David Lughermo and Scott Kremer, from the University of Maryland GC, produced three birdies, two bogeys to register 37 stableford points and win the Men’s Back Tees division on a match of cards in the season’s first One-Day tournament, sponsored and conducted by the Maryland State Golf Association at Norbeck Country Club in Rockville, April 22.
The team of Ronnie Kim, from Argyle CC, and Robbie Zanville, from Norbeck CC, also posted 37 points, and the committee broke the tie using the USGA recommended method with a match of cards on the back nine, last six, last three, and eighteenth hole. Kim-Zanville settled for second gross after tallying two points with a par 4 at the final hole, while Lughermo made birdie to earn three points for his side.
The format for the 29 teams was four-ball with stableford points, and the course was played at 6,356 yards for the Back-tee group and 5,760 for those playing from the Forward tees. A stableford format awards points for each hole by comparing the number of strokes you have taken (including strokes made and penalty strokes) to the fixed target score for the hole. The target score is determined by the committee, and for MSGA One-Day events, the target score for each hole is par.
Point values are determined by the committee and follow Rule 21.1(b) of the Rules of Golf:
- more than one over the target score (double-bogey or higher) – 0 points
- one over the target score (bogey) – 1 point
- fixed target score (par) – 2 points
- one under the fixed target score (birdie) – 3 points
- two under the fixed target score (eagle) – 4 points
If the side does not hole out under the Rules for any reason in a stableford format, both players get zero points for the hole and are not disqualified. Players are encouraged to pick up on a hole when their score will be zero points, which is helpful for pace of play.
Tim Talbot, from Glenn Dale GC, and Michael Thomas, Crofton CC, earned low net with 43 points. They combined for three natural birdies, six net birdies and two bogeys. In the process, they edged Jason Dunham, MSGA E-Club, and Steve Abbundi, Montgomery CC, who finished with 42 points. They had three natural birdies and six net birdies, and their score was offset with 3 bogeys.
In the Forward tees division, Al Adana, from CC Woodmore, and Jose Salamanca, Richland GC, collected low gross with 38 points, highlighting the round with four birdies. Fred Douglas, from Argyle CC, and Joel Sandler, Montgomery CC, finished second with 37 points.
Steve Katz, from Clustered Spires GC, and Alex Wang, from MSGA E-Club, included two net eagles by Wang (a par-4 birdie with a stoke and a par-4 with two shots) and seven net birdies, including five on the front nine. They finished with 47 points. Bob Chase, from Montgomery CC, and Ray Hutzler, from Laytonsville GC, followed in second place with 43 points. Chase-Hutzler tied David Luber, Greystone GC, and Kevin Meng, Manor CC, at 43 net points, with the back nine score breaking the tie (Chase-Hutzler, 22, Luber-Meng, 21).
The next One-Day tournamnet will be May 6 at the Suburban Club in Pikesville, with a Chapman/Pinehurst format. The full schedule is available from the MSGA web site.
Men’s – Back
1st Net – Tim Talbot-Mike Thomas
1st Gross – Scott Kremer-Dave Lughermo*
2nd Net – Jason Dunham-Steve Abbundi
2nd Gross – Ronnie Kim-Robbie Zanville
Men’s – Forward
1st Net – Steve Katz-Alex Wang
1st Gross – Al Aldana-Jose Salamanca
2nd Net – Bob Chase-Ray Hutzler*
2nd Gross – Fred Douglas-Joel Sandler
Back Tees (6356 Yards) 71.1, 128
Forward Tees (5790 Yards) 68.1, 124
*Won on scorecard playoff
Reported by John Stewart
