Loch Nairn’s Watterson wins Fall Net title at Brookside

Aug. 23, 2018

 POTTSTOWN, Pa. — “Shocked. Amazed. Humbled.”

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  That was the short-but-sweet reaction from Loch Nairn Golf Club’s Tom Watterson upon learning he had taken his first Golf Association of Philadelphia title in just his third try. Watterson got the job done with 42 Stableford points, winning the overall title in the Tee it Forward – Fall Net Championship at beautiful Brookside Country Club.

  Watterson, who played from the forward Red tees (par 72, 5,359 yards), utilized a gross score of 87 to better the net stableford leaderboard of 40 individuals.

  It was eight net birdies that garnered the winning points Watterson needed. Playing to a 21 handicap, he took advantage of a solid round of golf – ones that have been hit or miss this summer – on Thursday.

  “Getting the ball off the tee was the key for me today. I was able to do that, leading to easier approach shots, which left me in good position coming in,” said Watterson, 61, of Avondale, Pa. “The well-positioned drives, then solid approach shots, left me with a fair amount of two putts and easy chips. I was able to convert those today, whereas the rest of the summer, it’s either been really up-and-down for my game.”

  Two gross pars on Brookside’s finishing par 3s were crucial. On No. 15 (par 3, 155 yards), Watterson blasted 8-iron to 10 feet and two putted for the 3. On the par-3, 100-yard 17th, a wedge tee shot came up short after a duffed swing. A clutch chip to a foot came next, leading to the gross par and three net points.

  “This is the first time I’ve played here. To be honest with you, I wasn’t going for anything but pars and bogeys,” said Watterson. “I’m glad it worked out for me.”

  Watterson, a recent retiree who worked in the IT business, had one goal in mind entering today: enjoy it to the fullest. The playing experience was priority number one, while attaining the trophy came next. Watterson can now put a checkmark next to both.

  “This is the third time I’ve played in one of the GAP net events. The highlight for me today, even with the win, was just playing in the championship, and I’m dead serious on that. Now that I’ve been to a few of these, I feel more comfortable out here,” he said. “The players are just nice people. As an individual, playing well is nice, but having a good time was even better.”

  It was clubmate and playing partner Ed Osciak, Jr. who suggested Watterson joined him this year in the Francis B. Warner Net at White Manor Country Club. The champion obliged. He’s been hooked on the relaxed-yet-competitive events ever since.

  “I have to thank him, because he was the one who got me out here,” said Watterson. “I’m sure he will be joking about my win now all the time back at [Loch Nairn.]

Women’s Flight

  In a competitive field of eight Women competitors, it was a new, smiling face emerging with the hardware when all was said and done.

  Philadelphia Country Club’s Eva Mckendrick posted 38 Stableford points for the victory. Two gross birdies propelled her to the top position.

  “It was a good round of golf for me today. I hit some really nice shots,” said Mckendrick, who shot a 14-over 86 from the Yellow tees (par 72, 4,960 yards). “I’m one of those people that can shoot anywhere from 85 to 105, so today was a good one for sure.”

  It was an ideal GAP playing debut for the mother of five daughters. She headed home with something special to remember it by.

  “Of course, it feels nice to bring home a trophy,” said Mckendrick. “I’m looking forward to getting home and putting it right in front of my husband for him to see!”

  Last year’s champion, Lucia Simon of Saucon Valley Country Club, finished tied for the runner-up position with 34 points. Matching that number was Philadelphia Country’s Marybeth Baldwin, the winner of this year’s Tee it Forward – Spring Net Championship at Coatesville Country Club.

  The Tee It Forward — Fall Net Championship, formerly known as the Second Handicap, is open to players 18 years of age and older with handicap index less than 36.0. The event began in 1946. The Golf Association of Philadelphia adopted the Tee It Forward parameters and changed the scoring format to net stableford in 2012.

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 Full Member Clubs and 75,000 individual members are spread across parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. 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.