Warner Cup (Gross): WVCC's Zbrzeznj takes Super-Senior title - The Golf Association of Philadelphia

May 03, 2018

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.

Name, club Score
Bernie Zbrzeznj, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club 73
Roc Irey, Lookaway Golf Club 75
Frank Polizzi, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club 75
James Prendergast, Spring Ford Country Club 75
Joe Cordaro, Saucon Valley Country Club 76
Thomas Mallouk, Lookaway Golf Club 77
Alan Over, Bent Creek Country Club 77
Thomas Bartolacci, Jr., Lu Lu Country Club 78
Gary Gordon, Philadelphia Cricket Club 78
Buck Jones, Philadelphia Publinks GA 78
William Lawler, Fox Hill Country Club 78
Donald MacKelcan, Wilmington Country Club 78
Robin McCool, Saucon Valley Country Club 78
Steve Tagert, Spring Ford Country Club 78
Tom DiCinti, Old York CC at Chesterfield 79
Carl Everett, Merion Golf Club 79
John Gonsior, Limekiln Golf Club 79
Dave Jacobson, Medford Village Country Club 80
Alan Van Horn, Commonwealth National Golf Club 80
Thomas Humphrey, Wilmington Country Club 81
Howard Press, Little Mill Country Club 81
Michael Anton, Lookaway Golf Club 82
Gerald Eckert, Bent Creek Country Club 82
Robert Lodovici, Little Mill Country Club 82
Robert Ockenfuss, Makefield Highlands Golf Club 82
Raymond Pawulich, Little Mill Country Club 82
Robert Billings, Rolling Green Golf Club 83
Jerry Janeski, Hartefeld National 83
Norman Jester, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club 83
Charles McClaskey, Philadelphia Publinks GA 83
Terrence Sawyer, Lu Lu Country Club 83
David Taylor, White Manor Country Club 83
Don Donatoni, White Manor Country Club 84
Michael Nilon, Philadelphia Country Club 84
Sheldon Pollack, Bala Golf Club 84
Jeffrey True, Lebanon Country Club 84
Richard Umani, Honeybrook Golf Club 86
Jon Mabry, Moorestown Field Club 87
Willard Woolbert, Philadelphia Cricket Club 88
Paul Keating, Aronimink Golf Club 90
Bob Majczan, Lookaway Golf Club 90
Matthew Bellis, Commonwealth National Golf Club 92
Eugene Maginnis, Jr., Whitemarsh Valley Country Club 93
Donald Ashley, Philadelphia Country Club WD
WD-withdrawal

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