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