Sandy Run’s Smith wins Fall Net Championship at White Manor

 MALVERN, Pa. – Bill Smith of Sandy Run CC carded a 4-under-par 67 (net) to claim Monday’s Fall Net Championship at White Manor CC (par 71, 6,233 yards).

  “I hit some good shots today,” the Oaks, Pa. resident said. “I hit it really well.”

  After making the turn at 4 over (gross), Smith, a nine handicap, fired a birdie on No. 1 (par 4, 384 yards) after drilling a hybrid 166 yards to 16 feet. He also drained a 25-footer for birdie on No. 4 (par 4, 368 yards). Smith stuck a 9-iron into the wind to six feet on No. 8 (par 3, 119 yards) and converted the birdie putt.

  Smith, 64, competes in the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s net tournaments regularly. He finished tied for second in last year’s Frank Chapman Memorial (Net) at Green Valley CC.

  Frank Andrusiewicz of Mercer Oaks GC and Bruce Jackson of Spring Ford CC each carded a 3-under-par 68 (net).

  “I wasn’t the best guy even in my foursome as far as ball striking, but being able to get up-and-down on the greens was just key,” Andrusiwicz said. “Anytime that I got in close, I was good.”

  Andrusiwicz, of Newtown, Pa., carded back-to-back birdies on No. 7 (par 4, 314 yards) and 8 (par 3, 119 yards). He knocked a wedge 115 yards to six feet on No. 7, and one to 15 feet on No. 8.

  “I got really lucky to get an uphill putt (on No. 8), which was key,” he said. “You get on top of the holes, and you’re dead. I happen to hit the greens on the right spot.”

  The venue enticed Andrusiewicz to participate in Wednesday’s tournament.

  “It was a great chance to play an unbelievable course that I ordinarily would not be able to play,” he said.

  Golf has been an occasional activity for Andrusiewicz this summer.

  “I have a 1 1/2 year old at home, so that limits the practice and stuff,” he said. “But my wife’s really good, and she lets me come out, which is good.”

  Jackson, of Trumbarsville, Pa., attributed such a solid score to a sound short game.

  “Chipping and putting was key,” he said.

  Jackson, 55, chipped in for birdie on No. 10 (par 4, 370 yards), a hole he expected to bogey after drilling his tee shot into the left-side trees. But Jackson blasted a pitching wedge 130 yards to 15 yards from the flagstick. He also fired a birdie on No. 4 (par 4, 368 yards). Jackson logged a gross score of 2-over-par 73.

  This marked Jackson’s first appearance in the Fall Net Championship. He played alongside Chet Shemanski of Spring Ford CC, who won the Spring Net Championship earlier this year at Raven’s Claw GC.

  “(I came out) just to play with the guys (Shemanski, Greg McLaughlin and Harry Morton) again,” Jackson said. “I just like the golf course. I played it a few times.”

Overall Winner
1. Bill Smith, Sandy Run CC, 67
0-8 Handicap
1. Bruce Jackson, Spring Ford CC, 68
Andrusiwicz 2. Michael Walker, Wyncote GC, 69
Low Senior
T1. Bob Abramski, Talamore CC, 74
T1. Frank Petrecco, Yardley CC, 74
9-12 Handicap
1. Frank Andrusiewicz, Mercer Oaks GC, 68
2. Ralph Gariano, Commonwealth National GC, 69
Low Senior
Stel Apsokardu, Galen Hall GC
13-17 Handicap
1. Mark Kiernan, Talamore CC, 69
2. Scott Miller, Meadowlands CC, 70
Low Senior
Everett Young, Sandy Run CC, 72
18 & Over
1. E. Gerald Hurst, Lookaway GC, 69
2. Ed Hargadon, Sandy Run CC, 71
Low Senior
Albert Little, Jr., Sandy Run CC, 74