Warner Cup (Gross): WVCC’s Zbrzeznj takes Super-Senior title

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – They say you can’t buy victory, but a few new purchases led Bernie Zbrzeznj to his first Golf Association of Philadelphia Super-Senior title at a glistening Concord Country Club (par 71, 6,077 yards) in the Francis B. Warner Cup (Gross).

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  A Florida home acquisition this offseason, paired with a brand new boomstick and flatstick in the bag, led Zbrzeznj to the Super-Senior Division winner’s circle Thursday. The Whitemarsh Valley Country Club member fired a 2-over 73 to take the hardware over a field of 44 battling Super Seniors.

“This is the first time I really kept my game in shape during the offseason because of the home purchase in [Sarasota, Fla.]. It was a good winter. I was able to take home a club championship at my club down there, Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club. That gave me a big confidence boost coming back home and it paid off today,” said Zbrzeznj, 69, of Blue Bell Pa.

A perfect swing with his new Callaway Rogue driver positioned his ball ideally off the tee on No. 10 (par 4, 330 yards). A pure gap-wedge approach was next, leaving Zbrezeznj with just a simple tap-in for birdie from three feet.

“The Rogue driver came in literally last night. I pulled it out of the box, put it in the bag and hit a few on the range this morning. I bought a new putter two days ago, too,” he said. “Looks like they’ll be staying there.”

The next highlight came on the top man’s back nine on the par 4, 327-yard 3rd. A 3-wood off the tee left Zbrzeznj with a pitching wedge approach from 100 yards out. Once again, he tapped in for his 3 from three feet.

“Those close birdies were nice for me because the greens were a challenge today. They were very, very quick. They cut and rolled them this morning – and they were rolling beautifully – but you just couldn’t get too frisky or they’d get away from you,” the champion said.

Tee-to-green, it was solid across the board. Not many birdie looks, but even more importantly, not many blemishes, either.

“I had a few three putts, but other than that, it was good. I’m really happy with the number I put up,” he said.

Zbrzeznj edged out Spring Ford Country Club’s James Prendergast, Whitemarsh Valley’s Frank Polizzi and Lookaway Golf Club’s Roc Irey, all competing in the gusty afternoon wave, by two strokes. He celebrated with a victory lap back at his home track this afternoon.

“I’m actually headed back out on the course this afternoon. I promised my son-in-law that we would try and qualify for a season-long better-ball championship at Whitemarsh Valley,” he said. “Today was the only day we could do it, so I couldn’t pass it up. It’s a lot of golf, but hey, at least I’ll be feeling good.”

Francis B. Warner of Philadelphia Cricket Club served as the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s secretary-treasurer for 18 years. After his death in 1933, the Association started the Francis B. Warner Cup as an ongoing tribute in his memory. The event marks the first Senior Major of the organization’s tournament season.

Golf Association of Philadelphia
Founded in 1897, the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 200 Full Member Clubs and 70,000 individual members are spread across Eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware. 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.