A Salute to Veterans!

 

News Release by Christian Harrigan

 

Riverhead, NY (November 10, 2019):  The NY Long Island Golf Channel Amateur Tour (GCAT) visited the Vineyards Golf Club Club as a Salute to Veterans.   While the round was dry all the way through, the cloud cover and wind varied. When the sun came out and the wind was low it felt great, but when the wind kicked up with some clouds it was quite brisk.  That of course is a small price to pay to honor those who protect our freedom. A special thanks to tour members who served - Joe Livingston and Simon Williams.

 

Winners in each flight were awarded one of the coolest trophies we have ever presented, a 14” replica of a soldier in full gear.   

 

Here are your top finishers for the first tournament of the 2019 season:


 

Championship/Palmer Flight ( - 7.9):

  • Scott Kata (77) enjoyed two stretches of six holes of par or better, a remarkable feat that contributed to a 2 stroke victory.  Scott has amassed an incredible eight victories in 2019=2020. In addition to the commemorative Salute to Veterans Championship/Palmer Flight Trophy, Scott was awarded a $100 Visa Gift Card.   

 

Hogan Flight (8.0 – 11.9):

  • Jeff Feldman (76) is on fire, logging consecutive tournament rounds in the 70s.  This sub 80 round was highlighted by birdies on two of the par 3s. Jeff’s recent success has him at the top of the Hogan flight merit point standings.  In addition to the commemorative Salute to Veterans Hogan Flight Trophy, Jeff was awarded a $160 Visa Gift Card.  

  • Michael DeMarco (79) earned the second place prize, an $80 Visa Gift Card in the Competitive Hogan flight.  Mike had lots of pars and managed to avoid any big scores, an accomplishment at the tricky Vineyards layout.  

  • Alan Navarro (80) is among the most consistent players on tour with a proclivity to shoot 80 on the nose.  His coordinated attire is unparalleled. For third place at the Vineyards Alan was awarded a $45 zVisa Gift Card.  

  • Phil Drower (81) earned the fourth place Hogan prize, a $35 Visa Gift Card.  Phil played his best on the most difficult holes on the course, parring most of them.   

 

Sarazen Flight (12.0 – 15.9):

  • Vijay Singh (84) showed great mental toughness, overcoming a quad on a par 5 to still win by a sizeable three strokes.  Impressively, Vijay birdioed the difficult 201 yard par 3 seventh hole. In addition to the commemorative Salute to Veterans Hogan Flight Trophy, Jeff was awarded a $160 Visa Gift Card.  

  • Kaz Baig (87) has shown great competitiveness since his switch from the Jones to the Sarazen.  Kaz has ‘cashed’ in his first two Sarazwen tournaments and is looking to take the next step with a win.  Kaz earned a $60 Visa Gift Card for second place.   


 

Jones Flight (16.0 – 19.9):

  • Ron Raganella (82) again claimed the top spot in the Jones thanks to his prowess on the par 3s(two birdies).  Ron also defended his Salute to Veterans title, and this time earned the commemorative Salute to Veterans Jones Flight Trophy and a $110 Visa Gift Card.  

  • Brian Buonomo (83) has consecutive runner-up finishes in the Jones and he is hoping to do just one better by capturing a Long Island win this fall. Brian and others have two more chances!  For second place honors Brian was awarded a $50 Visa Gift Card.  

 

Snead Flight (20.0 – Above):

  • Don McCabe (89) parred nearly half the holes en route to an impressive sub 90 round and his first Golf Channel win.  I love awarding players their first championship trophy, and am happy to have presented Don with one that has even more meaning than usual,  In addition to the commemorative Salute to Veterans Snead Flight Trophy, Don was awarded an $80 Visa Gift Card.

 

Closest-To-The-Pin 

Jeff Feldman (3’4”’) on the third, James Vicari (5’5”) on the 10th, & Paul Caperna (1’10”) on the 14th.  

 

Skins   

  • Champ/Palmer/Hogan Flight - Paul Caperna (1st), Alex Lundqvist (2nd & 6th), Robert Lanza (12th), Ron Michne (15th), Jeff Feldman (17th)  

  • Sarazen/Jones/Snead Flight – John Valente (4th), Jorge Chavez (8th), Ron Raganella (10th), Joe Gentile (14th)

 

Congratulations again to all of our winners! 

 

Christian Harrigan

Tour Director

NY Long Island