POTTSTOWN, Pa. — Charles McClaskey of Back Creek GC is gradually compiling a brilliant Super-Senior career in the division’s short history. The Elkton, Md. resident successfully defended his Brewer Cup crown Wednesday by knocking off a diligent Ken Gaskill of Rancocas GC, 3&2. He’s now attained two Super-Senior trophies in as many attempts in 2011. McClaskey, the reigning Super-Senior Player of the Year, won the Warner Cup (Gross) at Lu Lu CC in May.
| Charles McClaskey saves par on No. 16 (par 4, 366 yards) to secure a victory. |
“It’s very pleasing to me to have my name on a trophy that represents Gordon Brewer,” McClaskey, 72, said. “He’s a fine man and has been a great friend of mine. I appreciate the fact that my name will be on there with his.”
McClaskey didn’t waste any time in making his repeat bid a reality. He hit a GAP wedge 110 yards to eight feet for a 3 on No. 1 (par 4, 361 yards). Gaskill, of Moorestown, N.J., conceded No. 2 (par 5, 499 yards) to McClaskey following consecutive shots into the hazard. A pair of McClaskey mistakes on Nos. 3 (par 4, 344 yards) and 4 (par 4, 394 yards) nearly altered the match’s make-up. On No. 3, McClaskey didn’t reach the green with a sand wedge from 100 yards. His chip out of the rough released to 15 feet behind the cup. McClaskey missed the par putt. A three-putt from 35 feet on No. 4 evened the contest.
McClaskey then unveiled his championship grit. He stopped a pitching wedge at two feet on No. 6 (par 3, 134 yards) for birdie. He nestled a chip to eight feet on No. 7 (par 5, 503 yards) for another red figure. A routine par on No. 10 (par 5, 537 yards) gave McClaskey a 3-up advantage. Gaskill miscalculated his distance into the hole location. He nuked a GAP wedge 105 yards to the back of the green and failed to save par. Successful recoveries on Nos. 11 (par 4, 359 yards) and 12 (par 3, 158 yards) rejuvenated Gaskill, but he couldn’t sustain the newfound energy. He pushed a GAP wedge 100 yards into the front bunker on No. 13 (par 4, 333 yards), smacked a sand shot into the left rough and watched his chip to save par clank off the flagstick. McClaskey regained a 3-up lead following a birdie on the par 4, 379-yard 15th hole. He fired a 60-degree wedge 85 yards to four feet.
The bout concluded somewhat poetically on the par 4, 366-yard 16th hole. Gaskill came up short of the green with his approach. He elected to putt his ball from fairway surface, but only advanced it 10 feet. Gaskill then snaked in a left-to-right breaking 25-footer to save par.
“I got over the putt and thought, ‘I’m just going to hit this to get this thing over with,’” Gaskill, 65, said. “I couldn’t believe it went in.”
| Ken Gaskill |
Not be outdone, McClaskey extricated himself from the front bunker and deposited a 10-footer for a 4 and a victory.
“I was really concentrating on trying to make my putt before he even hit,” McClaskey said. “I was happy to see it go in because I didn’t want the match to go to any more holes.”
“It was special to make it this far,” Gaskill said. “It was special to play with Charlie in the Final because I’ve read about him. He’s like this well-oiled 72-year-old machine. Nothing bothers him. He’s a real professional out there.”
Final
Charles McClaskey, Back Creek GC d. Ken Gaskill, Rancocas GC, 3&2
