Marc Bohan was just incredible at Avalon, the last tournament of the regular season, throwing down the gauntlet*, proverbially challenging the other three in the Final Four. Placing a 75 on the Scorecard from the White Tees, 4 over par, the lowest gross score in modern OCAGA history, Marc displayed little weakness in a “Zone of His Own.” Bohan’s foursome included Glenn Hamm and Glenn’s closest challengers for the fourth position on Championship Sunday. Current Champion Rob Juliano and 5 time Champion Art Czachorowski needed incredible days to catch Hamm while Glenn repeated an Ocean Acre-esque skid into the cellar.

Marc finished a full 5 strokes ahead of second place finisher, Ed Borillo. Phil Stocker and John Beuchner finishing 3^rd and 4^th  took Art, who finished in 5^th place, out of the equation.  Ed, Phil and John all had remarkable days overshadowing a stellar performance by Art, who shared the second best low gross on the day with Charlie Ranucci (86).    With O’Brien, Read, Shaw and St George not showing, there just were not enough points in play. Charlie Ranucci’s 6^th place finish was enough to secure 2^nd place for the season and set a new standard for the most points ever reached in that position. Taking 7^th place, Glenn Hamm slammed the door shut on Rob Juliano, securing his 4^th position on the season.

LZ  held on to the final season point total in 1^st place.  The Doctor moved back to the White tees playing against Andy Swanson in a side match, apparently to determine if he was still capable of performing well from the longer distance. He barely bested Jeff Spickler, Rob Juliano and then Andy Swanson as they all limped in over the finish line.

The OCAGA Tour, no longer able to guarantee a significant number, was thrown off kilter when it was announced that Greate Bay dislodged “OCAGA Championship Sunday” in favor of a bigger outing and moved the tour to October 1^st .  In the Polish American Tavern and the Italian Bistro, debate abounded when it was rumored that both the Doctor and Charlie Ranucci would no longer be available for the finals, moving up the 5^th and 6^th place finishers. Artski Sixski Chants emerged at the Tavern and at the Bistro there was sheer jubilation with the thought that Rob would defend his title. When John Beuchner announced that early response suggested a third to half the league was not available for the new date, Roger Read suggested a change in venue. Art scheduled a return to Avalon for the Finals on the 8^th.

While quaffing down bottles of French wine at Le Petite Café, VEGAS odds makers proclaimed Marc Bohan a prohibitive favorite. At the Café, the Sommelier told them that Marc broke 80,  4 times in his last 20 rounds and is the only person in the final four who has reached down to 75 (twice). Calculating numbers at press time (updates will take place October 1) and assuming that Lazarchick & Ranucci play from the Senior Tees, they determined that the final four Handicaps would be:

14  Marc & Mia

15  The Doctor (Senior Tees)

16  Glenn Hamm

17  Charlie Ranucci  (Senior Tees)

At the Tavern it was all about the Doctor breaking the single season record for points and how twice in the last 20 of his rounds, he delivered a 78.  Of course, anytime Glenn gets near the finals, Hamm’s Beer stock sky rockets. They are advertising how a victory ties the Tour Record for most wins (5) and he does have a 77 and 79 in his last 20.

The Godfather just smiled at all the rancor on the avenue. He quashed the formal protest by  Bistro Patron suggesting that Marc Bohan had an unfair advantage with Mia Bohan at his side all season and told everybody that even if Marc was disqualified, Art and not Rob would be the replacement.  He told Bruno that pound for pound, Charlie Ranucci is the best ball striker the tour has ever witnessed and he has delivered a 76 in his last 20 rounds. It is all about Who Shows Up at the Championship!

SCATS

Charlie Ranucci is the Handicapped Scatman of the Year

Roger Read is the Scratch Scatman of the Year

Championship Sunday   –  available for viewing on the OCAGA Tour Network

AVALON   OCTOBER 8^TH   10:00 AM

*”Throw Down the Gauntlet” refers to the medieval tradition of throwing down  a glove (from the Old French word gantelet, a diminutive of gant, “glove,”  to challenge competitors, instituted during the 5^th century by French Count Marque Bohan.