Spring Ford’s Jenkins takes Fall Net title at Woodstone

  DANIELSVILLE, Pa. – Robert Jenkins of Spring Ford Country Club is no stranger to the Net events on the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s calendar. Having competed in GAP Net events since 2005, he knows as well as anyone that anything can happen in a playing format that levels the playing field.

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  On Tuesday at Woodstone Country Club (par 72, 6,227 yards), a breakthrough victory happened for Jenkins when he took home the Tee It Forward — Fall Net Championship title with a net score of 40.

  “This was the first time I’ve hit the ball with any consistency in over a month,” said Jenkins. “I just play in these events until I come in and someone comes up to you and says that you finished well. You never know what everyone else did out there and you have to stay in it until the end.”

  None of Jenkins’ gross-birdie attempts found the bottom of the cup on the day, but he managed his golf game beautifully throughout the round. He finished with eight net birdies, seven pars, and carded over-par scores on just three holes.

  “No memorable shots for me, really. I just grinded it out today,” said Jenkins, 68, of Devon, Pa. “All my bogeys were mostly three putts because these greens are big greens, and if you end up on the wrong part of one, it’s tough to make it in two. But what helped me was my good driving, which I put up to the whole Tee it Forward aspect of the event.”

  The Spring Ford member of 15 years edged out David Wood (39) of White Manor Country Club by one net point to take the day’s hardware. Back in June, Wood won the Spring Net Championship at Spring Ford – an event that Jenkins did not participate in as he was away on vacation.

  “We had fun out there today. The biggest thing from now and two months ago for me is I’m just not consistent off the tee,” said Wood, 46, of Glen Mills, Pa. “Everything sets up off my tee shot. When I get off the tee, I can play really well. When I don’t, it’s a tough game.”

  Many of the 44 competitors, including the champion, had high praise for Woodstone’s track that boasts beautiful views and is comfortably nestled by the surrounding Blue Mountains.

  “I heard this was a great course but I knew it was a drive. You should write down to people that they may have to drive an hour or so but it’s worth it,” said Jenkins, who competed out of the 12.8-17.1 index flight. “You’re going to think you’re playing in Vermont or New Hampshire. It was spectacular out here today.”

  Robert Marshall of Greate Bay Country Club, last year’s overall Fall Net champion at Brookside Country Club, finished in 26th place with a net score of 33.

  The 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 151 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.