It was a nice Harbor Pines opening day on the OCAGA Tour, the best opening day as anyone could recall. The temperature was comfortable with a sun filed sky. An occasional gust of wind provided a refreshing breeze or sometime a lift to a long drive. The 2019 season however, opened with some major changes and many new questions.

The United States Golf Association published “Golf’s New Rules” effective January 1^st designed to speed up play and make the game less penalizing to the average player. One option to stroke and distance when the ball is lost out of bounds or in the woods, is a drop on the line of flight with a two stroke penalty. OCAGA already has that option, but it remains a one stroke penalty in the league. OCAGA President Rob Juliano designed a new handicapping system (which a majority vote of the membership passed) that uses the middle 6 scores from the last 10 played in Tour Competition, dropping the two lowest and the two highest from the calculation. Meanwhile the most influential troop of Italian Girl Scouts has named “Rob the Heartthrop” the best ever OCAGA President. The Top ten in the opening tournament all net scored at par or below, prompting the OCAGA News Blog Statistician to add a new statistic to the season, strokes under par.

Glenn Hamm placed a net 9 under par on the Scorecard to win and make the first statement of the year. Glenn made a stir in his Rookie Year facing Michael Lazarchick in the finals. Lazarchick was heavily favored after losing two years earlier with the famous “17th hole disaster,” just barely falling into a sand less trap, taking 5 strokes to get out, ending up with a 9 and losing by one stroke in a match he dominated for 16 holes. The following year he lost by a stroke to Lee Sickler who many believed cheated his way to the title. Sickler went to prison for putting a contract out on his wife a short while later. But Hamm, clearly won, easily putting the match out of reach after 9 holes and matching Lazarchick stroke for stroke on the back.  Hamm won his second title in 2009 becoming a dominant force on the tour. He reached the height of his power with back to back victories 2013 and 2014. He reached four titles in less than ten year. Art Czachorowski, believed by many to be the best who ever played on the OCAGA Tour took 20 years to amass five titles. In the last five years however, Hamm has not been quite so dominant and of course the comparisons to Tiger Woods, he days are past. And yes, like Tiger Woods winning the 2019 Masters, Glenn Hamm strikes fear in the hearts of opponents when is game is on!

Paul “Baby” Ruth scored a net -8 under par. Just when it looked like his handicap might come down, the new Juliano formula ensured he would be a very high handicapper. While Curtiss Candy claimed the famous candy bar was named after President Grove Cleveland’s daughter Ruth and not ball player, Babe Ruth, current owner Ferrero firmly markets the idea that big eater Paul Ruth is their champion and the now the candy bar namesake. Sales have skyrocketed since Paul rejoined the OCAGA Tour. Ruth, with a huge fan base, a humanitarian who work diligently to serve the visually impaired, has been known to consume his share of food.

Bobby Sweiderk who complains often about Paul Ruth pushing his way by him in the food line, dropped a Birdie on 15 and just fell short in his late charge to catch Ruth, but did secure 3^rd place on the day with a net -7.

Michael Lazarchick and Marc Bohan sporting the Tour lowest handicaps, finished 4^th and 5^th, the Doctor at net -5 and Marc at net -4. Lazarchick faltered playing the last two holes at four over par and Bohan played the last four at four over par, both ruining otherwise, relatively very strong performances to start the season.

Ranucci net -4, Juliano net -4, Swanson net -3, Stocker net -2 and Borillo net even par, rounded out the Top Ten.

Everyone was pleased to see Marc Bohan step up at the Banquet and volunteer to take over as Starter and SCATS coordinator. However, since he took the Lion’s Share of the money week one, the Investigative Reporter is looking into the numbers!    SCATS

Art Czachorowski received many accolades for the schedule this season with more premium courses on the tour at reasonable prices. Unfortunately, Scott Shaw, one of the most loved and exciting players on the Tour, has disappeared and has refused to speak with Art since being accosted on the course during the 2018 Championship. Purportedly, Scotty did not react well to Art’s less than diplomatic request for the foursome to speed up play. Talk for the 2019 Championship is to send the Final Four off last for several reasons. Because they need to focus and possibly playing slow compared to the other groups, which last season played a scramble and alternate shot format for two thirds of the round. Second, the others will be in the Bar awaiting the results of the Championship, enjoying the excitement of the day. Third, the Championship foursome can always let other non-league foursomes play through if they determine that they are playing too slow and backing up the course, proper golf etiquette. Roger Read did also not show up at the Banquet and he too was missed on opening day. Don St George, the oldest OCAGA Tour player in history supposedly announced his retirement, opening the door for Art to get another Record.

Finally, the OCAGA News Blog won the 2018 Sports Illastrated’s,  Sport Golf Blog on the Year Reporting Exclusively on the OCAGA Tour, adding to the many diverse accolades of Michael C. Lazarchick of Sanctuary Publications.

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