The top two teams in two of the four Division AA sections will go head-to-head this week with a spot in the Golf Association of Philadelphia Team Matches Playoff on the line.
Defending champion Tavistock CC1 (2–0) hopes to hold onto the top spot in Section 1 as it faces Llanerch CC 1 (2–0). Yardley CC1 (2–0) will look to follow suit in Section 2 as it squares off against Philadelphia Cricket Club1 (2–0).
Yardley is coming off a 35–28.75 victory over Lancaster CC. In the win, Pierce Dever led all players with 5.25 points.
“I think the win just showed the balance that we have throughout the whole lineup,” Yardley Team 1 captain Paul Rogowicz said. “It seemed that we kept everything close. We didn’t get beat by big margins.”
With the win, Yardley currently leads Philadelphia Cricket by 3.5 points. Throw the points away, though, when it comes to next week’s battle.
“The points aren’t going to matter. It’s a matter of who wins the match,” Rogowicz said.
Both Yardley and Philadelphia Cricket find themselves in familiar territory entering Week 3. In 2007, Yardley fell to Philadelphia Cricket, 36–25.25, in a battle for a playoff spot.
Chris Kallmeyer, captain of Philadelphia Cricket, believes his squad needs to “continue to play better” for history to repeat itself.
“Yardley has shown that they’re one of the best teams in GAP year after year. I feel that we’re going to have to step it up a bit,” he said. “Winner takes all.”
Philadelphia Cricket edged Spring Ford Sunday by one point, 33–32. Ryan Ade carded 4.75 points and partner Bryan Winsko earned three points in the better-ball for the home squad. Mark Peterson netted a road-high 3.25 individual points.
“That was what really helped us win,” Kallmeyer said. “It was a really close match – as close as it gets.”
In Section 2, Tavistock defeated Olde York CC1, 48–21.75, Sunday. Michael Tash led the home squad with 5.5 points, while James Slonis carded five points for the away team.
“Everybody did well,” Mark Kemenosh, captain of Tavistock, said. “Each week, we’re just trying to find the right combinations of players. If they’re cohesive, it just seems to work better.”
Llanerch trails Tavistock by 8.25 points after defeating RiverCrest GC & Preserve, 48.5–16.75, Sunday. Gerry Gallagher earned a team-high 5.25 points in the win. Llanerch will now prepare to face the defending champion.
“We’ll have our hands full,” Llanerch Team 1 captain Dave Poletti said. “Hopefully, we’ll perform at our highest level.”
Two other Division AA teams will look to secure a playoff spot next week. Commonwealth National GC (2–0) leads Huntingdon Valley CC (1–1) by 32.5 points, while Moselem Springs GC (2–0) holds an 18.5 point advantage over Overbrook GC (1–1).
On Sunday, Commonwealth National beat Manufacturers G&CC, 57.25–12.75. Juniors Connor McNicholas (1.5 points), Matthew Teesdale (4.25 points) and Peter Eiler (3.25 points) proved vital to Commonwealth’s victory, according to captain John Robinson.
“They’re doing a tremendous job. They’re playing to their talent level,” he said.
Commonwealth can clinch a playoff berth against Huntingdon Valley next week.
“It’s all about getting in,” Robinson said. “We’re in a great position. We’ll be happy to be there either which way. You got to play to win. We’re certainly going to do that. We would be shocked if we didn’t get it done and very sad if we screwed it up.”
In Section 4, Moselem Springs defeated Brookside CC (0–2), 42.5–25.5, Sunday. Thomas Soares, Donald Kozik and Lawrence Schultz, Jr. each carded 4.25 points in the win. Moselem Springs will look to earn a playoff spot as it faces Huntsville GC next week.
“We’re excited,” captain William West, Jr., said. “The last two years, we were struggling just to stay in Division AA. We’re feeling pretty good and confident.”
The Playoff and Challenges are set for May 9.
NOTES – Twelve teams won by three points or less in Week 2 … After two weeks of play, Joe Butto of Moselem Springs GC leads all Division AA with 10.25 points … Only 15 clubs have teams that remain undefeated entering Week 3. All four of Commonwealth’s four teams remain unbeaten.
