The secretary was up at dawn. It was raining and had been doing so, all night. There was a huge storm on radar with thunder and lightning in the sky. It was still raining when he called Vineyard National just after 8. It would be Cart Path Only if the course allowed players. The rain was predicted to stop by 11, 12 or 1 depending upon which radar we wanted to believe. Queries, first email and then text messages and finally telephone calls were made to determine the will of the league players. Only Andy Swanson wanted to cancel and Rich Antczak equivocated between playing and not playing. The storm was traveling east and the rain was falling heavily at the shore. The Flanders Nature Center was honoring Wayne Fleming, the oldest person in the tournament, who looks far younger than his 83 years and biologically they think, is a good 10 years younger. There is hope that one day his wife may come and play in a tour event. Norwegian Cruise Line was not happy. Even before a Stocker Cruises left port, Phil would hit custom made biodegradable sea life food golf balls into the bay. His fan base is enormous. While he is still healing, he does occasionally send off a “bomb,” inciting voluminous cheers. They knew he would not be able to play Cart Path Only. When the Secretary called President Larson he was directed to get the players to the course. Radar scans suggested no rain by T- Time and the possibility of afternoon sunshine. William Tiberius Finger had set up a $25 deal for 18 holes, utilizing the Rain Check. There was plenty of money in the treasury for financial protection, but all 15 players did show up.

The Promenade was crowded with Girl Scouts. Both Andy Swanson and “Richie, Richie, He’s Too Cute” Antczak were on they way to the course. Ruthann Finger was expected to play in her “third” tournament, second to only Stephanie Champion, who broke the Glass Ceiling. Steph was the only woman to became a member until this year. She won two OCAGA Tournaments. The excitement was escalating towards a fever pitch with the added word that Sue Cummings was finally coming to play in a tournament!

Le Petite Café was showing a video of the Marc Bohan June 25th makeup round for this tournament. He played with Keith MacGregor, Eddie Hannan and Dan Swanson who were playing a makeup for the 9 hole tournament played on June 18th. Marc dropped par on seven of the first nine holes for a sizzling 38. He slightly cooled off on the back coasting in for a sweet 81, net par, delivering a classic on one of the tour’s most difficult challenges. With Joe Champion the only person to hit net par in the 9 hole lightning shortened tournament, followed by five over on 10 and 11 before the match was called, Vegas offered 2 to 1 odds of any member posting a lower net on the 18 hole, wet, Cart Path Only event. Pierre had no difficulty collecting significant cash from the cafe patrons to place a big bet on Marc.

Sue Cummings and Ruthann Finger struggled on the first two holes, but Sue dropped a dart on # 3 and sunk a Closest to the Pin Birdie. Playing with Dave Kissinger and Eddie Hannan, if it was Match Play, head to head, hole by hole, the ladies crushed the men. Sue took another Closest to the Pin on # 16. By the end of the tournament they had attracted a huge gallery of Girl Scouts and received a rousing accolade as they approached the 18th tee.

The Babbity Bowser was featuring Wee Heavy Craft Scottish Ale on tap. It was splashing wildly through the air as jumping cheerers finally saw Keith MacGregor display his ability. With a gross 42 on the front he was a stroke better than current tour champion, John Larson, who kept it close with a Birdie on #3. Larson Hot Stone Massage took a bullish surge in the market. The Polish American Tavern was featuring Żywiec, considered Europe’s Best Pale Lager, honoring the Richie Antczak Tour Membership Renewal. At both Buena Vista and the June Vineyard Tournament, with a slow methodical swing, Richie was cutting the center of the fairways spurring fan optimism. But it was the Doctor who delivered a front nine forty six keeping pace with Joe Champion who was pounding drives down the fairways. Joe of course electrified the Champions Club winning the last Vineyard tournament. Andy Swanson and Bill Finger broke fifty on the front with handicaps that kept them in the hunt.

The Systembolaget opened a new establishment on the Promenade. Åbro Bryggeri regional brewery sponsored an open bar with kegs of Ey’Bro to go with Swanson Health Foods, Green Lipped Mussels, the “Ultimate Joint health and Mobility Supplement (Perna canaliculus). Of course, Andy’s OCAGA Championship photo is proudly displayed at the entrance.

Hofbräuhaus was exceptionally boisterous. John Larson, William Tiberious, Ruthann were in play and Fran Middleman was a guest, new to OCAGA. Albrecht the geneology historian postulated the possibility of a connection to the German surname Mittelmann and everyone was asking if the Investagative Reported had interviewed Fran. His power was obviously impressive. With more control he would be a formidable contender. Fritz told Hans, that like Dan Swanson, on the most difficult tract the tour plays, the mind game can interfere with scoring well. Fritz remembered watching Lazarchick finish last in his f‏irst OCAGA tournament. It was then that Ruthann sunk a Nasty on # eleven igniting thunderous applause. Her husband, aka The Hammer, was sending drive after drive into play in a tight battle with Swanson, MacGregor, Larson, Lazarchick and Sue Cummings. They all knew they would need a net par to get more points than Marc Bohan.

Nearby in the Irish Pub, Mike O’Brien was in His Seat signing autographs. He no longer could play in the summer heat, much less on a Cart Path Only day. His 2023 Championship picture was on display on the center wall behind the bar. A large contingent of Girl Scouts were outside the front door watching the tournament on the Promenade Big Screen. While Sue was in contention for low gross score, her husband Jim suffered through little, uncharacteristic, mistakes on the front,with less than ideal putting. Jim paid his dues earlier in the day becoming the 15th 2025 member. Both LZ and Joe had him by five strokes at the turn. He quickly shaved off four of Joe’s strokes in the first three back 9 holes and took one from LZ, catching the Pub’s attention. Perhaps Sue’s energy finally reached him. When they play together they are formidable, intrinsically energetically connected. He would fly by Joe on the back and give The Doctor a run for the money, but the hill was just to high to climb.

Michael Lazarchick glanced up at the board. He saw John’s 43 and the 42 of both Sue and Keith. He took a deep breath looking down the fairway on ten. He had not tried to out drive Joe or Jim. He recommitted to his slow, rhythmic swing. He appreciated the gentle breeze and puffy white clouds in the sunshine sky that had replaced the early morning rain. It was truly a beautiful day. Jim commented it was starting to get steamy, but LZ loved the comfort of heat. The trio easily kept up with the foursome in front of them and had time for conversations. Michael commented about Joe growing up across the street from his brother in law who brought Joe to the tour describing him as a natural athlete, great at all sports. Joe responded that he had not played golf for years and spoke about first learning golf ethics from his uncle teacher. Jim shook his head slightly and Michael chuckled to himself. Joe’s hitting distance was formidable, but he was impatient. He was continually rushing to hit his ball to the extent that it was prudent to check where he was before hitting your own if you were farther away. Both Michael and Jim had brought up his cart, left far behind. Regardless of who had honors on the tee box, Joe would often hit first. Michael needed to go through a calming routine and knew that was not Joe.

LZ thought to himself, Joe could be considered just the opposite of Marc Bohan who was called a slow deliberate player, but I really cannot criticize what creates a winning formula. He then sent his drive down the middle of the fairway just short of his two opponents. On the challenging thirteenth hole he was pleased to get on the front of the green using a 3 iron just short of Jim in the middle. Joe Champion dropped one 5 feet from the back of the green cup taking a Birdie Greenie to the bank. After two straight pars, Lazarchick caught Wayne Fleming who would finish 10th. Joe Champion faded, finishing 9th. Jim Cummings passed them both for 8th.

At the Tavern, Casimer told Stanislaw that The Doctor was in the Zone. Michael felt very comfortable and his confidence grew with every swing. His drives hit their positional targets in the fairways and he was reaching greens in regulation. He caught Dave Kissinger who finished 7th. Andy Swanson and Sue Cummings were in their own battle, neck and neck, exchanging the lead back and forth, both finishing even par. Sue had the tie breaker taking 5th. LZ passed them both. Bill Finger delivering his best round of the season, well under par, was on the twelfth tee. He was watching John Larson, while holding an eleven stroke lead. Michael was watching them both. Putts that saved the front were snagging pars on the back. He caught John going ahead on fourteen. They both were chasing William Tiberius. Even with driver, 2 wood, LZ had difficulty reaching the par five holes and focused on at least making bogies. Otherwise, the pars kept dropping. Lazarchick continued to chip away strokes. The Haus was becoming quiet. Suddenly, the Tavern exploded with exaltation, sheer jubilation. The pars kept dropping. He caught Bill on sixteen and pulled away on each of the last two holes. John and Bill finished two under. Michael won by three. The Polish American Tavern serenaded the Promenade, chanting Doctor, Doctor!

SCORECARD

RESULTS

SCATS Sue Cummings and Joe Champion take the Lion’s Share. Ruthann Finger and Eddie Hannan make a profit. Lazarchick, MacGregor, Kissinger, Dan Swanson and Bill Finger get their money back.

POINTS AFTER FOUR Not surprising, Marc Bohan retained his first position in the regular season point total. With the victory Lazarchick leapfrogged the pack to 2nd place. Larson jumped up into a tie with Joe Champion.Kissinger, Swanson and Bill Finger are very close to the door, looking in to the Final Four slots that will play for the title.

82 Bohan, Marc
79 Lazarchick,Michael
72 Champion, Joe
72 Larson, John
70 Kissinger, Dave
70 Swanson, Andy
63 Finger, Bill
49 MacGregor, Keith
47 Finger, Ruthann
44 Antczak, Rich
40 Borillo, Ed
36 Hannan, Eddie
35 Fleming, Wayne
34 Cummings, Jim
31 Swanson, Dan
23 Wescott, Bob
22 Stocker, Phil
10 Dilks, George
6 Daino, Bob
6 Middleman, Fran

Next TWISTED DUNE WEDNESDAY JULY 23RD 1ST TEE TIME 11:09