Deeg Sezna Four-Ball message strong in year three

AVONDALE, Pa.-The Deeg Sezna Four-Ball may be in its infancy stage as a tournament, but its message has resonated for centuries – it’s the responsibility of the older generation to pass down its knowledge and good sense to its younger counterparts.

  Davis “Deeg” Sezna, Jr., the oldest of three brothers, did that for his younger siblings Teddy and Willy. When he died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, the Golf Association of Philadelphia and Davis Sezna, Sr., established The Deeg Sezna Four-Ball, A Salute to Mentors, to memorialize his name.

  Monday at Hartefeld National (par 72, 6,404 yards), the third annual Deeg Sezna Four-Ball Tournament was held. Unique in its format, the Deeg pairs a junior and an amateur together in a better-ball competition with a minimum age difference of 10 years. Also, one partner has to be 21 years of age or younger.

  The goal: to give the older sect a chance to spend some quality time with generation next.

  “Deeg was one of my biggest mentors. He was always there to keep me on track and make sure I was doing well,” said Willy Sezna in a note presented to each competitor last year. “But most importantly, he taught me the meaning of respect. He taught me to respect myself, others, and life itself. So, today, as I thank Deeg for mentoring me, I ask you to take a moment and thank your own mentor for caring.”

  At the time of his passing, Deeg Sezna, an avid golfer himself, was a vibrant personality who just graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in economics. Driven by new challenges, he was in his sixth day of work for Sandler and O’Neill Partners on the 104^th Floor of the South Tower when terrorists flew jetliners into the WTC.

  It’s impossible to fully understand the pain in Davis Sezna’s heart, he also lost his youngest son, Teddy, in a boating accident in the summer of 2000, but Brian Rothaus of Philmont CC and Huntingdon Valley, Pa., has an idea of the hurt.

  Rothaus, 48, has lost two siblings.

  On this day, he and son Zach, 15, played together.

  “Davis was a good guy and this is a nice thing to do to represent his children,” said the elder Rothaus, “and any chance you get to play with your son is great.”

  Oscar Mestre, Jr. of Overbrook GC lost an older brother, and mentor, to a heart condition when he was 8 years old.

  On this day, Mestre, 44, of Berwyn, Pa., was doing his part to pass his life experiences on. He teamed up with his nephew, John Sylvia, 19, of Gladwyne, Pa. Sylvia acts as Mestre’s regular caddie in GAP events, and more importantly, a student of his older partner’s ways.

  “I wholeheartedly support the concept [of this tournament],” said Mestre. “Along the way, and John caddies for me all the time, I’ve seen him develop a thought process and comportment and just doing things right.”

  This year’s runner-ups were a prime example of what the Deeg represents.

  Kevin Reap, 20, of Ewing, N.J., started caddying for Gary Roberts, 36, of Lawrenceville, N.J., when he was 13 years old. They’ve been close friends ever since. In fact, Roberts named one of his three sons after Kevin.

  “[Considering] the purpose and the people, this is a perfect event for us,” said Roberts. “It’s something we looking forward to.”

Results
  On this hot and humid day, Robert Silsbe and Steve Walton of Downingtown CC fired a scorching 8-under-par 64, two shots better than the rest of the field to take the Deeg-Sezna Four-Ball overall title.

  Silsbe, 53, of Chester Springs, Pa., and Walton, 18, of West Chester, Pa., carded nine birdies and one bogey en route to the championship in the better-ball event. Walton birdied the last three holes to finish with a 68.

  Teams were grouped by age and combined handicap index.

  A full field of 192 players, 96 teams, exchanged ideas on today. Ideas, hopefully, that’ll be passed on year after year.

**Teams only eligible to place in one division**

Gross Division

Net Division