HVCC’s Scott edges Brookreson for Senior Amateur title

 NORTH HILLS, Pa.–Craig Scott and his brother are third generation owners of the Mountain Manor Inn & Golf Club Resort in the Pocono Mountains. An occupation and love that takes up to 80 hours a week to keep up and running. Obviously spending that amount of time makes it more than difficult to keep a golf game finely tuned.

  In the second and final round of the Senior Amateur Championship on Wednesday at Lu Lu CC (par 71, 6,268 yards), Scott and his game looked and acted anything but rusty. Scott, 55, a rookie on the Golf Association of Philadelphia senior circuit, finished the two days at 3-over par, a shot clear of fellow Huntingdon Valley CC member and close friend David Brookreson.

  Frank Treml of Sandy Run CC placed third at 5-over-par. Jay Howson, Jr. of St. Davids GC, Mike Nilon of Philadelphia CC and Mike Rose of Ashbourne CC tied for fourth at 6 over.

  “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to win this,” said Scott, a resident of Marshalls Creek, Pa. “To win against the competition [down here] is unbelievable. This is one of my finest achievements.”

  Business obligations and an ominous commute from the Pocono Mountains typically keep Scott away from Golf Association of Philadelphia tournaments and, in actuality, the golf course. That’s where Brookreson comes into action, partnering with Scott in various better-ball competitions, just looking to get his friend out and playing.

  “He deserves this,” said Brookreson on the way to the 18^th green for photos. “He was flipping pancakes this morning [at the Inn].”

  Scott made the turn at even-par 36, posting two birdies and two bogeys. He made a great over-par number from the woods on No. 5 (par 4, 448 yards) to remain at the top. On No. 10 (par 5, 501 yards), a wayward second shot placed Scott about 30 yards short and in a terrible lie near the trees. He sculled his wedge over the green but made a miraculous up and down from there to save par.

  “After that,” said Scott. “It was pretty much routine.”

  As Scott went fairway and green to fairway and green, Brookreson, who has been playing exceptional the past three weeks, made the charge Scott thought his buddy would make. Brookreson birdied No. 16 (par 4, 315 yards) after almost driving the green and recorded another under-par score on No. 17 (par 5, 512 yards) with a chip to three feet.

  On No. 18 (par 4, 390 yards), a stellar recovery from the left trees gave him a 20-foot look. It slid just past and he finished at 1-under-par 70, the low score of day two.

  “I hit it so poorly today, I’ve never been luckier in my life,” said Brookreson. “I hit more trees than fairways on the front side and got some lucky bounces. You take things forgranted when you are playing good. On No. 9, I checked my alignment on the tee and [was fine from there].”

  “He was the guy to watch,” said Scott of Brookreson. “He’s the best ball striker I’ve ever played with.”

  Today, however, Scott proved he’s a pretty good player as well.