The Polish American Tavern was filled with bombastic exuberance and slight undercurrents of lamentation. When Art Czachorowski withdrew from the tournament after only six holes, the old guard was despondent. They had hoped for yet another late season jaunt into the final four. Czak ‘s shoulder gave out probably from hoisting too many pints in England. However, Mike Lazarchick solidified his 1^st place position and Richie Antczak grabbed a victory at Mays Landing. Needless to say, the Polish Princesses Girl Scout Troop was in full attire, marching up and down the boulevard, behind their leader who was perorating the virtues of their heartthrob. Intermittent squeals of “Richie, Richie, He’s toooo Cute!” irritated the Godfather at the nearby Italian Bistro!

Rich found par on 1, 4, 10, 12 and 14 and delivered a net 66 on a day with greens too similar to shag carpet. Player after player could not get the ball to the hole, even downhill. The green were excessively inconsistent with only two players able to break 90. Richie played right with his foursome, easily taking down OB, Chabotar and Shaw. Placing a sweet 48 on the Scorecard after 9, Rich put significant pressure on the low handicappers. Bohan’s 42,  Ranucci’s 43,  Lazarchick’s 44  & Glenn Hamm’s 45 were not in contention. The real tournament battle was clearly from David Hamm (44), Mike Unger (46) and Tommy Hunt (47). Through the first 5 holes on the back, Richie expanded his lead over his close competitors. When the wheels finally came off on the last 3 holes, even playing 9 over par, Rich would still take the win by 3 strokes. David Hamm finished 2^nd also surviving a weak finish. Mike Unger and Tommy Hunt finished 3^rd and 4^th , not able to finish strong enough. Mike Lazarchick made a gallant charge, finally finding the putting distance on the back and took 5^th place with the low gross score on the day (86).

FINAL FOUR:   With one to go, the final four is all but set in stone. As long as Lazarchick shows he is in the final four. Mike Unger finally stopped the skid and retook 2^nd place overall. Glenn Hamm and Scotty Shaw, with less than their best, held on to favorable positions. Shaw took the needed 3 Points for Closest to the Pin on the only green anyone hit! A review of past history revealed it was the right green to hit. Family obligations have ended Tommy Hunt’s regular season. He got to the doorstep looking in, but turns away. Glen Chabotar and Charlie Ranucci are not mathematically eliminated, but both have a lot of ground to cover and need someone up top to basically finish close to last! If the field is too small, there just are not many points available to make up ground.

Points:

• 123         Lazarchick     Has made Final Four
• 117         Unger              Probably In
• 114         Hamm, G       Probably in
• 113         Shaw               Probably in
• 111          Hunt               Not Playing Sand Barrens
• 103        Chabotar        Must win & someone up top finished near last
• 99           Ranucci         Must win & someone up top finishes near last
• 92           Hamm, D      Mathematically eliminated unless Wins with Closest to the Pin Mathematically Eliminated Below
• 91           Czachorowski
• 86           Swanson
• 82           Borillo
• 67           Marc Bohan
• 59           Juliano
• 58           Stocker
• 46           Antczak
• 41           O’Brien

SCATS

Rich Antczak finally gets on the SCATS board and he does it in style. Get out the wheelbarrow. He pockets a sweet $43.00! Shaw, despite a less than stellar performance in score, still managed to take $31.

Next Sand Barrens October 5^th   10 am