The Chase for the Cup Continues

The "Golden Bear" Growls

 

On Sunday May 22, 2016 the 4th in a series of 8 tournaments for the Chesapeake Cup Challenge was held on the Nicklaus Course at Bay Creek Resort and Club. The tournament was held in Cape Charles, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, over-looking the Chesapeake Bay.

Hosted by the Washington DC Golf Channel Am Tour, players from 5 different Am Tours challenged each other in 5 individual flights on the Nicklaus course at Bay Creek. 

Opened in 2006, the 7,417 yard Jack Nicklaus Signature designed course is characterized by large waste bunkers and 100+ formal bunkers. With acres of dunes, mature trees, small well-protected greens and water on several holes, one could easily see that Jack took to the challenge of competition in designing a golf course that would rival the one that Arnie had designed for Bay Creek.

Although the rains had subsided for Sundays Cape Charles Classic, the skies were still very overcast and a cool stiff wind had now lent itself to the already demanding course. The welcomed news was that carts would be allowed off of the paths for Sunday’s tournament which brought a sigh of relief to all of the competitors and the Golf Channel Am Tour staff.

It’s not often you get to take your pick between golf on a Nicklaus or Palmer course, two of the biggest names in golf. Bay Creek’s award winning resort is the first in the United States to feature Signature courses from both. 

Golf World ranked Bay Creek 12th on its list of best golf resorts in America. Golf Digest ranks the two courses among the best in the state. One would be hard pressed to choose a favorite among the 2 courses, but ask any member of the Golf Channel Am Tour that made the trip to Cape Charles to play in the Chesapeake Challenge and the Cape Charles Classic and they would agree that Bay Creek will rank with the best courses ANYWHERE!!!

It was a new day on Sunday and a new tournament. Players were excited to challenge their skills on the Nicklaus course and claim Top Honors in their respective flights. Players that had won the previous day on the Palmer course were looking to add another trophy to their ride home, while those that had applauded for the Champions the day before were in quest of hearing the applause for themselves at the conclusion of the round. Unlike the first 2 tournaments of the Chesapeake Cup Challenge, at Riverfront and Nansemond River golf clubs, there would be no 2 day winners at Bay Creek. 

However, with individual and team honors still up for grabs at the halfway point of the series, every player still knew that their finishing position would be critical in determining the outcome of the Chesapeake Cup Challenge.

RESULTS

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT

(Click on Players name to view full scorecard)

After watching a startling sub-par display the day before on the Palmer course consign him to a 2nd place finish, Tip Wight, of the Richmond Tour, set out and succeeded in his quest for a 1st place trophy on Sunday in the Cape Charles Classic. Jack Welch, also representing the Richmond Tour finished 2nd.

HOGAN FLIGHT

Richmond Tour member, Mike Miller, appeared to have enjoyed the congratulatory attention he had received by winning the Chesapeake Challenge the previous day as he continued his torrid play on Sunday through the first 9 holes on the Nicklaus course. Kyle Hoge, also from the Richmond Tour, had other ideas for the outcome of the Hogan flight. Although 3 down at the turn, Hoge began to chip away at Miller’s lead when he began to faulted down the stretch of finishing holes. In the end Hoge had overcome Miller for a 2 shot margin of victory. David Wachnish, representing the Baltimore Tour finished 3rd. In doing so Wachnish picked up quite a few points for the Baltimore Team over the weekend allowing them to gain ground in the Chesapeake Cup Challenge standings.

SARAZEN FLIGHT

Rick Knepp, of the Baltimore Tour, wanted desperately to add his name to the list of winners at Bay Creek over the weekend. After a 3rd place finish the day before, Knepp set out to achieve that goal by building a 3 shot lead at the conclusion of the outward 9 holes. Richmond Tour member, Mel Imad seemed to still be reeling after being defeated in a play-off in the Chesapeake Challenge the previous day. Imad got off to a very rocky start in the beginning of the Cape Charles Classic, but beginning at Hole #6, Imad played the next 8 holes in Even par. The match would swing in favor of both Knepp and Imad for the start of the outward 9 holes. An absolute crushing blow would occur on the 15th hole for Knepp, but the Winner of the Kingsmill Classic Major wasn’t ready to throw in the towel quite yet. As Imad began to have his own difficulties on the finishing holes, Knepp began to make a comeback. But at the conclusion Imad was able to hold on to a 1 shot lead for the win. Willie Dixon (Baltimore Tour) and Michael Davidson (Richmond Tour) finished tied for 3rd.

JONES FLIGHT

After an uncharacteristic finish on the Bay Creek Palmer course in Saturday’s Chesapeake Challenge, Richmond Tour player, Stephen Despres returned to form enough to grasp a 2 stroke margin of victory over a determined Jeff Tomlinson of the DC Tour. Tomlinson held a 2 shot advantage at the turn, but a big swing on the 13th hole put it in Despres’s favor as the 2 players would basically match scorecards the rest of the way in. Keenan Davis of the Richmond Tour finished in 3rd.

SNEAD FLIGHT

The Baltimore Tour sent in the heavy artillery on Sunday when Howard Crossan made his first appearance in the Chesapeake Cup Challenge 4th (in the series of 8) tournament and captured some valuable 1st place points for himself and his team. Crossan’s steady front 9 holes of the Cape Charles Classic, would turn out to be the cushion he would need to fend off the spirited charge of the DC Tour’s previous day winner, Duane Dodwell. Richmond Tour member Jamie Iannelli finished 3rd.

Chesapeake Cup Challenge Team Points earned on Sunday’s Cape Charles Classic on the Nicklaus course at Bay Creek


Richmond 18.5
Baltimore 13.5
DC 6

Did you know that there are Individual Honors for the Chesapeake Cup Challenge?

For more information on the Chesapeake Cup Challenge click on the Tab at the top of the page or the link below.
CHESAPEAKE CUP CHALLENGE

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

(Click on tournament name to register)

June 11      The Chesterfield Open

                    at Lake Chesdin CC

June 25      The Hampton Roads Invitational

                    at Cahoon Plantation GC

June 26       West Neck Open

                    at The Signature at West Neck

July 2          The Traditional

                     at the Traditional Golf Club Royal New Kent

A Day of "First's"

                                  "Hail to the King"

On the weekend of May 21, 22 2016, the Richmond and DC Golf Channel Am Tours hosted the 2^nd installment of the Chesapeake Cup Challenge. The Chesapeake Cup Challenge is an Individual and Team series between the DC, Richmond and Baltimore Golf Channel Am Tours.  The location was Bay Creek Resort & Club, in Cape Charles, Va. on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The remote location across the Chesapeake Bay, was the ideal place to relax, concentrate on golf and enjoy some of the best seafood anywhere to be found.

Golfers from 5 different Golf Channel Am Tours were astonished when they found the 2 signature courses at Bay Creek, both personal designs of none other than “The King”, Arnold Palmer and “The Golden Bear”, Jack Nicklaus.  The 2 courses, although challenging, captivated the players with an awe-inspiring beauty unrivaled by any course they had ever played. 

With several holes on both courses being situated only a few yards from the Chesapeake Bay, at times one might allow their focus on what lay ahead, to escape for a moment while they took in the scenery. Along with the beauty, the courses were in superb condition which allowed the competitors to experience tournaments on two “World Class” courses in one weekend.

The only drawback to the tournaments was the non-cooperative weather, although it could have been much worse. Throughout the week prior, the forecast of precipitation called for 100% heavy rain. As the system approached, it split into 2 parts leaving the southern end of the Eastern Shore in the middle. Along with that, the gracious staff at Bay Creek allowed the Am Tour to push their starting time back by 2 hrs. which greatly played in our favor. 

At the noon start time on Saturday the rain was still falling, but now only lightly and by the time the 1^st pairing reached their 4^th hole they were now shedding the cumbersome rain gear. Being relegated to “Cart Path Only”, soft (no roll) fairways, unseasonably cool temperatures and the slightly unfavorable conditions did little to dampen the spirits of the competitors as they approached each new breath taking challenge upon arriving at the next tee box.

Saturday’s tournament, titled “The Chesapeake Challenge", was held on the Palmer course which was the first to open in 2001. The 7,204 yard layout was highly touted by Arnold as reflected in his comments about it; “I don’t know if you could pick a better spot, or better terrain for a golf course than this……………..I could play this golf course every day and love it”.

One thing is for sure, the players that made the trip to Bay Creek certainly loved it!!!

The Chesapeake Challenge was all about “First’s” and all were GOOD first things for a handful of players and The Golf Channel Am Tour.

RESULTS
(Click on players name to view full scorecard

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT

Phil Colevas (DC Tour) began the list of “First’s” not only with his "First" place finish, but was also the "First" player to post a sub-par round on the Richmond Tour during the 2016 season. Phil’s outstanding round of 69, including 5 birdies, came on the strength of remaining steady off of the tee and never getting into a trouble situation, along with a hot putter. It was also the "First" win for Colevas on the Golf Channel Am Tour. Following Colevas in the final Standings were Tip Wight in 2^nd (Richmond Tour) and Jack Welch (Richmond Tour) in 3^rd.
Phil also added some "First" place points to the DC standing for the Chesapeake Cup

HOGAN FLIGHT

Richmond Tour member, Mike Miller was another player with the “First’s”. Millers "First" place finish in the Hogan Flight was his “First” win since joining the Golf Channel Am Tour. Mike overcame a 2 shot deficit at the turn and managed to hold on for a 3 shot margin of victory over 4 other players. Finishing tied for 2^nd were, Allison Cherry (Richmond Tour), Lloyd Canterberry (Baltimore Tour), Susan Koger (Richmond Tour) and David Wachnish (Baltimore Tour). Canterberry and Wachnish got the Baltimore Tour on the board for the Chesapeake Cup standings with their finishing scores.

SARAZEN FLIGHT

Continuing the string of “First’s” was Richmond Tour member Kenneth Cherry. Although not his “First” win on Tour, it was Cherry’s “First” win since being promoted to the Sr. Sarazen Flight. With his “First” win of the 2016 season, this allowed Cherry to keep his streak alive of at least 1 win for 4 consecutive seasons. After being 4 shots behind coming off of the front 9 holes, Cherry began to chip away at the lead held by Mel Imad (Richmond Tour), who had recorded a 3 over par 9 hole score of 39. Upon making his 2^nd birdie in a row on the 16^th hole Cherry had now erased the deficit on his way to a 1 over par back 9 score of 37 to force a play-off with Imad. With the memories in his head of how it felt to hold the trophy during his days in the Sr. Jones flight, Cherry made quick work of the play-off by winning on the “First” extra hole. With Cherry’s win, Mel Imad was relegated to 2^nd followed by Baltimore Tour member RickKnepp in 3^rd.

JONES FLIGHT

The HIGHLIGHT of all the “First’s” came in the Jones flight. DC Tour member Willie Winfree claimed the trophy in the Jones flight for the Chesapeake Challenge at Bay Creek Resort and Club. It was not Winfree’s “First” win on the Golf Channel Am Tour, nor was it his “First” win of the 2016 season as he accomplished that at Augustine back in the fall. Winfree’s “First” came on his “First” swing on the par three, 15^th hole, and that was the only stroke he needed to complete that hole. His “First” ever Hole in One was one for the ages as it never touched ground until it was in the bottom of the cup. Winfree’s “Ace” was the difference in a 2 shot margin of victory over 2^nd place finisher Bill Crowley of the Richmond Tour. Thomas Porter of the DC Tour finished 3^rd. Winfree's win combined with Porters 3rd place finish gave the DC Tour some much needed points in the Chesapeake Cup standings

SNEAD FLIGHT

For DC Tour member Duane Dodwell it was more difficult to find a “First”. It wasn’t his “First” win on Tour and it wasn’t his “First” win of the season. However, it was the “First” time that he had played in, and won a Richmond Golf Channel Am Tour tournament, and his "First" chance to add more "First" place points to DC's Chesapeake Cup standings. So Duane gets his “First” also with a resounding victory in the Chesapeake Challenge. Finishing 2^nd was Richmond Tour member Mike Biggs, followed in 3^rd by Richmond Tour member Jamie Iannelli

Chesapeake Cup Challenge Team Points earned for Saturdays Chesapeke Challenge on the Palmer Course at Bay Creek

Richmond     22
DC                 12
Baltimore       7

Did you know that there are Individual Honors for the Chesapeake Cup Challenge?

For more Information on the Chesapeake Cup Challenge click on the tab at the top of the page or the link below
CHESAPEAKE CUP CHALLENGE


UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS
(Click on the tournament name to register)

June 11    The Chesterfield Open 
                  at Lake Chesdin CC

June 25    The Hampton Roads Invitational
                  at Cahoon Plantation

June 26    The West Neck Open
                  at The Signature at West Neck