The OCAGA Tour opened at Pinelands on a beautiful fairly warm day.

Le Petit Café was very quiet as patrons watched the rust slowly drip off Marc. Of course he made a charge, but too many late bogies and only one birdie left him out of the money. Lazarchick, after his COVID crash late last season was obviously stronger, but instead of a late run he finished the last five holes 8 over par, looking tired. With the passing of legendary Art Czachorowsky and Richie Antzcak apparently still on the Arizona Tour, The Doctor is the only Tour Player left from the once dominant Polish American Tavern. Bill Finger again took advantage and held on for 5th place a stroke better than LZ. The Italian Bistro, already mourning the possibility that Jimmy Depiano would not compete this season, suffered through Kissinger’s fall from the lead to 4th place, 8 strokes over par in the last 5 holes. Dave had been playing the fairway early in the round with decent putting. The Bistro fans suffered with him through some bad luck and some late near misses. Legendary Fast Eddie Borillo is expected to play another season, but was traveling on opening day, a more frequent occurrence for the octogenarian. Swanson’s Health Foods spiked dramatically on the stock market, with a masterful charge by Andy. After a disappointing front and a net score only ahead of Marc Bohan after 9, he began to methodically chip away at the lead. On the back stretch he whizzed by Kissinger 5 strokes better on the last four. Then he squeaked past Lazarchick and Finger, with long pure drives picking up two stokes on each. His power and control escalated with soaring confidence. He just “ran out of holes!” Two better than Larson and three better than MacGregor were just not enough. He finished 3rd.

John and Keith had been battling through 18 holes. Both caught those who were getting strokes and Keith was ahead at the turn. With his handicap, he was five ahead of John after 10. Everybody else was just trying to make the top 5. John finally caught him on sixteen and with the lower handicap had the tie breaker. The tension dropped an immobilizing curtain over the fans. Keith took a deep breath and sent a rocket down the middle of the fairway. Three stroke later he was looking at par. He sunk the putt taking back the stroke. On eighteen placing a 5 on the Scorecard sealed the victory. A shower filled the air from raised pints of Tennent’s Lager, made with the fresh highland water from Loch Katrine, imported by the Pub in honor of Keith’s return to the Tour!

The Irish Pub was in remarkably pleasant revelry cheering on every decent shot of their hero, often raising mugs of Guinness stout and singing together the words “Tour Champion Michael O’Brien!” OB missed too many putts to be in contention but tied Joe Champion for best gross score over 100. Joe however had not picked up a club since last season and did not expect too much. Ernie Schuck was in the same boat, not expecting much, but fully enjoying seeing the other tour players again. Tom Gahr returned after spending a year in the Harbor Pines League to sharpen up his skills. He was a stroke away from beating Bohan and kept up with Wayne Flemming. The Stocker Foundation, which shifted their focus from just literacy to also teaching kids to think critically and creatively, issued a statement that they felt Phil’s Handicap was way too low. The Investigative Reporter subsequently confirmed that the Secretary will adjust all numbers that the Handicapper submits which are obviously not fair.

SCATS

Keith MacGregor and Marc Bohan took the lion’s share of SCATS money. John Larson and Dave Kissinger were respectable second place winners. Joe Champion and Bill Finger took the remainder of the money.

Meeting After Tournament

With a nod from President Joe Champion, Secretary Michael Lazarchick opened the official OCAGA Meeting. Both were reelected for another year unanimously. Reigning Tour Champion Mike O’Brien for President and Phil Stocker for Secretary was mentioned but with neither in attendance, no one would second. Fulfilling a campaign pledge, dues for the 2024 season were reduced by 50% by President Champion, down to $25. Official Members can pay the Secretary/Treasurer at their earliest convenience. The Treasury Report was promised to be published in this edition of the OCAGA News and on the ogaga.golf website on the About page.

$550 Collected in 2023
$100 Website
$200 Final Four Winnings
$26 Trophy Update
$224 Remaining

Bill Finger volunteered to help schedule Tournament.The Tour voted to try and schedule a new tournament every 2 weeks on Wednesday with an option to make up the tournament within a week playing with at least one other OCAGA Member.

The website OCAGA.COM was not renewed when the Provider of Services raised the price to over $200. While some historical information was lost, the OCAGA NEWS promises to print “Recollections” as needed following its motto to be “The Largest News Publication Reporting Exclusively of the OCAGA Tour.” Yes, The OCAGA News Blog did Win the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for American Journalism and Other Fields at the May 6, 2024 meeting of the Board under Sports New Blogs in 2023.

The Blog is the “Home” page at OCAGA.golf with links to “About” and “Ocean City Amateur Golf Association.” About has the list of Champions and the 2024 Rules and other information. Ocean City Amateur Golf Association has the handicaps (updated for each new tournament), results of tournaments and schedule information. President Joe Champion extended thanks to the staff for their fine work, The Blog Writer, Investigative Reporter, History Scribe, Handicapper and The Sanctuary Press Editor.

NEXT BUENA VISTA WEDNESDAY MAY15 10:30