The greens were fast and in beautiful condition among the best the Tour has played this season. The fairways were decent. The rough was filled with crabgrass. Fortunately it was cut low. The air was heavy, damp with occasional light misty rain, and chilly. The course was long, even from the most forward Gold Tees. Only the powerful big hitters were able to hit for distances. Indeed, the “Old Guy,” as a threesome, all playing together for the first time, used 306 strokes to transverse the course. Getting on in regulation was rare. Focus and concentration was difficult. Going up two or three clubs was common. Half the field would hit 100 or more, six finished between 97 and 99, and only one player was able to get close to breaking 90. It was a very difficulty day. No one said “I can’t wait to play this course again.”

Larson and Lazarchick, Fleming and Ruthann Finger, Jim and Sue Cummings entered a battle to not finish last among regular players. The Girl Scouts were protesting the absence of forward Red Tees. They waved makeshift signs claiming unfair for Ruthann and Sue. Sue had not posted scores in the low nineties since August. Her 97 yielded a tie for 8th place with her husband. With the same net score score Ruthann would claim 10th place reaching her highest score of the season. Wayne Flemming totally melted down, exuding frustration, missing normally easy shots. They all beat Larson and Lazarchick, sporting handicaps among the lowest. Wayne 11th, John 12th and Lazarchick 13th only finished ahead of newcomer Joe Bradley totally overwhelmed in his first encounter with the OCAGA Tour.

Peroni Brewery, founded by Francesco Peroni in Vigevano, Italy, in 1846, sent the Italian Bistro kegs of their delicate pale lager. Brewed with Italian maize and noble hops, it has a subtle hint of citrus zest and a floral aroma. Young Mirabella, a fresh graduate of the Italian Culinary Institute, prepared an incredible artistic Aperitif of savory snacks: olives, nuts, cheese boards, pastured charcuterie, crudités with hummus dips, bruschetta, avocado tartines, mini pizzas and marinated vegetables. When Dave Kissinger turned the corner with the gross lead, the Godfather told Bruno to buy a round for the house. To honor Ed Borillo, leading against LZ and Wayne and challenging the big guns again, all Mirabella “snacks” became compliments of the house.

The Big Guns, Champion, Finger, Swanson and Middleman were all driving with authority. In the Irish Pub OB was sharing wisdom. Especially as Eddie Hannan was challenging for a top five finish and taking Closest to the Pin on number four, he felt it was appropriate to talk about the source of his surname Ó hAnnáin. There was a long line of patrons in line to buy OB a Smithwick Red Ale on special this tournament. Eddie’s 7th place finish was encouraging. Jim and Sue Cummings were a formidable pair, boding well for the future. The Champions Club was packed with optimistic believers with Joe less than twenty points from the Final Four. They remember last season’s dramatic finish, making the finals by virtue of the Closest to the Pin 3 Points. They adored his clutch performance ability. He finished just one stroke out of fourth place in a very respectable 6th place.

The Hofbräuhaus was fully enjoying their belief of being the most powerful on the Promenade. John Larson is the reigning champion and elicited roaring cheers taking Closest to the Pin on eight and then again on twelve. While it was otherwise his worst finish of the season, they knew the next tournament would be Centerton where he posted a 75 last season. Bill Finger on the other hand was blasting drives in play, in a titanic battle with Andy Swanson and Fran Middleman. He would tie Andy who took 4th to his 5th by virtue of lower handicap. Bill soared up to catch the falling John Larson, now tied in the race for the final four, a few stroke above Marc Bohan with one tournament left before the finals. Swanson health foods did spike up and the Girl Scouts were clearly overwhelmed with the display of power. Fran middleman elicited reverberant echoes of continual chants, “Rookie of the Year,” throughout the Haus, as he displayed an exquisite second place finish.

The Bistro was was in a symphonic orgy of musical cheers, food, and drink. Ed Borillo split the middle of the young bombers, finishing one stroke more than Fran to capture 3rd. When Ed does well the Chant “Small Glimmer of Hope” cascades out the doors and mugs of Peroni Nastro Azzurro are raised high into the air. On this day, the Godfather was drinking a Campari Negroni Cocktail, completely relishing the play of Dave Kissinger. Dave electrified the fan base with a Birdie on the second hole and low gross of 45 at the turn. His drives with authority and a draw were nicely cutting the fairways. While he did struggle on the back nine par fives letting a few players have some hope, otherwise he was solid. When he dropped his second Birdie on sixteen the door was slammed shut. He cruised to a four stroke win. Fiorella, the Bistro bookkeeper, calculated quickly, and informed everyone the Dave had taken over first place for the season. The Godfather smiled. Kissinger was in the Final Four.

Points Player
150 Kissinger, Dave
148 Lazarchick, Michael
131 Finger, Bill
131 Larson, John
129 Bohan, Marc
118 Champion, Joe
117 Swanson, Andy
101 Borillo, Ed
89 Cummings, Sue
81 Cummings, Jim
71 Flemming,Wayne
56 Middleman, Fran
45 Finger, Ruthann
44 Stocker, Phil*
29 Hannan, Eddie
7 Bradley, Joe

RESULTS

SCORECARD

SCATS

NEXT CENTERTON

WEDNESDAY

September 24th 9:58 First T Time