NORTH COVENTRY, Pa.-Charles McClaskey of Wyncote GC added his name to a select group of Golf Association of Philadelphia champions on Wednesday at Bellewood Golf Club.
McClaskey, 65, of Elkton, Mary., carded a 3-under-par 68, capturing his third Francis B. Warner Cup title in the last six years. Only six others have accomplished that feat in the 70-year history of the Warner Cup, including GAP legendary figures J. Wood Platt (a five-time champion), Harold Cross, Jr. and W.B. McCullough, Jr.
Frank E. Gutshall, Jay Howson, Jr. and James G. Sanders also captured the Warner Cup three times.
Just to be in that category is special,” said McClaskey. “This has been the best spring of my life. I’ve done some things I’ve never done on the golf course before.” As a for instance, McClaskey said he’s carded three consecutive rounds without making a bogey and has had more rounds than he can recall in the 60s.
Bellewood GC, which was sweltering hot and offered penal lies if the ball strayed from the fairway into the fescue on Wednesday, also seems to hold a soft spot in his golf game.
His only other time playing Bellewood GC was two years ago. That year, McClaskey was the medalist in a U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier.
Wednesday, McClaskey recorded six birdies and three bogeys, a pair of 34s (36-35) en route to the title.
McClaskey, who started his round on No. 10 (par 5, 538 yards), opened with a tap-in birdie after lipping out an eagle chance from 20 yards.
A bogey on the par 3, 14th hole (169 yards), he missed a 2-footer for par, brought him back to even before he rocketed a driver and 4-iron to 20 feet on No. 18 (par 5, 515 yards). His eagle try just slid past.
McClaskey continued his strong play on the front, with birdies on No. 1 (par 4, 366 yards) and No. 2 (par 5, 477 yards), the latter after dropping a 60-degree wedge to two feet.
A pair of bogeys followed, but McClaskey recovered nicely with a birdie on No. 5 (par 4, 377 yards) and another on No. 7 (par 5, 503 yards).
I try to have a little extra focus and look ahead at the big picture,” said McClaskey. “This is a Senior Player of the Year [points event] and I try to play well in those type of tournaments.
McClaskey was the 2000 Senior Player of the Year.
Mike Rose of Ashbourne CC, the defending Warner Cup champion, recorded an even-par 71 and placed second. Don Donatoni of White Manor CC finished third with a 72.
Donatoni posted the low round in the morning.
I’ve actually been working more with my [three] sons on their game more than on my own,” said Donatoni, 56, of Bryn Mawr, Pa. “At some point, I’ll have a break through.
*Players eligible to place in one division
Gross Division
Overall
1. Charles McClaskey, Wyncote GC 68
Flight A (55-59)
1. Mike Rose, Ashbourne CC 71
2. Don Donatoni, White Manor CC 72
Flight B (60-64)
1. * Michael Sanger, Merion GC 77
2. George Carr, Running Deer GC 77
Flight C (65-69)
1. Richard Smith, Philadelphia CC 75
2. Robert Proto, Little Mill CC 77
Flight D (70-74)
1. William Whitman, Moselem Springs GC 80
2. Thomas Conboy, Sandy Run CC 84
Flight E (75 and over)
1. Robert W. VanZandt, The Springhaven Club 85
2. *James Jones, Philadelphia Cricket Club 93
Net Division
Flight A (55-59)
1. Steven Owens, Ashbourne CC 64
2. Scott Dichter, Meadia Heights GC 68
Flight B (60-64)
1. Aaron Rosenzweig, Ashbourne CC 65
2. *Chris Frazier, Sunnybrook GC 70
Flight C (65-69)
1. Joseph Dantas, Reading CC 68
2. *Anthony Zalis, Little Mill CC 71
Flight D (70-74)
1. James Ginsberg, Philmont CC 77
2. * Frederick, Stark, St. Davids GC 79
Flight E (75 and over)
1. Stanley Nash, Merion GC 70
2. Robert Murphy, Whitemarsh Valley CC 77
*won in scorecard playoff
