McDermott survives a scare from Lange for Mid-Am title

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. – Chris Lange of Overbrook GC has already secured his status as one of the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s greats. Over the past five years, Michael McDermott of Llanerch CC has clearly been the dominant force in Delaware Valley golf.

  On Thursday at Gulph Mills GC, old and new went head-to-head in the final round of the Middle-Amateur Championship, the Association’s first Major of the season, for the title.

  Taking advantage of his scary length, McDermott registered a birdie on the uphill par 5, 18^th hole (430 yards) for a closing round 70 and the 21st Middle-Amateur Championship crown. McDermott finished at 3-under-par for the 36 holes. Lange, who carded a magnificent 5-under-par 66 in the second round, ended up a stroke back.

  William McGuinness of Tavistock CC, Rich Pruchnik of West Chester G&CC and Glenn Smeraglio of Yardley CC tied for third at even par.

  It was McDermott’s second Middle-Amateur Championship. Lange, a three-time Amateur Champion and Patterson Cup Champion, was searching for his first.

  “With no disrespect to anyone, Chris [Lange’s] tournament record speaks for itself. You would be hard pressed to find someone who’s done better that last [three decades],” said McDermott of dueling with Lange. “Guys like him and Jay Sigel are and were great players for a long time. Hopefully I can keep going as long as they have [and did].”

  Over the last five years, McDermott has earned three William Hyndman, III Player of the Year trophies, a Silver Cross, and, now, two Middle-Amateur titles.

  On Thursday, McDermott just kept his round going. He carded a 1-under-par 34 on the front side with two birdies – on No. 3 (par 4, 422 yards) and No. 5 (par 4, 397 yards) – and a bogey (on No. 9, par 4, 351 yards). His birdie on the third hole calmed his nerves. McDermott’s car failed to start this morning and he arrived at the golf course only 15 minutes prior to his tee time.

  Solid play tee to green, and a consistent putter, something that eluded him at last year’s Middle-Amateur, helped McDermott stride along.

  One bogey (No. 14, par 3, 188 yards) and a final birdie on No. 18 sealed the victory.

  McDermott’s two bogeys came on the only two holes in which he missed the green in regulation.

  Lange, who started 1½ hours ahead of McDermott, applied the pressure, via the scoreboard, from the get go. 

  The 50-year-old resident of Bryn Mawr, Pa., carded front-side birdies on No. 4 (par 3, 116 yards), No. 6 (par 3, 176 yards) and No. 7 (par par 5, 470 yards). More red figures on No. 12 (par 5, 519 yards), No 13 (par 4, 403 yards) and No. 18 (par 5, 430 yards) – following his lone bogey on the par 3, 17^th (211 yards) – resulted in a sterling 66. Lange said it was all about the putter. Three of his six birdies were from 15 feet and out. He recorded just 31 putts on the day.

  “In a two-day tournament the better player has a better chance to win,” said Lange. “I’m happy with the way I played. It was all about my putter.”

  The Middle-Amateur Championship is open to players 25 or older who have a handicap index of 7.0 or less.

  This is the third year the event is 36 holes. From its inception in 1984 through 2000, it had been just a one-day, 18-hole test. 

  A total of 71 players made the cut from the initial field of 132.