Phil Stocker opened the 2022 Season on the OCAGA Tour at Pinelands with a Gross 92 winning the first tournament of the season. While other can play no one an take away his victory after a week under the new revised League. Phil placed 4 pars and nothing higher than a double bogey on the Scorecard. He felt comfortable having played several preseason rounds to get him prepared for competition under the new system. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings immediately popped up 9% while golfing tourists scrambled to book quickly disappearing space on the next “Stocker Vacation”, with Phil”, demonstrating his unique driving and putting skills. “Nobody Swings Like Phil” printed on Souvenir clothing are supposedly included with booked reservation, while they last! Also are assurances that the golf balls Phil hits off the back of the ship are made from biodegradable edible ingredients suitable for marine life.

Jacque from Le Petit Café was exuberant with joy watching current Champion Marc Bohan early in the tournament. Marc appeared to take Mike O’Brien’s CTP on the first par three and then the next two away from Joe Champion. Dropping Birdie on 7, 9 and 14 was adding up to an outrageous SCAT performance. It looked like a freight train was racing Marc to the winners circle when he dropped his third Birdie on on 14, but Marc slipped into 6 over par over the last four holes. Jacques by then depressed, was further devastated to learn that Marc decided not to participate in SCATS, rumored to be about other players getting “gimme putts.” It is true that the new rules allow pickup when the ball is clearly within 18 inches of the cup. The idea was to hasten the pace of play when it was clear that the player would make the putt with adequate concentration. The Golf Pro who consults with league management when asked about the gimme, shook his head and said, “If it is close enough for a gimme, it is close enough to hit in!” The erudite Pierre, who actually read the 2022 Rules, sipping Red French Table Wine, clarifies for all interested that while it is preferred that players putt out quickly, at least one player in every foursome normally will have 18 inches measured out with tape on putter.

At the Polish American Tavern, Casmir and Stanislav, were arguing about fear and suggested that the 18 inches could be reduced to 12 if too many players were asking for a distance! Of course, they agree that Czach had no fear from any distance and the big bet was whether or not he would shoot his age again, which of course he did. Art at 89 used only 87 strokes. The two fans reminisced that Art shot a 91 at Greate Bay in the finals where he had a 23 handicap against Lazarchick’s 24 and Bohan’s 15. They had no idea why Art was down to a 10 from the Gold at Pinelands, but both LZ and Marc playong from the White tee also show reduction in handicap.

Bruno at the Italian Bistro asked the Godfather why all the handicaps had dropped and was quickly lost in the response from the Godfather about the World Handicap System and how the league was adjusting to bring the players closer to their potential, based upon their play. He explained that the best scores from 2021along with any available best scores from Pinelands were being put into a calculator and handicaps for play were using the slope and course rating from the tees played, while including par for the course and conditions of play. He told Bruno the handicaps would get closer to the players’ potential as the season progressed and while low scores would reduce handicap indexes quickly, high score would not hold enough weight to raise indexes significantly. He told Bruno the bottom line was that these handicaps would be closer to GHIN handicaps than what was used over the last few years. With Bruno eyes glazing over, the Godfather closed that conversation by telling him all the handicaps dropped with new system. Bruno quickly moved to the Rumor the regular customers were circulating that the Promenade Casino was trying to lure Dave Kissinger away from Resorts International, which came up in conversations about the New SCATS System (RESULTS). The Godfather only responded to the new system which added ways to make money and explained it was expanded to give more opportunities for everyone to share a piece of the pie, which it did in the first tournament. Skill, luck and high handicaps are all part of the formula. Unfortunately, only those there on the official tournament day can participate, however side bets can always be played on any day.

The Investigative Reporter reported that Joe Champion recruited two new players, Stephanie Champion and Michael Deckard, both quite formidable off the tees. The league anticipates the return of Jeff Spickler and Rich Antzcak from Arizona to play in the league under the new structure and from North Jersey Bob Daino did drive two hours to put in a qualifying round and test out the league possibility. Stephanie, Michael, Bob and Dave Kissinger took advantage of the expanded play opportunities to post scores for the first tournament.

After the Tournament, Joe Champion was elected President and Michael Lazarchick agreed to stay on as Secretary. Both were clear they would need help deciding upon future venues and setting up tee times for the league. Greentree is being explored, with query to the membership about the 1st or the 8th, as the possible second tournament. Golden Pheasant, while at a distance, was suggested for the third tournament.