Marabella takes Jock MacKenzie Memorial

 ORELAND, Pa.–Richard Marabella of Whitemarsh Valley CC started his round 3-3-3-3 while firing a 3-under-par 69 to win the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s 21st Jock MacKenzie Memorial tournament Monday at Sandy Run CC (par 72, 6,208 yards).

  Marabella, 15, of Blue Bell, Pa., had four birdies – three on the first four holes – to best Scott Deakins, 17, of St. Davids GC, who carded a 2-under-par 70 (34-36).

  Robert Galbreath, Jr., 14, of Huntingdon Valley CC, the two-time reigning Golf Association of Philadelphia Junior Boys’ Champion, finished third with a 1-under-par 71 (36-35).

  The tournament, for junior players, is named for the former longtime head golf professional at Sandy Run.

  Lissa Roland of Overbrook GC carded an 83 (41-42) to take the Junior Girls division, improving by nine strokes over her sixth-place finish in 2004, after winning the Junior-Junior girls title in 2003. Jessica Springer of Heidelberg CC was second with an 85.

  In winning the MacKenzie title, Marabella had a putt on the first hole (319 yards, par 4) hang on the lip, then drop in for a birdie. It was an omen.

  After a par on the 196-yard, par 3 No. 2, he chipped in for a second birdie on No. 3 (384 yards, par 3) and birdied the 289-yard, par 4 fourth to go 3-under-par on the first four holes.

  He played steady, even-par golf the rest of the way, with a birdie and a bogey, to take the title. “I hit 14 or 15 greens, my short game was pretty good and I putted well,” he said. “I only missed one up-and-down.”

  Marabella is no stranger to competitive golf. He plays on the International Junior Golf Tour, where he has won twice, and attends high school at the International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head, S.C.

  He played on the on the U.S. team in 2003 in the North American Cup against the Canadian junior team.

  Jonathan Ortiz, 12, of Philmont CC, took the MacKenzie boys Junior-Junior title for golfers 10-13 years of age with a 3-over-par 39 for nine holes. Edward McCrossen of Whitemarsh Valley CC was second with 40.

  Emily Gimpel, 13, of Whitemarsh Valley CC, won the girls Junior-Junior title with a 45. Alex Liu of Commonwealth National GC was second with 49.