HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa.–In a star-studded Senior Amateur field, a pair of unfamiliar faces took center stage.
Mark Dennish of The Ridge of Back Brook and Drew Panebianco of Five Ponds Golf Club both carded 1-over-par 71s at Philmont Country Club (North Course, par 70, 6,415 yards) to share the lead after Round 1 of the 44th Senior Amateur Championship. The second and final round is Wednesday. Tee times begin at 7:30 a.m. The leaders start at 2 p.m.
Ray Thompson of Overbrook Golf Club, a two-time Senior Amateur winner (2007, 2011), stands a shot back at 2 over.
On a sweltering, sticky day, Dennish and Panebianco turned the clubhouse upside down early. Both played in the morning and posted scores that wouldn’t be challenged.
Dennish said he rarely competes in Association events, but has found some time in his schedule to break away. He’s also been working with the Ridge at Back Brook staff on his game.
Those factors resulted in a prepared opportunity.
Dennish capitalized by hitting 15 greens on the rolling hills of the North Course.
“It was a real solid round,” Dennish, 56, of Skillman, N.J., said. “I kept the ball in front of me. This gives me something to build off of. I don’t hit the ball very far. I’m more of a shotmaker. I try to hit fairways and greens.”
Dennish carded three bogeys and two birdies on Tuesday.
On No. 2, he dropped a 6-iron from 160 yards to 12 feet and made the birdie putt. However, the 6-iron taketh away on the next hole, the par 3, 156-yard third, when he pulled the club left of the green.
Dennish bogeyed the treacherous and difficult 11th (par 3, 215 yards) with an errant tee ball but carded a birdie on No. 13 (par 4, 341 yards) knocking a three-quarter 9-iron from 135 yards to 10 feet to move back to even par. On No. 14 (par 4, 434 yards), statistically the hardest hole on the course playing to a 5.011 scoring average, Dennish just missed a five-foot par save.
A member at the Ridge since its opening, Dennish was a baseball player in high school before taking up golf his senior year. He attended the College of New Jersey and played on the golf team. After college, he focused on business. In the pharmecutical industry, Dennish stopped playing for 20 years before taking the game back up when he joined the Ridge.
“I have no expectations for tomorrow. I want to play a strong round, keep the ball in front of me and see where the gets me in the end,” he said.
Business kept Dennish from competition; a hand injury limited Panebianco’s ability. He could only use three fingers when gripping a club his left hand, which made breaking 80 a tall order throughout the summer. The injury is healing, and to further cope, Panebianco implemented a grip he saw presented during a TV program featuring golf greats Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Lee Trevino last night.
“Trevino was talking about how Player was weak with his right hand. It reminded me that years ago I used a grip like that,” Panebianco, 61, of Gwynedd Valley, Pa., said. “I tried it on the range this morning and started hitting it well. It kind of came together today.”
It sure did. Panebianco, who started on No. 10 (par 4, 319 yards), opened with five straight pars before unearthing a birdie on No. 15 (par 4, 388 yards), where he drilled an 8-iron 139 yards to five feet. He relinquished a stroke on the demanding par 3, 185-yard 17th hole. Panebianco launched a hybrid onto the top shelf, rolled his par putt 12 feet and missed the comebacker.
Ensuing back-to-back birdies brought Panebianco back into leaderboard prominence. He hit a pitching wedge 105 yards to 18 feet on No. 18 (par 4, 344 yards), a 9-iron 130 yards to five feet on No. 1 (par 4, 388 yards). With the good came a bit of bad, though, as Panebianco bogeyed his next two holes: a three-putt on No. 2 (par 4, 386 yards) and a heavy 6-iron on No. 3 (par 3, 156 yards). He also bogeyed the par 4, 414-yard No. 5 after missing the green with a 6-iron.
Panebianco nudged a 9-iron to six feet for a 2 on No. 8 (par 3, 133 yards). His last hole served as a head-scratcher. After his first two shots found the fairway, Panebianco fired an uphill, upwind 8-iron from 133 yards into a tournament leaderboard — some 10 yards behind the green. He failed to get up-and-down from there.
“Maybe I caught it a little thin. I still don’t know how that happened,” Panebianco said.
To make Panebianco’s 1 over performance even more impressive, he carried his own bag, navigating Philmont’s hilly terrain in oppressive heat.
“I caddie part-time at Squires [Golf Club], so that’s really not an issue. I like it because it seems like I get looser,” he said.
Co-leader status comes as a surprise to Panebianco, but he’s thrilled to be in that position entering the event’s final round.
“I’ve been hitting it better lately, so hopefully, I can keep it going,” he said.
Super Senior
Longtime friends and recent GAP champion partners share the Super-Senior Division lead. White Manor Country Club’s Don Donatoni and Merion Golf Club’s Carl Everett, who teamed to capture the Senior 27-Hole Challenge a week ago, carded respective 3-over-par 73s on the par 70, 6,060-yard set-up.
“You’re never really comfortable here because you have to keep the ball in play. You have to hit your tee shots in the fairway,” Everett, 67, of Havertown, Pa., said. “The humidity was hard on everybody, and you just had to be patient. But it also helped the field because the greens were soft. If you hit a good shot, you got rewarded.”
“I just wanted to make pars,” Donatoni, 66, of Malvern, Pa., said. “Pars are your friend out there. I wasn’t aggressive with a lot of putts as I could have been. There are a couple of greens that are really dangerous here, and I was really cognizant of that. I just was trying to play steady and get in position.”
Donatoni stood in position to grab the lead outright, but a double bogey on No. 18 (par 4, 333 yards) extinguished those prospects. Donatoni, the Division’s defending champion, aimed a pitching wedge from 110 yards at the left side of the green, only to see it jump through the fringe and into a bird’s nest behind the surface. Facing an awkward shot, he chose a chip over a flop and left it 20 feet short. Donatoni ran his par putt six feet by and missed the comebacker.
Everett carded four bogeys and a birdie on the day. His lone red figure occurred on the difficult par 3, 199-yard 11th hole. Everett launched a hybrid into a collection area to the left of a middle hole location. He then executed a stellar chip-in.
Four players stand a shot back of Donatoni and Everett. The two will tee off at 9:20 a.m. tomorrow.
“It’s always nice to be paired with guys you enjoy playing with,” Donatoni said. “Carl’s a good friend. Whether you’re in the hunt or not, you’re still rooting for each other.”
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 150 Member Clubs and 57,000 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.
Senior
Name, club
Score
Drew Panebianco, Five Ponds Golf Club
71
Mark Dennish, The Ridge at Back Brook
71
Raymond Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
72
John Gonsior, Limekiln Golf Club
73
Brian Rothaus, Five Ponds Golf Club
74
Chip Lutz, LedgeRock Golf Club
74
Christopher Lange, Overbrook Golf Club
74
Ed Chylinski, Chester Valley Golf Club
74
Michael Quinn, Edgmont Country Club
74
Michael Vassil, Country Club of Scranton
74
Michael Domenick, Phoenixville Country Club
75
Pete Widdoes, White Clay Creek Country Club
75
Robert Van Etten, Laurel Creek Country Club
75
Roc Irey, Lookaway Golf Club
75
Joe Viechnicki, Saucon Valley Country Club
76
Jon Lavin, Rolling Green Golf Club
76
Robert Billings, Rolling Green Golf Club
76
Robin McCool, Saucon Valley Country Club
76
Andrew Harmer, The Springhaven Club
77
Bert Kosup, The Ridge at Back Brook
77
Brian Corbett, Huntsville Golf Club
77
Byron Whitman, Reading Country Club
77
Christopher Clauson, Sandy Run Country Club
77
John Willadsen, Sakima Country Club
77
Larry Piekarsky, Hidden Creek Golf Club
77
Robert Gill, Fox Hill Country Club
77
Robert Wagner, Merion Golf Club
77
Stan Zabytko, Loch Nairn Golf Club
77
Thomas Bartolacci, Jr., Saucon Valley Country Club
77
Alan Wagenschnur, Back Creek Golf Club
78
Andy Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
78
David Smith, Doylestown Country Club
78
J. Kirk Luntey, Merion Golf Club
78
James Muller, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
78
James Robertson, Llanerch Country Club
78
Jeff Paige, Bellewood Country Club
78
John Robinson, Commonwealth National Golf Club
78
Richard Custer, Reading Country Club
78
Steven Walczak, Wilmington Country Club
78
Buck Jones, Philadelphia Publinks GA
79
Donald MacKelcan, Wilmington Country Club
79
George Henninger, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
79
Michael Moser, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
79
Raymond Pawulich, Little Mill Country Club
79
Ron Weaver, Bent Creek Country Club
79
Bennett Meyer, Philmont Country Club
80
Gary Daniels, Applebrook Golf Club
80
Geoff Moulton, Jr., Sunnybrook Golf Club
80
Jim Gavaghan, Jericho National Golf Club
80
John Ward, Greate Bay Country Club
80
Mark Quigley, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
80
Rich Thon, The Springhaven Club
80
Robert Harrington, Merion Golf Club
80
Scott Orr, Brookside Country Club
80
Thomas Humphrey, Wilmington Country Club
80
Bob Arthur, Tavistock Country Club
81
James Prendergast, Philadelphia Publinks GA
81
Leonard Pearson, Philmont Country Club
81
Alan Van Horn, Commonwealth National Golf Club
82
Pierce Herbst, Greate Bay Country Club
82
James Blickle, LedgeRock Golf Club
83
Joe Duhack, Lu Lu Country Club
83
John Vergari, Tavistock Country Club
83
Jon Helhowski, Commonwealth National Golf Club
83
Phil Remig, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
83
Robert Lodovici, Little Mill Country Club
83
Joseph Zelechoski, Silver Creek Country Club
84
Marty Dorminy, Spring Ford Country Club
84
Steve Meyer, Rolling Green Golf Club
84
Thomas Mairone, Philadelphia Publinks GA
84
Bob Walsh, Philadelphia Publinks GA
85
Gerald Henderson, Blue Bell Country Club
85
Jim Willoughby, Bellewood Country Club
85
John Duke, Sandy Run Country Club
85
Wayne Bartolacci, Jericho National Golf Club
85
Bob Majczan, Lookaway Golf Club
86
Donald Ashley, Philadelphia Country Club
86
George Reby, Greate Bay Country Club
86
Joseph Russo, Laurel Creek Country Club
86
Richard Atcavage, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
86
Tom DiCinti, Old York Road CC at Chesterfield
86
Brian Sexton, Seaview Resort & Spa
90
Jack O’Hara, Cedarbrook Country Club
91
Ansley Jessup, Jr., Rancocas Golf Club
92
Michael Caulfield, Commonwealth National GC
93
Matthew Manfred, Blue Bell Country Club
96
Richard Timbrell, The Bucks Club
NC
Michael Anderson, Commonwealth National Golf Club
WD
Francis McFadden, Overbrook Golf Club
WD
Jim Macallister, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
WD
Mike Miklinevich, Greate Bay Country Club
WD
Neal Levitsky, Wilmington Country Club
WD
Robert Dietrich, Makefield Highlands Golf Club
WD
Paul Keating, Aronimink Golf Club
WD
Arthur Kania, Jr., Merion Golf Club
WD
Bill Boyle, Metedeconk National Golf Club
WD
James Sullivan, Sr., Huntingdon Valley Country Club
WD
Robert Winter, Fieldstone Golf Club
WD
Ages 55 to 59
Name, club
Score
Mark Dennish, The Ridge at Back Brook
71
Brian Rothaus, Five Ponds Golf Club
74
Chip Lutz, LedgeRock Golf Club
74
Christopher Lange, Overbrook Golf Club
74
Michael Vassil, Country Club of Scranton
74
Michael Domenick, Phoenixville Country Club
75
Jon Lavin, Rolling Green Golf Club
76
Andrew Harmer, The Springhaven Club
77
Bert Kosup, The Ridge at Back Brook
77
Brian Corbett, Huntsville Golf Club
77
Byron Whitman, Reading Country Club
77
Christopher Clauson, Sandy Run Country Club
77
John Willadsen, Sakima Country Club
77
Larry Piekarsky, Hidden Creek Golf Club
77
Robert Gill, Fox Hill Country Club
77
Robert Wagner, Merion Golf Club
77
Alan Wagenschnur, Back Creek Golf Club
78
David Smith, Doylestown Country Club
78
J. Kirk Luntey, Merion Golf Club
78
James Robertson, Llanerch Country Club
78
Jeff Paige, Bellewood Country Club
78
John Robinson, Commonwealth National Golf Club
78
Steven Walczak, Wilmington Country Club
78
Ron Weaver, Bent Creek Country Club
79
Geoff Moulton, Jr., Sunnybrook Golf Club
80
Jim Gavaghan, Jericho National Golf Club
80
John Ward, Greate Bay Country Club
80
Rich Thon, The Springhaven Club
80
Robert Harrington, Merion Golf Club
80
Scott Orr, Brookside Country Club
80
Bob Arthur, Tavistock Country Club
81
Leonard Pearson, Philmont Country Club
81
James Blickle, LedgeRock Golf Club
83
Joe Duhack, Lu Lu Country Club
83
John Vergari, Tavistock Country Club
83
Jon Helhowski, Commonwealth National Golf Club
83
Phil Remig, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
83
Marty Dorminy, Spring Ford Country Club
84
Bob Walsh, Philadelphia Publinks GA
85
Gerald Henderson, Blue Bell Country Club
85
Jim Willoughby, Bellewood Country Club
85
John Duke, Sandy Run Country Club
85
George Reby, Greate Bay Country Club
86
Joseph Russo, Laurel Creek Country Club
86
Richard Atcavage, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
86
Brian Sexton, Seaview Resort & Spa
90
Jack O’Hara, Cedarbrook Country Club
91
Matthew Manfred, Blue Bell Country Club
96
Michael Anderson, Commonwealth National Golf Club
WD
Jim Macallister, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
WD
Neal Levitsky, Wilmington Country Club
WD
Arthur Kania, Jr., Merion Golf Club
WD
Bill Boyle, Metedeconk National Golf Club
WD
Robert Winter, Fieldstone Golf Club
WD
Ages 60 and over
Name, club
Score
Drew Panebianco, Five Ponds Golf Club
71
Raymond Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
72
John Gonsior, Limekiln Golf Club
73
Ed Chylinski, Chester Valley Golf Club
74
Michael Quinn, Edgmont Country Club
74
Pete Widdoes, White Clay Creek Country Club
75
Robert Van Etten, Laurel Creek Country Club
75
Roc Irey, Lookaway Golf Club
75
Joe Viechnicki, Saucon Valley Country Club
76
Robert Billings, Rolling Green Golf Club
76
Robin McCool, Saucon Valley Country Club
76
Stan Zabytko, Loch Nairn Golf Club
77
Thomas Bartolacci, Jr., Saucon Valley Country Club
77
James Muller, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
78
Richard Custer, Reading Country Club
78
Buck Jones, Philadelphia Publinks GA
79
Donald MacKelcan, Wilmington Country Club
79
George Henninger, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
79
Michael Moser, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
79
Raymond Pawulich, Little Mill Country Club
79
Bennett Meyer, Philmont Country Club
80
Gary Daniels, Applebrook Golf Club
80
Mark Quigley, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
80
Thomas Humphrey, Wilmington Country Club
80
James Prendergast, Philadelphia Publinks GA
81
Alan Van Horn, Commonwealth National Golf Club
82
Pierce Herbst, Greate Bay Country Club
82
Robert Lodovici, Little Mill Country Club
83
Joseph Zelechoski, Silver Creek Country Club
84
Steve Meyer, Rolling Green Golf Club
84
Thomas Mairone, Philadelphia Publinks GA
84
Wayne Bartolacci, Jericho National Golf Club
85
Bob Majczan, Lookaway Golf Club
86
Donald Ashley, Philadelphia Country Club
86
Tom DiCinti, Old York Road CC at Chesterfield
86
Ansley Jessup, Jr., Rancocas Golf Club
92
Michael Caulfield, Commonwealth National GC
93
Richard Timbrell, The Bucks Club
NC
Francis McFadden, Overbrook Golf Club
WD
Mike Miklinevich, Greate Bay Country Club
WD
Robert Dietrich, Makefield Highlands Golf Club
WD
Paul Keating, Aronimink Golf Club
WD
James Sullivan, Sr., Huntingdon Valley Country Club
WD
Super Senior
Name, club
Score
Carl Everett, Merion Golf Club
73
Don Donatoni, White Manor Country Club
73
John Rowe, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
74
Jon Mabry, Moorestown Field Club
74
O. Gordon Brewer, Jr., Pine Valley Golf Club
74
William Lawler, Fox Hill Country Club
74
Hugh Kenworthy, III, Gulph Mills Golf Club
75
Frank Polizzi, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
76
Charles McDowell, Wilmington Country Club
77
James Haynie, Commonwealth National Golf Club
77
Charles Whipple, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
78
Fred Olt, Little Mill Country Club
78
Michael Rose, Talamore Country Club
78
Terry Fair, RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve
78
Jay Ward, Cedarbrook Country Club
79
John Owens, M.D., Tavistock Country Club
79
Dave Jacobson, Medford Village Country Club
80
Michael Anton, Lookaway Golf Club
80
Bernard Kelly, Little Mill Country Club
81
Bruce Gladish, Sandy Run Country Club
81
Jay Howson, Jr., St. Davids Golf Club
81
Richard Keesling, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
81
Thomas Mallouk, Lookaway Golf Club
81
Charles McClaskey, Back Creek Golf Club
82
Herbert Gordon, Doylestown Country Club
82
John Cech, Riverton Country Club
82
Michael Nilon, Philadelphia Country Club
82
Norman Jester, Downingtown Country Club
82
Richard Smith, Philadelphia Country Club
82
Gregory Gaul, Merion Golf Club
83
John Patton, Little Mill Country Club
84
Terry Law, Yardley Country Club
84
Ed Zebrowski, Sea Oaks Golf Club
85
Fred Jones, Merion Golf Club
85
Raymond Fuller, Running Deer Golf Club
85
Richard Speranza, Jericho National Golf Club
85
Richard Franklin, Stonewall
86
Thomas O’Rourke, Chester Valley Golf Club
87
Curt Fromal, The Springhaven Club
88
Peter Torras, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
88
Charles Caparo, Plymouth Country Club
89
Robert Murphy, Wilmington Country Club
89
David Jordan, Sakima Country Club
90
George Collins, Sand Barrens Golf Club
90
James Coleman, Rolling Green Golf Club
91
David Brookreson, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
WD
Robert Ockenfuss, Indian Valley Country Club
WD
Terrence Sawyer, Mercer Oaks Golf Course
WD
NC-no card; WD-withdrawal
