Joe Champion of course shattered the glass ceiling when he brought his daughter Stephanie into OCAGA. The men at all the establishments, except the Champion Club, were sure it would degrade play.The chatter was about how a woman could not compete and her significant beauty was clearly distracting. When Stephanie announced her intention to play from the Senior Tees, they were surprised. When she out drove legendary Art Czachorowski, most were dumbfounded. When she won multiple tournaments, the gallery following her expanded, substantially. While Andy Swanson, their dreamboat, brought the girl scouts to the tour, it was Stephanie who showed them women could play with the best and win!     She reached legendary status. In 2026 it is Ruthann Finger and Susan Cummings keeping the scouts engaged along with wishful thinking that Steph might find a way to play in another tournament.    

Marc Bohan opened the tournament Birdie Birdie, much to the chagrin of Jim Cummings who immediately found himself 4 stroke behind in gross score.     Ruthann opened Par Par Par, super charging scout “Ruthann Ruthann” chanting. She captured the early net lead. The Champions Club and Polish American Tavern however, erupted with enthusiasm as Joe and Michael Lazarchick, sporting their highest handicaps in years, entered the battle for the lead. LZ Birdied the 3rd hole dropping a 30 foot putt center cup. Marc would post a low gross 84 and once again Jim would just fall short with an 85. Eddie Hannan’s magic was gone as he labored up to 112. One half the field scored 99 or over 100 on a difficult track. Only the good putters broke 90, Marc, Jim and Michael and they all had their share of makeable near misses.    At the turn Champion had the lead with his handicap tying Cummings at a gross 44. Lazarchick was second with a gross 42 just off Bohan’s blistering pace at 40.  Jim would finish 3rd and take over the point lead for the season. Keith MacGregor  took 4th and Phil Stocker 5th. At Le Petite Café  Pierre was  grumbling about high handicaps, but he knew Marc’s was not going to climb. OB in the Pub explained that Jim’s likely would drop, but Ed Hannan’s would likely climb. 

Joe has only played in OCAGA this season and Michael missed the first tournament and otherwise just has a handful 9 hole league rounds weakened by Chemo and Cancer Fatigue.  Both were playing well, obviously with enough rounds to stabilize their game. When both of them entered the league, natural talent was obvious. Chuck Cole, Lazarchick’s brother in law, boyhood friend of Joe, commented he was always good at all the sports  he played. Lazarchick, was carrying a 24 handicap when he shot a net 2 under to win a round during his first season. It was incredibly exciting watching their Blue Heron duel. Joe had two sixes, a seven and an eight, mitigated by four pars. Michael hit six four times, but sunk his second par five Birdie on the back. He just did not have enough to erase enough strokes. Stanislaw and Kasimir were thrilled with his effort and disappointed that he did not win. The Champion’s Club went ballistic with Joy.    

SCORECARD

SCATS

RESULTS

NEXT:

RUNNING DEER WEDNESDAY JULY 22nd 12 NOON FIRST TEE TIME

Please arrive 1/2 hour before first tee time.