The sky was sunny with scattered white cumulis clouds, not too hot, not to cold, with a gentle breeze cooling the summer day. Twisted Dune would be a formidable challenge for the OCAGA Tour professonals in the 2025 Season. There was a big celebration at the Italian Bistro. The Borrillo Craft Brewery ( aka Birrificio Borrillo) in the Sannio Region of Italy, sent The Godfather a selection of craft beers, including Birrificio Artigianale Borrillo, Molinara Golden Ale. They were honoring, the now 82 year old, Ed Borillo’s 2002 Championship, at that time the only modern day “Italian” title. Nick Palermo in 1981 and Naz Costanza in 1985 had been the only others ever to make the Champions list. While Ed is revered and has a shrine at the Bistro main entrance, the big crowd of “younger” people came to see Dave Kissinger, who started the day in 5th Place for the season. Not since Little Tony and Big Charlie and of course the Big Boomer, Rob Juliano (2016 Champion), have the fans seen such a promising contender. Twisted is Dave’s favorite course and VEGAS liked his chances.

Because Lazarchick won the last tournament at the Vineyards with a 20 handicap and was now playing a harder course carrying an 18 handicap, Pierre at the Petite Café easily convinced the patrons to join him and make a substantial collective bet with the Polish American Tavern. He did not think Bazyli, the biggest gambler at theTavern, was smart enough to notice that Marc Bohan’s handicap was back up to 10. Marc had gross scores of 82, 83, 41 and 81 in the first four tournaments, all but one, net par or better. His one over at Buena was a second place finish. He was leading the league in points. None the less, the very pretty barmaid Golabeczku, had no problem collecting “extra money” from all the men to bet on the Doctor.

Once again Mike O’Brien was in His seat at the Irish Pub, still not able to withstand the summer heat for 18 holes. Becoming the oldest ever OCAGA Champion in 2023, knocking off John Larson, Dave Kissinger and Michael Lazarchick, escalated his legendary status. With the gentlest soul on the tour, OB is humble, kind and considered a Spiritual Elder, well liked even beyond the Pub doors. He got everyone engaged in watching Jim Cummings, clearly a strong contender for Rookie of the Year. Out of the gate strong, Jim dropped Birdie on the second hole electrifying the crowd. OB bought everyone a round of Lilkenny, an Irish Cream Ale that began its life in the St. Francis Abbey Brewery.

Angieszka was serving Zywiec on Tap and a nice selection of zakąski prepared by her grandmother Katarzyna. She only uses Pastured Meats and fresh produce from the Tavern’s Regenerative Organic Certified Garden (ROC). Kasimer told Stanislaw, that after the Doctor, a protege of Old Kat, shocked the crowd at the Vineyard, winning with a strong finish, he was impressed by the considerable enthusiasm permeating the Tavern. When LZ Birdied the difficult fifth hole, Driver, Two Wood, Four Wood, 20 Foot Putt, Angieska cried out he’s playing like Czach! Indeed, at the Cafe a very subdued ambience was slowly drenching the gathering. Pierre was distraught as Marc did not win the first six holes. It was Lazarchick dropping the putts, hitting closest to the Pin for Points on number 8 and Bohan just missing. Fran Middleman told LZ he was on fire, duly impressed watching a masterpiece turning the corner with a front nine 39.

New to the tour, Fran was delivering a respectable outing, not fully in control of his short game, keeping pace with Bohan, Cummings, Larson, Kissinger, Fleming and Borillo, breaking fifty on the hardest course yet encountered by the tour. He would finish in a tie with Phil Stocker and take ninth place with a lower handicap. The Burrough of Stockertown , population 910, opened a Stocker Bar on the Promenade, featuring a selection from the Stockertown Craft Brewery. A guest speaker from the American Association of People with Disabilities cut the ribbon and shared how inspirational Phil has been, still playing Golf all these years after he won Back to Back OCAGA Championships 2007 and 2008. A representative from the Norweigian Stocker Cruises spoke of his generosity and gentle heart, always willing to sign autographs for fans. Needless to say, the fan base was ecstatic with Phil’s Net 79 finish.

John Larson, Joe Champion, Eddie Hannan, Bill Finger and Dan Swanson, struggled with control, all posting net scores over 80. The fairways were wide and forgiving. The fescue stole balls. The Champion’s Club was happy because Joe with some long shots off the tee, again won the most SCATS. But in the Hofbräuhaus, Carine could not stop crying witnessing both John and William Tiberius struggling on the same day. John admitted he was in a slump. Bill set a record for lost balls. Recently retired from broadcasting, Golf analysis Ian Baker Finch, a long time follower of the OCAGA Tour, was visiting the Promenade. Watching Dan Swanson’s struggle, he recommended movement to the Gold Tees. He told fans that golf is mostly in the head. Twisted Dune looks long and daunting, causing some player to doubt their swing. When they try to hit too far with a bigger, faster swing, they can easily lose control and spray the ball. He quoted PGA Golf Professional Francis Kringle, the great Kringoli, who gave many lessons to Michael Lazarchick, “How soft can you hit the ball and still make it go?”

Lazarchick missed a less than 10 foot putt on the tenth hole, something that had not happened in the first nine holes. Then on eleven he pulled his drive short, to the edge of the high grass, lost a stroke coming out, missed a chip and a putt, ending with a triple bogie. The magic was over. The Tavern got quiet. After play the front 3 over par, he played the first two holes on the back, 4 over par. When the scores were posted on the leader board, the field remembering LZ’s Buena Back Blowup, began to reevaluate their positions. The Godfather told Bruno, “He only needs a glimmer of hope” referring to Ed Borillo who was still in the lead by 3 at the turn. With Lazarchick faltering, Ruthann, Dave, Wayne and Jim were all in play. Of course, everyone was watching Marc.

In the Café, Pierre was disgruntled. Marc was steadily chipping away strokes, but ultimately was unable to catch and pull away from Ruthann. Indeed, he finally ran out of holes. When they both had double bogies on eighteen, Ruthann finished sixth, a stroke ahead of seventh place Marc. The girl scouts were delirious with joy.

Wayne and Dave were in a personal battle. The lead went back and forth all through eighteen holes, smoldering tension throughout their fan bases. Tied at the turn, Wayne went up on thirteen, Dave up on fourteen, tied on sixteen, Dave on seventeen, tied on eighteen. Appropriately it was a dead heat forth place finish! OB bought another round as Jim Cummings played his best tournament of the year. O’Malley, The Curmudgeon, continually complained when he searched the fescue “too much” to help Dan Swanson. Jim was consistent none the less, another hole or one more stroke away from catching Lazarchick, taking third. In the Tavern, Kasimer and Stanislaw were befuddled. They rehashed and compared “The Doctor’s” marvelous front nine with his questionable judgement, bad luck, errant swings and putts that no longer found the holes, throughout the back. The sub 80 wishful dream, the almost certain finish in the 80s, the steady March to the low 90s and a second place finish, tempered the celebration, drastically diluting what was early a spectacular affluent triumphant rejoice.

The Godfather, sipping Disaronno Originale on the rocks, was very, very pleased. Dave Kissinger jumped past Joe Champion and John Larson into third place for the season. Ed Borillo maintained his lead, the lead he held throughout the tournament. 102 year old Signora Ginevra, purportedly little Eddie’s babysitter, unleashed a Limoncello fueled, flood of joyous tears. The Godfather bought the patrons in boisterous conviviality a round of Peroni Nastro Azzurro. Another Victory would be added to the shrine at the entrance to the Italian Bistro.

RESULTS

SCORECARD

SCATS

Points After Twisted

105 Lazarchick,Michael
96 Bohan, Marc
89 Kissinger, Dave
82 Larson, John
81 Champion, Joe
70 Finger, Bill
70 Swanson, Andy
65 Borillo, Ed
62 MacGregor, Keith
62 Finger, Ruthann
55 Cummings, Jim
54 Fleming, Wayne
44 Hannan, Eddie
44 Antczak, Rich
31 Swanson, Dan
37 Stocker, Phil

23 Wescott, Bob
20 Cummings, Sue
18 Middleman, Fran

NEXT: Pitman Golf Course

WEDNESDAY ***** AUGUST 6 ***** 11:30 1st Tee Time