Pilla, Williams-Woodward catch lightning in Warner Cup (Net) at French Creek

ELVERSON, Pa. – Two days, two rain delays, two match-of-scorecards, and finally, two champions.

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That was the tale of the Francis B. Warner Cup (Net) held at French Creek Golf Club (par 70, 5, 541 yards) on Wednesday… and eventually Thursday, too.

Taking home the overall title was Bellewood Country Club’s Terry Williams-Woodward. His 6-under 64 net score propelled him to the trophy after a match of scorecards with Talamore Country Club’s Mark Angel. The tiebreaker came down to the net back-nine scores, the USGA’s recommended method, where Williams-Woodward went 2-under par bettering Angel’s 1-under total.

The overall champ’s day was over early, getting off the course before the first delay of 50 minutes arrived at 2:05 p.m., putting a damper on the day’s outlook. A second severe weather delay arrived at 4:45 p.m. and suspended Wednesday’s action for good. Thunderstorms and tornado warnings were abundant throughout the area at that point.

“I was happy to be one of the first groups of the course, for sure. It was definitely an advantage,” said Williams-Woodward, 63, of Collegeville, Pa. “I was even done with lunch before the first delay. It was a beautiful morning for me, but unfortunately not so great for the rest of the [afternoon wave].”

While no gross birdies were jarred during his round, Williams-Woodward entrusted steady, consistent golf en route to the winner’s circle. Playing as an 11-handicap, his gross score of 75 speaks testament to his Warner (Net) performance.

“This was only the second round I’ve carded in the 70s this season, so it was honestly a big round for me. I didn’t have many highlights out there, but I was hitting and putting the ball well overall,” he said.

Eight players traveled back to French Creek Thursday to resume play at 9 a.m. A phone call later in the morning informing Williams-Woodward of his victory came as a welcomed surprise.

“I had my playing partner, John Lobb, sending me updates on the leaderboard. But I wasn’t sure where I stood this morning after not hearing anything last night,” said Williams-Woodward. “Winning a trophy in a GAP event like this is the biggest golfing achievement of my 37 years of playing.”

While Williams-Woodward can thank Mother Nature for some support, ultimately it was a career round that brought the sun back out and a champion his crown.

In the Women’s Flight, Kathy Pilla took home the top spot with a 3-over 73 net score. Pilla, of Avondale, Pa., won a scorecard playoff over fellow Fieldstone Golf Club member Dawn Welte to pick up the win. Pilla’s net back-nine score of 39 was three better than Welte’s 42.

“I had really bad holes and some really awesome holes,” said the 58-year-old Pilla.  “[With the scorecard playoff], it was just a matter of what holes I played better on.”

Having completed the entirety of her round on Wednesday, Pilla did not find out about her victory until after play was completed Thursday.

“I was actually surprised,” said Pilla. “When I got [the] message earlier I was on the golf course.”

Pilla and Welte have long been golf partners, having both been members of Hartefeld National before moving to Fieldstone together. Along with Diane Ogorek, Pilla and Welte formed a trio of players from Fieldstone competing in the third year of the Women’s Flight.

“We like to try and support some of the GAP events as much as we can,” Pilla said. “We have a good group of girls here [at Fieldstone], and we really work hard at it.”

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.

GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 274 Full Member Clubs and 75,000 individual members are spread across the Eastern half of Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.