Buena Vista Country Club was not really a “Good View.” While the fairways were not bad the greens were still healing from aeration and were not very consistent and true. Putting at times was slow and bumpy. The sands traps were numerous, the sand far from fluffy. While fairway traps allowed “bounce outs” many of the green side bunkers were deep, presenting challenges. Of course the OCAGA Tour is famous for providing a wide variety of options. Those who make the final four need to master all sorts of playing surfaces, from the smaller county courses to upscale gems. This season those in the top four slots were in a foursome together to play the final regular season event.

The Italian Bistro was in utter bedlam midway through the front nine. After a disappointing snowman on the first hole, Dave Kissinger cut the center of the fairway on the second hole with a power draw. Each hole he got stronger and finally dropped a par on six. He played the last four holes one over, turning the corner with a gross score 45, one higher than Marc Bohan. Luigi and Giovanni catered with a fine selection of authentic Italian delicacies and in honor of Dave, Ed Borillo and Jimmy Depiano, sent the Godfather a wide variety of Peroni Birra, known as the “Quintessential Italian Beer.” Eddie of course, in bringing the Glimmer of Hope to the Championship, is forever the inspiration to face any odds, the belief in possibility. Often the men raise their beer mugs and toast their hero. The women, when passing, touch his picture hanging prominently in the Bistro entrance.

John Larson and Michael Lazarchick were in their own battle just off the pace and not pleased after 9, LZ with two sevens and John with a snowman. The Polish American Tavern was jam packed with the announcement that Art Czachorowski was playing. Art tied Larson and was ahead of LZ after nine eliciting continuous shouts of joy.

At the Irish Pub both Scraggy Bay and Guinness were on tap to meet the demands of the largest crowds since Mike O’Brien made the final four the first time, long, long ago. Just the possibility prompted the creation of extra pub space out into the Promenade and the installation of a large screen TV. OB was driving with LZ and not having his best day with distracting thoughts about Stephanie Champion and Marc Bohan being within striking distance. He told LZ who had just dropped his third 7 on the thirteenth hole, that he felt both of them might be cursed for playing Golf at Buena on the afternoon of the 911 attack. LZ responded that he remembered thinking that if it was the end of the world, he wanted get in one last round of golf. In the Pub, Finnigan was spreading unconfirmed news that Stephanie might not be playing. That lessoned some of the patron anxiety until O’Malley announced that Bohan just birdied 11, bringing out a collective ugh! While the men were quaffing beer fully engrossed, Fiadh was to too nervous to watch OB. She was saying prayers in the nearby Saint Brigid Chapel, named for Ireland’s only female patron saint, famous for having the ability to turn water into beer.

Le Petit Café was fairly quite and reserved as usual. Pierre was able to import a collection of “Savoury Ales” from the French Canadian Avant-garde micro brewery Unibroue. There was a new design of the Marc Bohan shrine prominently displaying his Buena 2022 victory, scoring 79 with Closest to the Pin. Françoise and Véronique were convinced Marc would make it 3 in a row if he could get into the Final Four and add his fourth Championship Title to the display. Both women could not hold back the tears when Larson dropped the ball 6’10” on number twelve. They remembered the OCAGA Statistician saying their hero could not catch OB without a victory and Closest to the Pin. Pierre’s bookkeeper Anaïs already knew Marc could not make the finals. Even if OB finished last he would get too many points because Stocker, Depiano, MacGregor, Deckard and Stephanie were not playing. She called her college roommate and best friend Maeve at the Irish Pub, also the bookkeeper, when she confirmed Stephanie’s absence and ran the numbers. The field was too small, limiting the points available to catch the top four.

The Irish Pub was becoming somber as O’Brien struggled through his worst outing of the season. A 10 on thirteen was followed by an 8 on fourteen. That’s when Finnigan stood up and told the bartender to distribute a round on the house. He announced OB had made the Final Four. A wave of euphoria spread throughout the crowd, tears of happiness flowing and shortly thereafter the boisterous celebration brought Fiadh back from the chapel.

The Bistro never let up the celebration with Dave Kissinger holding the lead all through the match. Even his snowman on sixteen only let Larson and Lazarchick climb a little bit closer. For the most part he played the fairways with distance. His mid round was beautiful, 4 pars surrounded by bogeys on greens that were tough putting. The excitement was electrifying as the match tightened. Cheers for every pristine hero swing radiated out into the Promenade from the Tavern and Hofbräuhaus challenging the Bistro jubilation.

Dave Kissinger won his second tournament of the season by 2 strokes over John Larson. For the second time John took the most tournament points by taking Closest to the Pin for Points. Marc Bohan and Michael Lazarchick were another stroke off the pace, Marc taking 3rd by virtue of lower handicap. Andy Swanson finished 5th.

PTS Regular Season Final

• 131 Larson, John
• 114 Kissinger, Dave
• 111 Lazarchick, Michael
• 101 O’Brien, Mike
• 92 Bohan, Marc
• 83 Champion, Stephanie
• 81 Champion, Joe
• 74 Borillo, Ed
• 70 Depiano, Jimmy
• 65 Deckard, Mike
• 62 Schuck, Ernie
• 54 Stocker, Phil
• 52 Swanson, Andy
• 37 Spickler, Jeff
• 36 MacGregor, Keith
• 34 Czachorowski, Art
• 23 Freddie Hubbard
• 13 Finger, Bill Tobias

The 2023 OCAGA TOUR was packed with talented Rookies. Indeed, the Hofbräuhaus is clearly a major contender for glory. John Larson finished 1st in the Regular Season. Ernie Schuck with an outgoing personality and quick wit became another favorite, displaying moments of great potential. The addition of The Hammer, William Tiberius Finger, extricated WOW from virtually everyone with his rocket drives at Buena. VEGAS already has him as the favorite for Rookie of the Year next season. The Babbity Bowster  Scotish Pub opened with Keith MacGregor making a Tour Appearance. There is hope he will play next season with his extensive social obligations organized to allow greater participation. In the Bistro the Godfather explained to Bruno why Jimmy Depiano is a serious challenge to Larson for Rookie of the Year. In addition to his moments of excellence in tournaments for someone so new to the game, his character and wisdom are beyond reproach. He truly transcends any hints of jingoism between drinking establishments. Jimmy just wants to play golf and he reaches out to everyone, regardless of allegiance, as long as they respect the game. He truly embodied the finest spirit of competition when he orchestrated a comped round of golf, inviting Larson, Lazarchick and Finger, to play the private Atlantic City Country Club, one of America’s oldest and most prestigious. They were treated like royalty.

Needless to say Swanson’s Health Products stock bumped up significantly with Andy’s return to competition. With their heartthrob back, the Girl Scouts were able to stop their crying about roll model Stephanie Champions. They truly believed she would have been able to at least tie 5th place Andy which would have been enough points to catch OB. She was coming off a low 90s victory at the Vineyard. Certainly she learned from her mistakes in the 2022, the 105 struggle at Buena and would be able to shave off 5 strokes. They so wanted to see the first woman ever in the OCAGA Championship.

Marc Bohan was the Big SCATS winner with Dave Kissinger a strong second.

SCATS

RESULTS

SCORECARD

The Final Four Decided to play Pinelands for the Championship on October 19th at 10:30. If anyone else wants to play they need to contact the Secretary as soon as possible so that he can create an appropriate event.