well for the first 12, 13 holes. I had a stretch of four or five holes where I was putting and I wasn’t making a single thing. We decided toward the end to make sure he was rolling the rock. It worked out.”
Sure did.
Kennedy stamped five of the team’s six birdies on the day. He dropped a six-footer on the par 5, 532-yard No. 3 after Choy lifted a wedge 86 yards. The Stroudsburg, Pa. residents reached the next par 5 (No. 5, 506 yards) in two strokes, and Kennedy punctuated a 15-footer for a 4. Choy’s power catered to his partner’s pithy putter on No. 7 (par 4, 409 yards). He hammered a 7-iron 185 yards to 30 feet below the hole location. Kennedy converted an uphill, left-to-right bender for birdie. The red figures negated a triple bogey on No. 2 (par 4, 397 yards), where Kennedy’s pitching wedge from 123 yards plugged into the front left bunker.
A 3 under inward nine illustrated the team’s “give Choy a wedge, Kennedy a putter” strategy. On No. 13 (par 4, 370 yards), Choy knocked a wedge 87 yards to eight feet for a Kennedy birdie. A 30-yard pitch from Choy on No. 17 (par 5, 490 yards) gave Kennedy a gimme. Choy labeled the par 4, 415-yard 15th the team’s “escape hole.” Both players found trees on the right side. Kennedy then clipped a branch with his approach, leaving his teammate with a yardage of 125. Choy responded with a wedge to three feet for a critical par save.
Choy’s putter harnessed energy from Kennedy’s on Nos. 16 (par 3, 138 yards) and 18 (par 5, 490 yards). He rolled in a five-footer on the first following his teammate’s 8-iron set-up. Choy amended for a flailed 5-iron approach from 190 yards on the 18th hole by burying a 25-footer for par.
“It was just a good putt. Thank God it went in,” Choy said.
Choy and Kennedy carpooled to Whitemarsh Valley Monday. The commute took an hour and a half; Choy, serving as the GPS in the passenger’s seat, missed a few turns.
He didn’t’ mislead Kennedy on the golf course.
“I enjoy the camaraderie we have,” Kennedy, a bartender, said. “On the car ride down, we were talking about strategy. We didn’t always take the drive that was the farthest. That’s the problem I notice in this format. People always the longest drive. Even if you’re only 70 percent of your shot, sometimes I’d rather swing 100 percent.”
“We just needed to get wedges in our hands. Even when we had tough pars, we had wedges,” Choy added. “We play to each other’s strengths.”
 |
| Darren Nolan & Michael R. Brown, Jr. |
Junior-Junior
Brendan Nolan’s son Darren needed a partner for The Deeg Sezna. An old buddy from his days on the Cheltenham High School golf team came to mind. Nolan called Michael R. Brown, Jr., a two-time GAP Major Champion who readily accepted the invitation.
Darren met Brown 30 minutes prior to their round Monday. The two quickly synced up to win the event’s Junior-Junior (par 72, 5,829 yards) title.
“I’m sure we’ll be playing golf together from this point forward. I hit the jackpot on this one,” Brown, 43, of Maple Shade, N.J., said. “He drives the ball like a pro. He does a lot of things that good players do. I imagine he’s practicing very hard on his game.”
“Michael was really helpful,” Nolan, 12, of Glenside, Pa., said. “He helped with his driving distance so we could reach all of the par 5s in two. He helped with his wedge game a lot because that’s where one of my weaknesses is right now.”
Look to the par 5, 476-yard No. 5 as an example of Brown’s distance meshing with Nolan’s growing ability. After reaching the green in two, Brown, who won the Middle-Amateur Championship in 2009 and Open Championship in 2010, ran an eagle attempt 20 feet past the jar. Nolan, an incoming junior at Abington Junior High School, sank the comebacker for birdie.
The Deeg Sezna celebrates the mentorship of the older generation for its younger counterparts. It is named in honor of Davis "Deeg" Sezna, Jr. of Hartefeld National, who lost his life on Sept. 11, 2001 in the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City.
Deeg, an avid golfer long a mentor to his younger brothers Teddy and Willy, and a recent graduate of Vanderbilt University with a degree in economics, was in his sixth day of work on the 104th floor of the South Tower when the terrorists struck.
To memorialize his name, the Golf Association of Philadelphia and his father, Davis Sezna, Sr., established the Deeg Sezna, pairing a junior player and an older amateur in a better ball competition, with a minimum age difference of 10 years and the stipulation that the younger player be 21 or younger.
The goal is to give experienced golfers quality time with the next generation, and vice versa.
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.
|
Gross
|
|
Junior
Division
|
|
Name,
club
|
Score
|
|
Paul
Kennedy/Evan Choy, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
|
70
|
|
Robert
Olseski/Jeff Kavanagh, Sandy Run CC
|
72
|
|
Matt
Mancini/Michael Fedak, Jr., Glenmaura National
GC/Spring Ford CC
|
73
|
|
Buddy
Aiken/Jack Mitchell, V, St. Davids GC/Waynesborough CC
|
73
|
|
Gregory
Buliga/Patrick Laushell,
Yardley CC
|
73
|
|
Carlos
Fullerton/Scott Harrington, Brookside CC of Allentown/Moselem
Springs GC
|
73
|
|
William
Weihenmayer/D.J. Pinciotti,
III, Huntingdon Valley CC
|
73
|
|
Richard
Ogorek/Ryan Bree, Fieldstone GC
|
73
|
|
Scott
Storck/Justin Dougherty, Philadelphia Cricket Club
|
75
|
|
Michael
Gregor/Wade Gregor, Huntingdon Valley CC
|
77
|
|
J.J.
Berenato/Jack St. Amour, Llanerch CC
|
77
|
|
Michael
Rose/Daniel Galbreath, Talamore
CC/Huntingdon Valley CC
|
78
|
|
Hugh
Farris/Rocco Sciotto, Huntingdon Valley CC
|
78
|
|
Jim
Fullerton/Max Harrington, Brookside CC of Allentown/Moselem
Springs GC
|
78
|
|
Sean
Torpey/Mathew Becker, Commonwealth National GC
|
79
|
|
Matthew
Teesdale/Nicholas Hano,
III, Commonwealth National GC/Aronimink GC
|
79
|
|
Peter
Chieppor/Jon Chronister, Bent Creek CC
|
79
|
|
Ari
Flaisher/Emmett Fox, McCall G&CC
|
80
|
|
Daniel
Kilpatrick/Liam Caspar, Medford Village CC/Running Deer GC
|
81
|
|
Joe
Sullivan/Matthew McGettigan, Sandy Run CC
|
81
|
|
John
Fleming/Matt Fleming, Spring Mill CC
|
82
|
|
Ryan
Brennan/Geoff Sheehan, Rolling Green GC/French Creek GC
|
82
|
|
Ron
Dirienzi/Nolan Dirienzi,
Rolling Green GC
|
83
|
|
Marc
Crane/Sam Dalton, Philadelphia Publinks GA/Overbrook
GC
|
83
|
|
Rick
Studer/Eric Studer, Makefield Highlands GC
|
85
|
|
Matt
Mingione/Nick Mingione,
Plymouth CC
|
85
|
|
Matthew
Brennan, Sr./Matthew Brennan, Rolling Green GC
|
85
|
|
Jeff
St. Amour/Jack McClatchy, Llanerch CC
|
86
|
|
Stephen
Shewbrooks/Archie Filshill,
Jr., Huntingdon Valley CC
|
88
|
|
James
Mangano, Jr./James Mangano,
III, Manufacturers G&CC
|
89
|
|
Bob
Schmalbach/Shane McCullough, Five Ponds GC/Blue
Bell CC
|
93
|
|
Aaron
Shatzman/Ben Shatzman,
Meadowlands CC
|
95
|
|
Sean
Caspar/Fred Caspar, Running Deer GC
|
96
|
|
Philip
Repetto/Anthony Repetto, Philadelphia Publinks GA/Penn
Oaks GC
|
WD
|
|
Matthew
Weaver/Brian Weaver, CC of York
|
WD
|
|
Seth
Melroy/Matthew Taylor, Jeffersonville GC/Gulph Mills GC
|
WD
|
| |
|
Junior-Junior
Division
|
|
Name,
club
|
Score
|
|
Michael
R. Brown, Jr./Darren Nolan,
Philadelphia Publinks GA/Talamore CC
|
69
|
|
Ryan
Carroll/Henry Fish, Chester Valley GC
|
73
|
|
John
VanDame, Jr./Joshua Ryan, Philadelphia Publinks GA/Philadelphia Junior Tour
|
76
|
|
William
Mitchell/Patrick Isztwan, Huntingdon Valley CC
|
76
|
|
Nathan
Guertler/Adam Warner, Laurel Creek CC/Tavistock CC
|
78
|
|
Douglas
Gregor/Michael Vesey, Huntingdon Valley CC
|
79
|
|
David
Guertler/Matthew Messenger, Laurel Creek CC
|
79
|
|
Gregory
Hurchalla/Charlie Hurchalla, The Springhaven Club
|
86
|
|
Max
Mallon/Sean Mallon, GC at Glen Mills
|
93
|
|
Rick
Uhr/Tyler Uhr,
Philadelphia Publinks/GAP Junior Players Club
|
94
|
| |
|
Mixed
Division
|
|
Name,
club
|
Score
|
|
Peter
Oppenheimer/Casey Oppenheimer, Whitemarsh Valley
CC
|
78
|
|
Meagan
Bonner/Kevin Bonner, Tavistock CC/Talamore CC
|
79
|
|
Owen
Brown/Kelly Brown, Coatesville CC
|
80
|
|
Sean
Grieve/Alyssa Washeleski, Philadelphia Cricket
Club/Wildwood G&CC
|
85
|
|
Marlo Hall/Alec
Stern, Green Valley CC
|
86
|
|
John
Frampton/Morgan Frampton, Whitemarsh Valley CC
|
87
|
| |
|
Net
|
|
Junior
Division
|
|
Name,
club
|
Score
|
|
Paul
Kennedy/Evan Choy, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
|
68
|
|
Matt
Mancini/Michael Fedak, Jr., Glenmaura National
GC/Spring Ford CC
|
69
|
|
Gregory
Buliga/Patrick Laushell,
Yardley CC
|
69
|
|
Richard
Ogorek/Ryan Bree, Fieldstone GC
|
69
|
|
Michael
Gregor/Wade Gregor, Huntingdon Valley CC
|
69
|
|
Buddy
Aiken/Jack Mitchell, V, St. Davids GC/Waynesborough CC
|
70
|
|
William
Weihenmayer/D.J. Pinciotti,
III, Huntingdon Valley CC
|
70
|
|
Robert
Olseski/Jeff Kavanagh, Sandy Run CC
|
71
|
|
Carlos
Fullerton/Scott Harrington, Brookside CC of Allentown/Moselem
Springs GC
|
71
|
|
Jim
Fullerton/Max Harrington, Brookside CC of Allentown/Moselem
Springs GC
|
72
|
|
Daniel
Kilpatrick/Liam Caspar, Medford Village CC/Running Deer GC
|
72
|
|
Scott
Storck/Justin Dougherty, Philadelphia Cricket Club
|
73
|
|
J.J.
Berenato/Jack St. Amour, Llanerch CC
|
73
|
|
Hugh
Farris/Rocco Sciotto, Huntingdon Valley CC
|
74
|
|
Joe
Sullivan/Matthew McGettigan, Sandy Run CC
|
74
|
|
John
Fleming/Matt Fleming, Spring Mill CC
|
74
|
|
Michael
Rose/Daniel Galbreath, Talamore
CC/Huntingdon Valley CC
|
75
|
|
Ryan
Brennan/Geoff Sheehan, Rolling Green GC/French Creek GC
|
75
|
|
Ron
Dirienzi/Nolan Dirienzi,
Rolling Green GC
|
75
|
|
Sean
Torpey/Mathew Becker, Commonwealth National GC
|
77
|
|
Matthew
Teesdale/Nicholas Hano,
III, Commonwealth National GC/Aronimink GC
|
77
|
|
Matt
Mingione/Nick Mingione,
Plymouth CC
|
77
|
|
Matthew
Brennan, Sr./Matthew Brennan, Rolling Green GC
|
77
|
|
Peter
Chieppor/Jon Chronister, Bent Creek CC
|
78
|
|
Marc
Crane/Sam Dalton, Philadelphia Publinks GA/Overbrook
GC
|
79
|
|
James
Mangano, Jr./James Mangano,
III, Manufacturers G&CC
|
79
|
|
Ari
Flaisher/Emmett Fox, McCall G&CC
|
80
|
|
Rick
Studer/Eric Studer, Makefield Highlands GC
|
80
|
|
Bob
Schmalbach/Shane McCullough, Five Ponds GC/Blue
Bell CC
|
80
|
|
Stephen
Shewbrooks/Archie Filshill,
Jr., Huntingdon Valley CC
|
81
|
|
Jeff
St. Amour/Jack McClatchy, Llanerch CC
|
86
|
|
Aaron
Shatzman/Ben Shatzman,
Meadowlands CC
|
95
|
|
Sean
Caspar/Fred Caspar, Running Deer GC
|
96
|
|
Philip
Repetto/Anthony Repetto, Philadelphia Publinks GA/Penn
Oaks GC
|
WD
|
|
Matthew
Weaver/Brian Weaver, CC of York
|
WD
|
|
Seth
Melroy/Matthew Taylor, Jeffersonville GC/Gulph Mills GC
|
WD
|
| |
|
Junior-Junior
Division
|
|
Name,
club
|
Score
|
|
Michael
R. Brown, Jr./Darren Nolan, Philadelphia Publinks GA/Talamore CC
|
65
|
|
Nathan
Guertler/Adam Warner, Laurel Creek CC/Tavistock CC
|
66
|
|
Ryan
Carroll/Henry Fish, Chester Valley GC
|
69
|
|
William
Mitchell/Patrick Isztwan, Huntingdon Valley CC
|
69
|
|
John
VanDame, Jr./Joshua Ryan, Philadelphia Publinks GA/Philadelphia Junior Tour
|
73
|
|
David
Guertler/Matthew Messenger, Laurel Creek CC
|
73
|
|
Douglas
Gregor/Michael Vesey, Huntingdon Valley CC
|
79
|
|
Gregory
Hurchalla/Charlie Hurchalla, The Springhaven Club
|
86
|
|
Max
Mallon/Sean Mallon, GC at Glen Mills
|
93
|
|
Rick
Uhr/Tyler Uhr,
Philadelphia Publinks GA/GAP Junior Players
Club
|
94
|
| |
|
Mixed
Division
|
|
Name,
club
|
Score
|
|
Owen
Brown/Kelly Brown, Coatesville CC
|
65
|
|
Peter
Oppenheimer/Casey Oppenheimer, Whitemarsh Valley
CC
|
68
|
|
John
Frampton/Morgan Frampton, Whitemarsh Valley CC
|
70
|
|
Marlo Hall/Alec
Stern, Green Valley CC
|
72
|
|
Meagan
Bonner/Kevin Bonner, Tavistock CC/Talamore CC
|
75
|
|
Sean
Grieve/Alyssa Washeleski, Philadelphia Cricket
Club/Wildwood G&CC
|
85
|
| |
|
WD-withdrawal
|
|
