Columbus Day at Harbor Links!

 

News Release by Christian Harrigan

 

Port Washington,  NY (October 14, 2019):   The NY Long Island Golf Channel Amateur Tour (GCAT) visited Harbor Links on Columbus Day for the second tournament of the 2020 season.  Participants enjoyed bright sunshine and relatively warm temperatures at one one of Nassau County’s most spectacular public course layouts.  As was the case in past years, the front nine played much more difficult than the back, and scores and pace of play improved dramatically as the round progressed.  An eclectic mix of regular veterans, and new and returning members emerged as champions. Additionally, the skins contests yielded big payoffs for a few who sunk very well timed birdie putts.   

 

Here are your top finishers for the second tournament of the 2020 season:

 

 

Championship/Palmer Flight ( – 7.9):

  • Bob Lanza (80) played spectacularly on the back 9, carding a two under 34 after a disappointing 10 over 46 on the front 9.  Even that Herculean effort did not yield a win in regulation, but Bob’s hot hand continued into a playoff which he won over Joe Arnold David Thomas.  In addition to the Columbus Day at Harbor Links Championship/Palmer Trophy, Bob was awarded a $100 Visa Gift Card.  

* FYI - While disappointed in the stroke play result, both David and Joe cleaned up in the Skins and Closest to the Pin contests respectively.    

Hogan Flight (8.0 – 11.9):

  • Alex Lundqvist (81) played in the final pairing for Hogans and the top performing Hogans were keenly aware of Alex’s progress via Live Scoring, or at least they thought they were.  There were a few inaccuracies on the high side posted in Alex’s Live scoring so the mental math didn’t hold up when the traditional, and official paper based scorecard was turned in.  In a mid round stretch from the 8th through 14th holes Alex carded five birdies and two birdies. In addition to the Columbus Day at Harbor Links Hogan Flight Trophy Alex was awarded a $200 Visa Gift Card.   

  • Ron Michne (82) the 2019 Long Island Two Day Tour Champion came up just one stroke short of vying for an early 2020 season title.   Ron made a smooth move around the turn, birdying both the difficult 9th and 10th holes. That strong play around the turn continued and Ron finished with a strong 38 on the back 9.  For second place in the Hogan, Ron earned a $100 Visa Gift Card.   

  • Neil Gangitano (83/38) topped John Gandolfo in a match of cardRyan Heyess to earn the third place prize, a $50 Visa Gift Card.  Like the other top performing Hogans, Neil turned it on on the back 9 after grinding through the difficult front 9.  

  • John Gandolfo (83/41) earned a $40 Visa Gift Card for his strong efforts.  While he didn’t card a birdie, John parred half the holes, including five consecutive on the back 9.    

  • Ryan Heyes (84) finished solo 5th to earn a $50 Visa Gift Card.  Ryan also blistered the back 9 with a closing 38.  

Sarazen Flight (12.0 – 15.9):

  • Robert Ranaldo (82) cruised to a dominant four stroke victory in the Sarazen flight thanks to a very strong start, and then a four hole stretch on the back 9 which included two pars and two birdies.  In addition to the Columbus Day at Harbor Links Sarazen Flight Trophy, Rob was awarded a $160 Visa Gift Card.

  • Kelly Penford (86) followed his Rock Hill Stableford Scoring victory with another strong result.  For second place in the Sarazen Kelly was awarded an $80 Visa Gift Card.  

  • Doron Pergament (87) earned a $50 Visa Gift Card for third place honors.  The 2019 Sarazen Flight Player of the Year has a burning desire to win, and victories are sure to follow.  

  • Farouk Aziz (88/40) earned the fourth place, a $30 Visa Gift Card over Chuck Fetta.  It’s good to have Farouk back on Tour!      

 

 

Jones Flight (16.0 – 19.9):

  • Alex Kavourias (84) dropped 17 strokes from his debut GcAmTour performance to his second tournament.  Alex birdied, yes birdied three consecutive holes on the back 9, a feat rarely achieved by golfers in the Championship and Palmer flights.In addition to the Columbus Day at Harbor Links Jones Flight Trophy, Alex was presented with a $140 Visa Gift Card.  

  • Lynn Morse (88/43) earned the second place prize, a $70 Visa Gift Card, in a match of cards over Glenn Mezzapesa.  Lynn tore up the par 5s like Dustin Johnson(two pars & two birdies).    

  • Glenn Mezzapesa(88/41/47) was that ever so rare bird who played markedly better on his front than back 9.  For third place in the Jones, the Rock Hill Stableford Scoring Jones Flight Champion was awarded a $50 Visa Gift Card.

 

Snead Flight (20.0 – Above):

  • Shing Wah Yeung (100) returned from a 5 year GcAmTour hiatus in winning style.  Shing recorded four pars on the day, and at least one of each type(par3,4,5). In addition to the Columbus Day at Harbor Links Jones Flight Trophy, Shing earned a $100 Visa Gift Card.  

Closest-To-The-Pin

John Valente launched it to 15’5” on the 3rd.  Bob Lanza’s tee shot on the 12th measured to 17 feet even.  Joe Arnold’s tee shot on the 17th rolled to just 6’10”.   

 

Skins   

  • Champ/Palmer/Hogan Flight - Kevin Durant (1st), Paul Moncada (5th), Bob Lanza (12th), David Thomas (8th & 18th)

  • Sarazen Flight – Thomas Antonopolous (16th)

  • Jones/Snead Flight – Glenn Mezzapesa (2nd), Chris Aldrich (3rd), Lynn Morse (6th), Alex Kavourias(12th&14th)

Giant Skins

Kevin Durant (1st),  Chris Aldrich (3rd), Paul Moncada (5th), David Thomas (8th & 18th) 

 

Congratulations again to all of our winners!

 

Christian Harrigan

Tour Director

NY Long Island