According to the OCAGA Investigative Reporter, the morning of the tournament conversations on the Promenade were all about John Larson. While the far right voiced warning about the perils of enlarged government, the far left praised the actions of the new president moving sharply away from the Champion Administration practices. While Joe, a staunch opponent of taxes, set dues at $25, John doubled the contribution to $50 this season. Joe is considered by the vast majority to have been the best President since the golden age, when dues were $100, under the GOAT Phil Stocker, Greatest Of All Time. However, Secretary Lazarchick purportedly wielded extensive power and at times was accused of not appropriately implementing the will of the Champion administration. Here in the infancy of the Larson administration, William Tiberius Finger has been appointed Executive Director Recruiting and Scheduling, see website. Positive results were immediately apparent. He reviewed the website and informed the secretary about a name missing in the paid dues list. Further, because of Bill’s relationship with the Buena owner, OCAGA was not fined for no shows. They have a fairly strict 24 hours policy for cancellations which was 9:34 on Tuesday. Lazarchick supposedly missed the message that Phil Stocker was not healthy enough to play. He was not aware that Bob Wescott had a last minute call to work. Jim Cummings ended up going to the Vineyard.

Additionally, President Larson has directed the Secretary to place Richie Antczak, into the position of Tournament Scheduling Czar. This is despite the reporting, that he chose not to pay his full share of 2025 Association Membership Dues, see website, “until he sees how good a job is being done!” In the Polish American Tavern Kasimer was telling Stanislaw that Antczak, who just arrived back from the Arizona Tour, has already sent the Secretary, a list of potential venues with contact information. Purportedly, the new president has issued and executive order to clarify a practice already implemented in T-Box Play. Those who have reached 80, any player with a handicap limiting distance, and any female may elect to to play from the forward, Red Tees. The OCAGA Presidential Historian, in the Tavern at the time, reminded Kas and Stan that it was under the Stocker Administration that the Gold Tees became available for any player over 60! President Larson’s first President’s Message is also, the shortest, but possibly the most impactful in all history of the Association. It is well know that the retired Engineer is brilliant and well versed in the world of high technology. He meets with the Secretary every Monday and Tuesday evening and purportedly they have discussed memory issues with advancing age.

John Larson Speaks: “If needed, I will personally show you how to use your cell phone to navigate the three pages of our Website, https://ocaga.golf. You will then have access to the latest information about everything you need to know about the OCAGA Tour.”

The debate, exchange of information and any controversy quickly subsided when the first group teed off. Buena Vista, while not as pristine as Pinelands, offered very nice greens that were well protected by bunkers. It would be a day when 6 Sandy’s would be dropped for SCATS, LZ on 3 & 9, Marc on 5 and 9, John on 10, Bill on 12. Needless to say, the Polish American Tavern sent waves of jubilation out onto the Promenade, followed quickly by Le Petite Café, then the Hofbräuhaus. Marc, a heavy favorite with VEGAS predicting three Buena victories in as many years, was hot quickly en route to placing a sweet 40 on the front nine scorecard. The Doctor posted a 45, followed by John and Richie with 46. Andy Swanson at 47 and the highest handicap of this group, was very nicely placed. The leaders at the turn however, were Ruthann Finger with a 49, Bill Finger and Ed Borello with 50, in a tight. exciting battle of high handicappers.

John cut off two strokes to Marc on ten, spiking Larson’s Hot Stone Massage Therapy stock. But, Marc took four strokes back on the next two holes, highlighted with a 12th hole Birdie. As other tour players lit up the board with sevens and eights, the Café crowd, pleased with Marc’s march, could not help but start chanting the song, “The Victory is Ours” (La victoire est à nous) A lot of balls found the sand traps. Many players took more than one attempt to get out, while Marc with golfing artistry, showed not the least bit of concern. Pierre quieted the crowd by suggesting a possible jinx with such early celebration and passed out La Fin du Monde on the house, imported from the Unibroue Brewery in Quebec. Marc was steadily chipping away the strokes he was giving to higher handicaps. Eddie Hannen and Keith MacGregor seemed totally overwhelmed by the course. Keith had one very bright spot when he took Closest to the Pin for three points on the 12th hole. The only other Closest to the Pin was Joe Champion on the 17th hole. The Tavern was in disbelief as Michael Lazarchick imploded on the 13th hole and seemingly could no longer hit even normally easy shots playing the back 9 strokes higher than the front. Richie Antczak beat him by virtue of handicap tiebreaker, one stroke better than Dan Swanson and Dave Kissinger.

Joe Champion and Bill Finger were in their own battle. in the middle of the field. Joe finished par bogey picking up 4 strokes on the last two hole. Once again he took a Closest to the Pin to the bank with a very strong finish. The kids were elated at The Champion’s Club . Bill lost to all the contenders playing the last two holes 6 over par.

The Girl Scouts were following Andy Swanson and Richie Antczak early, both in their first tournament of the year. By breaking 50 on the front however, Ruthann Finger captured their full attention. Not since Stephanie Champion won Atlantis in 2022 and then the Vineyard in 2023, did they have a role model to show them what was possible on the OCAGA Tour. She was engaged in a stupendous battle with four OCAGA Champions, all making a charge to the victory circle. On the 13th hole, Borello’s triple quieted the Italian Bistro. Many were already visualizing another trophy in his shrine. Swanson’s Health Food stock dipped down when Andy took a double bogey. Both Larson and Bohan dropped par slicing away one more stroke from Ruthann. The fans were nervous. This was a tight race. Every stroke counted. Ed’s triple on fourteen would give him a sixth place finish despite a strong finish over the next four holes. Andy, took a double on seventeen, a slight burp in his late charge. Aided by a nice recovery par on eighteen, he finished fifth.

Ruthann, Marc, Joe and John would all Bogey eighteen. It was the seventeenth that determined the victor. The tension in the gallery was dripping a veil of anxiety. Player after player, over half the field, struggled to double or triple bogey over the water. It really was not a great distance. With pars Marc Bohan and Joe Champion caught Ruthann who suffered a double bogey. The Scouts could not stop a trickle of tears of mixed emotions. While not the win, they saw a stunning performance. It was a finish of substantial excellence, against the lowest handicapper on the Tour. Both She and Marc finished at net 73 with Joe Champion. In the Café there was stunned silence, while the nearby Hofbräuhaus erupted in a fervor of exultation. John Larson dropped a nasty Birdie to go up by one stroke. The Tour Champion looked invigorated. Finishing with a clutch putt, he would win with the only net par of the day.

SCORECARD

RESULTS

SCATS

NEXT ***** VINEYARD NATIONAL ***** June 18th ***** Wednesday ***** 1:00