Eight squads in Division AA hope to remain undefeated as they gear up for the second week of the Golf Association of Philadelphia Team Matches.
Yardley CC, Philadelphia Cricket Club, Tavistock CC, Llanerch CC, Commonwealth National GC, Huntingdon Valley CC, Moselem Springs GC and Huntsville GC each picked up victories Sunday.
Tavistock — seeking its fifth championship in six years — has the most points in Division AA with 51.25. It defeated RiverCrest, 51.25-21.75, with only 16.75 of those points being earned on their home course.
“We escaped with a victory. That would be the summation,” Mark Kemenosh, captain of Tavistock, said. “Fortunately, our away team did just spectacular. We played very poorly at home, and it’s very rare that we lose at home. We usually do much better at home.
“It was sort of a shocker. The first week is supposed to be the easiest. We were over-thinking it a little bit.”
In singles at home, Len Fox, Jr. carded a team-high five points for Tavistock 1. Doug Cusick earned a team-best 4.75 points, for the away squad with James Slonis and partner Drew Siok taking 4.25 a piece individually as well as together in the better-ball portion of the competition.
Tavistock leads Llanerch CC in Section 2 by 6.5 points. It will face Olde York, who fell to Llanerch, 44.75-26, next Sunday.
In Section 1 of Division AA, Yardley defeated Spring Ford, 36.25-30.25. Warren Taylor and Steve Budenz each earned 4.5 points in the win. Yardley will next face Lancaster (0-1).
Heading into the second week of play, Philadelphia Cricket Club 1 trails Yardley 1 by six points after defeating Springhaven on Sunday, 36.25-32.75. Kevin Kelly, Bob Ball and Richard Henn each finished with four points in the victory. Philadelphia Cricket Club looks to stay undefeated as it next squares off against Spring Ford.
Commonwealth, who won the GAP Team Matches in 2007, defeated Merion GC on Sunday, 47.50-21.50. Scott McLaughlin notched a home-team best 5.5 points in the win. Commonwealth leads Huntingdon Valley by 5.25 points entering its contest against Manufacturers next Sunday.
In Section 4, Moselem Springs and Huntsville each won their respective matches on Sunday. Joe Butto posted a home-team high 6.5 points for Moselem Springs in its triumph over Overbrook GC.
“I thought our team played very well, especially the home team,” William West, Jr., captain of Moselem Springs, said. “We had strong play from everybody, which really helped us overall. I’ve got to give credit to our greens keeper (Tim O’Neil). The greens were lightning.”
In Huntsville’s victory, Brian Corbett led all players with four points. Huntsville looks to remain undefeated as it takes on Overbrook next Sunday.
Moselem Springs shares that goal as it faces Brookside in the second week of play.
“We’re excited,” West said. “Unfortunately, three of our top players are unable to play due to conflicts. It’ll be interesting because a number of former Reading (Country Club) players now play for Brookside. It’ll be like a home-on-home match.”
The Playoff and Challenges are set for May 9.
NOTES – Four of Philadelphia Cricket Club’s five teams won on Sunday…Talamore 3 earned the most points during the first week of play by defeating Meadowlands CC, 88.75-2.50…A record 128 clubs are competing in this year’s GAP Team Matches…Running Deer 2 edged Laurel Creek 2 by .25 points to post the smallest margin of victory…Aside from Commonwealth and Yardley, 29 clubs fielded teams that went undefeated in Week 1. All four of Commonwealth’s four teams and all three of Yardley’s teams went undefeated..
