Running Deer GC’s Furman wins Chapman Memorial (Net)

  WEST CHESTER, Pa. — A fun day of golf among friends turned fortunate for Dave Furman Monday. The Running Deer GC member posted 40 points to take the Frank H. Chapman Memorial (Net) at Hershey’s Mill GC (par 71, 5,935 yards). Furman remained relaxed throughout the round and kept his game simple.

  “I just tried to hit fairways and was able to putt pretty well,” he said. “It’s a very nice golf course. Everything’s in front of you. It’s not tricked up.”

  The Turnersville, N.J. resident carded consecutive pars (gross) on Nos. 2 (par 5, 465 yards) and 3 (par 3, 168 yards) to acquire artillery early. He reached the No. 2 green in regulation with a 7-iron from 140 yards and two-putted from 20 feet. Furman, 62, attempted to overcome an interfering wind on No. 3 with a 3-iron, but his golf ball only carried to the front fringe. A two-putt from 45 feet provided Furman with eight points thru three holes. He added 12 more to make the turn with 20 in his coffers.

  Furman, who operates a landscaping business in South Jersey, continued to stay relaxed. Although he overcooked a pitching wedge off the No. 11 (par 3, 112 yards) tee, Furman managed to save par after rolling his first putt from the back fringe six feet by the jar. He fired a birdie (gross) on the downhill par 4, 357-yard 15th hole. Furman knocked a pitching wedge 115 yards to 20 feet and converted the left-to-right breaker.

  Furman and tee-mates Wayne Diluigi of Running Deer GC, Jay McMenamin of Running Deer GC and Harvey Miller of Little Mill CC often compete in Golf Association of Philadelphia events. They trade jokes, laughs, smiles and friendly wagers throughout their 18-hole ventures together. Monday was no exception.

  “We come out here to have fun and break each other’s stones a little bit,” Furman said. “I just happened to have a good day. And that’s part of golf.”

  The Chapman Memorial Net was changed to an individual Stableford format in 2008 after two years as an individual net stroke play event. Michael Quinn of Edgmont CC won the gross portion of the Chapman Memorial Cup held at Little Mill CC last month. The event honors Frank H. Chapman, who served as the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Secretary-Treasurer for 23 years. Players with a USGA Handicap Index of 7.1 and above were eligible to compete in today’s tournament.

Overall
1. Dave Furman, Running Deer GC, 40
2. Mark Pfeffer, Hidden Creek GC, 39
3. Joseph DeAngelis, Jericho National GC, 38

Handicaps 5-11
1. William McCabe, Jr., McCall G&CC, 36
2. Bob Abramski, Talamore CC, 35

Handicaps 12-16
1. Jay McMenamin, Running Deer GC, 37
2. Palmer Hossler, Loch Nairn GC, 36

Handicaps 17-32
T-1. Donald Praiss, Tavistock CC, 36
Wayne Yetter, Lookaway GC, 36

WD – withdrawal