Gatti and Fedoryshyn take title, Aronimink duo claim Women’s Division

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WYOMING, Del. – Doug Fedoryshyn and T.R. Gatti have come close in Senior Four-Ball events over the years.

A runner-up finish in the 2023 GAP Senior Four-Ball Stroke Play at Honeybrook Golf Club after a 63 and a close call in the same event in 2021 at Concord Country Club, Fedoryshyn’s old stomping grounds and Gatti’s current grounds, left the pair frustrated.

But they knew their time as a team was coming.

Thursday at Wild Quail Golf & Country Club (par 72, 5,989 yards), they finally got it done. They shot 67 to claim the Delaware Senior Four-Ball by a shot.

“We’ve always been in the hunt in these types of events over the years but fell short or got outplayed,” Fedoryshyn, 65, of Downingtown, Pa., said. “It’s nice to finally win one of these.”

The duo got off to a strong start thanks to a quartet of birdies from Fedoryshyn on the front nine. He conquered Nos. 1 (par 5, 502 yards), 4 (par 4, 140 yards), 8 (par 3, 163 yards) and 9 (par 4, 379 yards). Highlighted by a chip-in on No. 4.

Fedoryshyn added to his birdie barrage with another on No. 15 after canning a 5-footer, getting the team back on track after a team bogey on No. 13 (par 3, 171 yards). He was greenside in two.

Gatti’s birdie on No. 16 (par 4, 345 yards) would ultimately be the difference. He canned a 15-footer after hitting his drive just 20 yards short of the green.

“I didn’t want to hear about how Doug made all of the birdies in our group for the day so I wanted to step up and make that putt,” Gatti, who plays out of Concord, said. “It was a great stroke and feeling to see it go in.”

The fairways of Concord shaped the pair’s relationship. But it is their calm demeanors and rock-solid games that make them a formidable team.

“Doug and I didn’t play every weekend in a regular game at Concord but we would play together about 15 to 20 times a year,” Gatti, 59, of West Chester, Pa., said. “We aren’t super active in each other’s games and in giving advice. We usually ask for help if we need it or if we want to bounce a thought off the other person.”

“We read putts the same way and we have the same personality,” Fedoryshyn, of Applecross Country Club, said. “The course set up well for us because it didn’t play super long and if you could make some putts you would be in good shape.”

While they don’t get to play together as much as they used to, Gatti and Fedoryshyn appreciate each other’s company and game. Now they have the hardware to solidify it.

“Winning an event is fun but for us we like to enjoy the day first and foremost,” Fedoryshyn said. “Neither of us get mad if we make a mistake or a bad shot. It’s a lot of fun playing together.”

Women’s Division

Sue McLaughlin and Ronnie Beth Stanley have known each other for more than 20 years since they joined Aronimink Golf Club but it’s not because of golf. 

They met playing padel tennis at the club and have been friends ever since.

The Aronimink duo shot a 2-over-par 74 to claim the Women’s Division of the Delaware Senior Four-Ball Thursday at Wild Quail Golf & Country Club (par 72, 5,156 yards).

“We ham and egged out there really well,” McLaughlin, 59, of Malvern, Pa., said. “When I had a bad hole, R.B. had a good hole. We did a great job of helping each other out.”

The highlights of the day came as a result of two birdies. McLaughlin knocked in red figures on Nos. 6 (par 4, 345 yards) and 12 (par 4, 249 yards). 

“It is really awesome that GAP has all of these events for women,” Stanley, 61, of St. Davids, Pa., said. “It was awesome to play in this with Sue and for us to get our first win together means a lot for the both of us.”

GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 345 Member Clubs and 110,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.