After early season wins by Glenn Hamm and Michael Lazarchick, and talk about “the same old stuff,” a dramatic shift descended upon the OCAGA Tour. VEGAS, not too long ago, had Paul Ruth a heavy favorite to get into the Final Four after Golden Pheasant, setting a record for lowest ever Net Score on the Tour.  A significant amount of early money flowing into the betting coffers were on Paul, not only to get in, but to Win the Championship. This was despite Andy Swanson’s remarkable showing early in the month at Shore Gate and a quite respectable 2^nd place finish to Paul at the Pheasant. But when at his home course Greate Bay, Andy tied Paul’s newly garnered low net record.  Seeds of doubt slowed the money flow.

When Andy missed Emerald Links early in the season everyone assumed he had taken himself out of the picture. Few have made the finals when missing a tournament. When he skipped the Vineyards a veil of serious doubt about his desire covered the fan base. Paul ascended to yet another victory and the heavy betting resumed.

Avalon presented different challenges, with tighter fairways and less than ideal conditions.  Marc Bohan with a sweet swing manicured to late season excellence, split the fairways with regularity, hitting greens in regulation, dropping birdies to deliver the low net 81 on the day. If the greens were not scared and inconsistent from recent aerification and sanding, speculation at Le Petite Café postulated a significantly lower score. However, those not able to keep the ball on the fairways experienced frustration searching and then hitting out of 2 ½ to 4 inch rough!

Sporting the highest handicap on tour, Andy Swanson started with the lead. He never relinquished the spot and nearly duplicated the record for lowest ever score on tour which he tied in the last outing. He was magnificent, climbing up into the four spot of the final fourth place with one to go!  Andy placed an 86 on the Scorecard, using just 5 more strokes than Marc Bohan and Young Roger Read, both with single digit handicaps utilizing GHIN System calculations. He bested second place finisher Paul Ruth by 6 strokes in Net Score. Peaking at the right time, he started September on the Lancaster Golf Trip using only 82 swings at the challenging Pilgrim’s Oaks Track, the lowest gross,  while every other competitor played the senior tees with the exception of the Doctor. Indeed, it was his lowest score of the year, beating LZ by 7, head to head.

Points With One to Go:

Paul Ruth secured his position last tournament and will finish as the Regular Season Point Winner. Michael Lazarchick can only be caught by Phil Stocker in fifth place, if everybody shows, he finishes last and Phil Wins and Gets Closest to the Pin for 3 Points. If everyone shows and Rob finishes last, either Phil or Glenn Hamm, could catch him with a Win. Phil or Glenn could pass Andy if they play very well (near the Top) and he does not (below Top 5) in the Final Tournament. Everyone else in contention is in  the Glimmer of Hope category, except for Eddie Borillo and Dave Kissinger who do not have enough points to gather.

Points   Tour Player      Minimum Finish

• 151 Ruth, Paul                  162                         In the Final Four
• 123 Lazarchick, Mike     134                          99.9 % Chance to Make Finals
• 120 Juliano, Rob              131                          99 %     Chance to Make Finals

• 111 Swanson, Andy         122                          In the Catbird’s Seat

• 107 Stocker, Phil               132           135                    Needs Strong Finish
• 105 Hamm, Glenn            130           133                    Needs Stronger Finish
• 97 Ranucci, Charles         122           125                 Needs Win, CTP and Help
• 94 Bohan, Marc                122           125                 Needs Win, CTP and Help
• 93 Czachorowski, Art      121           124                 Needs Win, CTP and Help
• 86 Borillo, Ed                    114        Cannot Make Finals
• 73 Kissinger, Dave            84      Cannot Make Final Four

The Industrial Park just off the Promenade, home of Baby Ruth Candy and Swanson Health Products was, a flurry with controversy. Purportedly, a contingent from the Candy Factory was calling for an investigation of Handicaps. While Paul Ruth has experienced a decline from a high of 34 with Andy Swanson during June, he was way down to 25 at Avalon, giving 4 strokes. While Baby Ruth Stock has flat lined, Swanson Health Products continues to climb. They blame the President for introduction of a convoluted handicap system and there was some talk about tariffs, which no one understood? Purportedly,  they question if the Secretary is Cheating, for not taking the action spelled out in the Club Rules.

Club Rule #6: The secretary will review the member’s initial handicap after four months  of play to determine if the initial handicap was significantly overstated in comparison with subsequent play. If so, appropriate corrective action will be taken by membership vote at the next monthly meeting.

It has not been confirmed, that they are asking if the secretary is subject to the Cheating Rule, but apparently they do  want to know who exactly is on the Rules Committee since St George is no longer on the tour!

7. Cheating Rule. If a player is observed violating the rules, he will be given a warning by the Rules Committee. If a player persists in violation and is warned a second time, he will be subject to expulsion from the club. Infractions must be observed by two or more players and reported to the rules committee or executive board, immediately

The plot thickens when we realize that Charlie Ranucci has often been seen eating Snickers but never a Baby Ruth and the Doctor is known to often order Mussels Fra Diavolo for lunch, but apparently never demands Swanson’s Premium Green Lipped variety. Be assured that the OCAGA Investigative Reporter will be Fact Checking!!!

NEXT    TWISTED DUNE