Iona College wins inaugural Rehoboth Beach Invitational Tournament
October 6, 2000
Ryan Day of George Washington University forgot one of the rules of being a good host at the inaugural Rehoboth Beach Invitational held Oct. 2 at Kings Creek Country Club.
The senior from Lamoine, Maine shot a two-over par 146 in the one-day 36-hole event to win medalist honors. Over 70 college golfers from 14 East Coast colleges and universities competed.
Iona College took team honors with a combined score of 601, followed by GW’s A team in second (606) and Maryland in third (612).
“It was a beautiful day,” grinned Scott Allen, the GW coach. “The course was in great shape, and the golfers really appreciated the help of the club staff and the volunteers. I hope we can make this an annual event.”
Normally, Kings Creek requires the use of carts, in part because of the winding layout. College golfers must walk, however. To speed up play, several Kings Creek members shuttled the players between holes on some of the longer stretches between the tees and greens.
Several golfers struggled on the difficult layout. Joe Passio, LaSalle University’s coach, said ruefully, “It’s a good thing I’m not being paid by the score. There was a little bit of everything off with my group.”
Passio didn’t blame the course. “It’s a great layout. The bunkering is very good. After a while the bunkers seem to get into the players’ heads, and they start trying to steer the ball.”
Bob Lynch, the coach for St. Joseph’s University, said “The weather’s really nice, but our golf’s another story. Our opening round score of 321 should have been more like 312. My guys need to learn more about course management. They can all hit good, but they need to remember that sometimes bogey works.”
The par-72, 6,615 yard layout puts a premium on strategy. Allen said, “The course took its toll on the players. On several holes the players are strong enough to only need to use irons off the tee, but it’s hard to convince them. If they make the wrong club choice, this course is very penal.”
Al Carlson, coach for Columbia University, really appreciated the fact that the event only took one day. Ivy League rules limit his team to 14 days of competition over the year.
Carlson was very impressed overall. “This event was really first class. I didn’t know anything about this area, and it’s beautiful. Kings Creek is a fun course, if you don’t attack it. The members were fabulous. Our accommodations [at The Breakers] were very nice. I hope we are invited back next year.”
Dave Brown, Temple University’s coach, laughed and said, “This course was almost too much of a test for college golfers. They really have to think the ball around. Too many of them still want to just grip and rip it.”
Some didn’t. Temple senior Christian Bartolacci said he only used his driver twice in each round. “I used my 3 wood all day. I doubled [the par-3 6th hole,] my last hole in each round, and shot 77-72.”
Sue and Ron Allen, the parents of coach Allen, joined their fellow Kings Creek members in helping club manager Stephen Cobb and club pro Ty Mayers with the tournament. “It went very well. We shuttled the players, and several members also helped as spotters.”
Lucky Regli gushed, “What wonderful young men! I hope they come back.”
Gail Petren said, “The players took good care of the course, and were very well-mannered. They showed great etiquette all day, and were very appreciative. There was not a one that didn’t thank me.”
Mayers summed it up well. “This was a success. Our members supported it, the course was in great shape, and the weather couldn’t have been nicer. A great day.”