Aug. 22, 2018
Four attempts. Four wins.
Fox Hill Country Club continued its dominance in the AGA/GAP Super-Senior Coat Scuttle Championship, taking the iconic bucket trophy for the fourth year in a row. A 3-over total of 216 gave the champions an eight-stroke victory over Elmhurst Country Club and a nine-team field.
In a best-three-of-four scoring format, Fox Hill picked up right where it left off in its title defense. Leading the way was team newcomer Thomas Gill with an even-par 71. Bill Lawler followed suit with a 1-over 72, while Ed Hennigan rounded out the win with a 2-over 73 of his own. Tony Scatena, stepping up as the fourth member of the team, carded a 16-over 87.
“This year, Tom was new to the team, as he was new to the Super-Senior age group. He’s been playing well all summer,” said Lawler, 71, of West Wyoming, Pa. “When he qualified for the team during our Super-Senior club championship, we were all very excited to have him. His play, and the rest of our scores, were very solid today.”
As it was in previous years, home-field advantage was once again crucial for the Fox Hill foursome. It’s an advantage – one that is earned by winning the title – that the club would like to never relinquish.
“It’s big time. It’s so important to play at your home course. Knowing how each putt will roll, and how each hole will play, cannot be understated,” said Hennigan, who recently won his 11th straight Super-Senior club championship title. “I caddied here in the 50s, and have been a member here for 53 years. I know this golf course almost better than anyone. That obviously helps on every shot out here.”
The consistency across all levels of the Coal Scuttle Championships, which Fox Hill holds the most titles in, has become their perennial pride. Playing talent tends to find a home at Fox Hill, and there is more being developed every season.
“Most of the guys that play in our Senior and Super-Senior events, we’ve been playing against each other for quite some time. Fox Hill, of all the clubs in the Anthracite region, has the most team championships. We’ve been very fortunate. Our guys love to compete.”
“Not only do we have new Seniors joining the club, but we’ve got a bunch of young talent coming through as well. It’s all very exciting to see,” said Hennigan, 75, of Exeter, Pa.
Despite Fox Hill’s standout play, the day’s individual honor was awarded elsewhere. Elmhurst’s Thomas McCormack and his lone subpar round of 1-under 70 earned him medalist honors. McCormack’s bogey-free round, including a birdie on the par-3, 104-yard 11th, secured the medal.
Anthracite Golf Association
The Anthracite Golf Association merged with the Golf Association of Philadelphia in 2018. Anthracite, an organization founded in 1951, promotes golf in the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. At the height of its growth, Anthracite included 46 Member Clubs in 18 counties.
Golf Association of Philadelphia
Founded in 1897, the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) 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 260 Full Member Clubs and 75,000 individual members are spread across Eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware. As Philadelphia’s Most Trusted Source of Golf Information, the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
