Berenholz captures Spring Net Championship

  POTTSTOWN, Pa.– Robert Berenholz of White Manor CC fired a net 64 to take the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Spring Net Championship on Thursday at Brookside CC (par 72, 6,376 yards).

Berenholz, who played to an 11 course handicap, bested a field of 55 players to take home the overall low net championship crystal.   The 48-year-old from Bala Cynwyd, Pa., teed off on No. 10 (par 4, 312 yards) and carded a 2-under-par (net) 34 on the front before blistering the field on the backside with a 30. Berenholz’s back nine included four net birdies and a stunning birdie for net eagle on the 8^th hole (par 5, 528 yards).

  “I happened to put my putts on line and they went in the hole all day,” said Berenholz, who also came in first place in his flight back in the 2004 Spring Net Championship at Whitford CC. “It was great. I was just putting the ball really well all day.”

  Having never played the Pottstown course before, Berenholz played it safe when faced with an unfamiliar situation or blind shot and checked twice to make sure of his yardage.

  “My putting was good and I was focused,” he said. “I was hitting it straight, hitting greens and two putting. It was an easy game.”

 Greg Smith of Brandywine CC finished first in Class B and second place overall with a net 66.

  Smith, a sports management professor at Cheyney University, opened his round with a birdie on No. 10 when he hit his driver 75 yards from the green and placed a sand wedge to within five feet for birdie.

  “These greens were rolling great but they were slippery as snot,” joked Smith, who plays at a relatively level Brandywine CC. “I play a flat course so it took some getting used to.

  “Hopefully this is the start of a good season for me,” Smith said of his second-place finish.

  Smith was also fortunate to win his flight in the 2000 Spring Net at Blue Bell CC and again in last year’s Fall Net at Bucks County CC.

  Founded in 1897, the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) is the oldest regional golf association in the United States and serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. Its 135 Member Clubs and 60,000 individual members are spread across parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. The purpose of the Association is simple: To promote, protect and preserve the game of golf in the region.

Overall Net Championship
Low Net
1. Robert Berenholz, White Manor CC 64

Class A (9 & Under Handicap)
1. Lawrence Dolan, Sandy Run Country Club 71
T2. Ron Mittendorf, Blue Bell CC 74
T2. Don B Neill, Talamore at Oak Terrace CC 74

Senior Division
1. Charles Caparo, Plymouth CC 75

Class B (Handicap 10-14)
1. Greg Smith, Brandywine CC 66
2. Mark Pfeffer, Hidden Creek GC 70

Senior Division
1. Murray Felzer, White Manor CC 71

Class C (Handicap 15-19)
1. Aaron Rosenzweig, Bucks County GC 68
2. William Lashner, McCall G & CC 72

Senior Division
T1. Kyran Connelly, Makefield Highlands GC 74
T1. J. Stacey Redican, Sandy Run CC 74
T1. Joseph Hannigan, Sandy Run CC 74

Class D (Handicap 20 and over)
1. Thomas Zitkevitz, Sakima CC 70
2. Jim Carrigan, Moselem Springs GC 71

Senior Division
1. Alan Kovnot, Yardley CC 73