Pinelands drew the largest field of the season and delivered incredible excitement. The Italian Bistro was captivated as their newest stars battled for the lead. Jimmy Depiano lead the field early in gross score, opening with back to back pars, beautiful drives, great approach shots and precise putting. Dave Kissinger had some early control issues with his drives but made nice recovery shots that gave him almost comfortable control of second place. Swanson Food stocks showed real time growth as Andy battled up into third place, three behind at the turn. Dave caught Jimmy, who suffered through two straight double bogeys, on the 8th hole. Dave outdrove the field as his ball easily passed Lazarchick’s bomb down the fairway and his short iron gave him a legitimate birdie attempt. Just slightly not firm enough, his putt tracking for the hole, stopped short by half an inch. Jimmy and Dave were tied for first at the turn prompting a free round of Birra Moretti from the Godfather, who was gifted kegs from the “Beer and Ice Factory” founded over a century ago. Jimmy regained the solo lead on 10 and held it through 14. Giovanni told Vicenzo it was the best tournament since Little Tony battled Big Charlie at the Vineyards. Kissinger finally caught Depiano again, on 14, and took the lead on 15. Both made nice recovery shot towards the greens, but on two straight holes Jimmy missed putts he told himself he should have dropped while Dave sunk beauties. Both were feeling the mounting pressure. Andy Swanson and Rookie phenom, John Lawson were on the doorstep, way too close.

Swanson Food and Larson Hot Stone Massage spiked hard on the Stock Market and real time betting on the Tour in Vegus showed confidence in their march. Both caught Jimmy on 16.

At the Polish American Tavern Stanislaw and Casimir were the loudest voices in an expanding veil of bedlam jocularity. With the return of Richie Antczak from the Arizona Tour and Art Czachorowski from the Florida Tour, the Tavern was jam packed. To see both steadily moving towards the lead along with Michael Lazarchick brought visions of past successful finishes. Of course, Richie had a growing contingent of Girl Scouts dreamily praying on his every swing. LZ was now a serious threat with 3 Championships since 2014 and the most trips to the final four in modern history of any active tour player. Art is legendary, not only for his record 5 Titles and his record for shooting his age all through his decade in the 80s. He put a serious scare into his opponents in what was called THE GREATEST CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW BY FOUR PLAYERS IN OCAGA HISTORY, In 2021 against Bohan, Lazarchick and the Italian Bomber Juliano, with 7 titles among them, Art chipped and putted to a three stroke lead as they turned in the back nine. All his opponents thought it was over. Artski Sixski chants reverberated out into the Promenade. This day at Pinelands, his first tournament of the 2023 season, as he climbed up the leader board, his fans believed hitting his age again would probably mean victory. The Polish trio would finish tied for 5th place.

The Hofbräuhaus also was packed with the return of Jeff Spickler from the Arizona Tour. Close to LZ in age, he was with him and OB and Phil during their formative years playing venues all along the east coast down to Florida. He brought the Lancaster area in their consciousness, both golf and food. They played the Rich Hand Tour together in the Binghamton area, featuring the Conklin Players Club, a mountain course, and En-Joie, famous on the senior tour. On this day however, when John Larson along with Andy Swanson, caught Jimmy Depanio on 16, they were just two strokes behind Kissinger. Larson’s vitality and growing skill once again electrified the patrons. His 4,5,5 finish kept pace with a charging Lazarchick and he took sole possession of second place.

The Doctor was riding with Marc Bohan and fell behind him quickly by playing the first four holes 6 over par. Both of them were looking up to Mike Deckard, holding the third lowest handicap, who played the first five holes at even par. Mike D was running away towards low gross score until he suffered through a triple bogey snowman on the 9th hole. Perhaps it was the heat that irritated his blood condition. He was visibly weaker on the back. He struggled to finish with 3 more snowman during the last five holes. LZ after his own snowman on 4, slowly was gained on Marc until a double bogey 7 on 15 pushed him back 2 and left his fate to opponent miscues. Very uncharacteristically Marc posted two sevens on the scorecard in the last four holes yielding low gross at 86 to LZ.

Bruno was confused and asked the Godfather why Lazarchick finished 5th along with Art and Rich when actually his net score was one higher. It was because they were guests, not competing this year to get into the final four. Bruno wondered if they were being sponsored by the drinking establishments because business really peaked when the “retired” Tour Players came to town. Dave Kissinger played just good enough to finish first net 3 under par. John Larson was a stroke behind, wishing he could putt again the one he missed for par on 18, but very pleased with his growth this season. Andy Swanson another stroke off the pace, still one under par, had no regrets. Jimmy Depiano finished fourth, also one under par, because his handicap is higher. He now knows he is very close to entering the winners circle.

Points after Three

• 58 Larson, John
• 55 Kissinger, Dave
• 52 Lazarchick, Michael
• 52 O’Brien, Mike
• 45 Depiano, Jim
• 44 Bohan, Marc
• 43 Champion,Steph
• 39 Deckard, Michael
• 36 Borillo, Ed
• 36 MacGregor, Keith
• 35 Swanson, Andy
• 35 Champion, Joe
• 31 Stocker, Phil
• 27 Shuck, Ernie
• 17 Antczak, Rich
• 17 Czachorowski, Art
• 14 Spickler, Jeff

RESULTS

SCORECARD

SCATS

Joe Champion was the Big Bucks Winner with 5. He took double SCATS on both the second and fourth holes. He sunk a Nasty Birdie first and took solo low score with a par on the #1 handicapped hole. He also was Closest to the Pin on 16. Mike Lazarchick sunk a Birdie on 8 taking a double with solo low score on the hole. He placed low gross on the scorecard and took Closest to the Pin on 2. Mike Deckard posted solo low score on 3 and 4 and took Closest to the Pin on #11. Seven other players took one or two SCATS.

NEXT GREENTREE JULY 19TH 10:06