Castaldi, O’Rourke take titles in Warner (Net) at White Manor

MALVERN, Pa. – John O’Rourke already had a few Golf Association of Philadelphia titles stemming from his days served as a versatile volunteer. After Tuesday’s standout performance, he can add “two-time champion” into the mix.

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  O’Rourke, a volunteer with the Association since 2003, took home the overall Francis B. Warner Cup (Net) title – his second in the event – at White Manor Country Club (par 71, 5,680 yards).

In regulation, O’Rourke’s 7-under 64 net was equaled by Jericho National Golf Club’s Joe DeAngelis. The eventual champion was awarded the win in a match-of-cards after O’Rourke’s 5-under net back nine bettered DeAngelis’ 3-under score. O’Rourke’s gross score of 83 helped propel him to the top of a large leaderboard of 96 net players.

Stephanie Castaldi took home the top spot in the second-ever rendition of the Women’s Division. The Hershey Country Club member fired a 5-under 66 net round to better defending champion Josie Anthony of the home club by three net strokes.

O’Rourke carded three straight net birdies to finish the winning round. The closing clutch streak began with a chip-in from off the front of the green on No. 16 (par 4, 366 yards). On No. 17 (par 5, 399 yards), O’Rourke hit a decent drive near the right fringe, lifted a 5-wood to 130 yards out, then placed an 11-wood approach to 10 feet. A two-putt gross par kept the rally alive.

On White Manor’s finisher (par 4, 320 yards), O’Rourke blasted a drive past the left fairway bunker and into the first cut. Again he entrusted his 11-wood, nestling the approach up to eight feet. A two-putt sealed the deal.

“I wasn’t sure if I was hitting the ball well enough to enter today,” said the 67-year-old retiree, winner of the 2009 Warner (Net) at Silver Creek Country Club. “I was hoping just to place in my Flight, but it turns out some of my shots were paying off. It feels great to get my first trophy in nine years.”

O’Rourke is a fan of net events – both Stableford and stroke play formats. Take a glance at a GAP tee sheet during a net championship and you’ll see that familiar name.

“I’m a fan of both the playing formats, but no matter which one we are playing in, the net championships run by the GAP are a great way to get out on other courses and play with the guys while also competing. Everyone has fun during them – we’re really glad the GAP runs them.”

The Cherry Hill, N.J. resident sees these events from a few different perspectives, too. As a course rating and tournament volunteer, O’Rourke has seen and done it all.

“My good friend, Bob Murray, who I played with today, had already been volunteering for a number of years, and called me up and said, ‘They’re looking for volunteers from New Jersey. Some of the guys don’t want to travel that far,’ and asked if I was interested,” said O’Rourke. “And I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Castaldi, who carded a gross score of 87, was ecstatic to be playing in her first GAP competition. Hershey joined GAP as a Member Club in 2018, opening the door for more playing opportunities.

Castaldi was even more thrilled making the drive home as a champion.

“When (groupmate Susan Engle) and I saw this tournament was open to [Hershey members], we decided to come out and play. And, oh my god, it was just an amazing day and tournament,” said Castaldi, 57, of Hummelstown, Pa.

Today’s event hosted the largest field ever – 20 players – in a GAP Women’s competition.

“I’m going to do my best to get other ladies involved as well after my first playing experience here,” said the winner after her round. “It’s great to hear about the (participation numbers) increasing. White Manor was a beautiful golf course and it’s just a nice opportunity to play in events like this.”

Francis B. Warner of Philadelphia Cricket Club served as the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s secretary-treasurer for 18 years. After his death in 1933, the Association started the Francis B. Warner Cup as an ongoing tribute in his memory.

Golf Association of Philadelphia
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 260 Member Clubs and 75,000 individual members are spread across parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. 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.