The OCAGA Tour finally opened on June 7^th at Shore Gate. While current club Champion, Andy Swanson, was purportedly walloped by Phil Stocker at Greate Bay, after the tournament was cancelled, those results were not official.  Phil avowedly had to be pestered by the fans before speaking about his outing with the current Champion. The President warned about fake news and reiterated yet again that the only source of true and reliable reporting is the OCAGA New Blog.

The culprit of the late start is Covid 19, a small but apparently exceptionally disruptive creature, which started spreading across the planet last year.  Human interactions have changed substantially, for most. In my seventh decade, my immune system is no longer buffered by youthful vigor. Thoughts of wellness have grown into an even stronger force in my consciousness. When a media outcry criticized closely engaged Spring Break college students on Florida beaches, I recalled my youth, the illusion of invulnerability, and a far more self-centered pleasure seeking time of life. The potential apocalyptic spread upon their return up north, displayed by data collectors, was unsettling to say the least.  Art Czachorowski was rumored to be in Florida, frolicking with the kids, but at his age virtually everyone is a kid, so we do not know the age group in the rumor. We do know the mounting pressure from the fan base to get the OCAGA Tour up and running despite this latest 2019 version of the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrom) Virus.

Social distancing has become a common term. Early I saw reports that the virus has great difficulty traveling 6 feet to attack another. Ubiquitous videos displayed hand wash

ing techniques with soap for 20 seconds to protect after touching possible places of infection. Wearing masks in public was strange at first, but now is a new standard for public ventures.  However, the Starter at the Gate did not cover his nose and some of the Tour Players were keeping their distance.

The Big Story was two time OCAGA Champion Phil Stocker’s dominant Victory, with a bountiful handicap,  a full 3 strokes better than low handicapper Mike Lazarchick, who was able to place 97 strokes on the Scorecard, the only player to break 100 with the absence of Marc Bohan.  Phil with the highest Handicap, played bogie golf most of the day and took the lion’s share of the SCATS. He finished  8 strokes better than thirds place finisher, 5 time Champion, living legend, Art Czachorowski.  The President was 4^th, 2 more strokes off the pace, and last Rookie of the Year, Dave Kissinger,  was with him finishing 5^th.  Current Club Champion and winner last year at the Gate, Andy Swanson, used 112 strokes to transverse the track, 18 strokes more than a year ago.  Yes, the most difficult challenge on the OCAGA Tour was the Welcome Tom Gahr received in his Rookie debut.

NEXT:  Golden Pheasant   JUNE 28TH