Cape golf team sets record with 149-162 win over Milford
April 13, 2001
“It was an outstanding day!”
Cape Henlopen High School golf coach Jerry Dorneman made no attempt to hide his emotions after his Viking squad beat Henlopen Conference rival Milford on Tuesday, April 10, with an impressive 149-162 score.
All four of Cape’s scoring golfers posted rounds in the 30s, a result Dorneman said had never been equaled by any prior Cape golf team with which he’d been involved. “Even years ago, as an unpaid assistant, with all the great golfers that have come through this program, I can’t recall any team ever posting four rounds like that in a single event. This is definitely a first as far as I know,” Dorneman grinned.
J.J. Oakley led all players with a par round of 36 on Rehoboth Beach Country Club’s front nine. His round included a 25-foot putt for birdie on the ninth that drew applause from his teammates and the spectators.
“I had a good round,” said Oakley. “I birdied the fourth hole and only had two bogeys, including a one-putt for bogey on the sixth.”
Oakley spoke well of his competition. “I like playing the guys from Milford. We know each other, they’re good players, and they follow golf etiquette.”
Golf is a sport that admittedly attracts the occasionally self-absorbed. On the other hand, Oakley’s playing partner, Tyler Witman, was as interested in talking about Oakley as about his own round. “J.J. played really well today. He made some great putts, including some two-putts for par from long-distance. It was fun to watch.”
Witman was no slouch, either, posting a 37 for his season-best at Rehoboth. “I hit my irons really well today, and made 8 greens in regulation. I birdied the 7th hole with an approach to two-and-a-half feet, and made a double on 4. I went for the green in two, and fanned the shot into the water.”
Mark Johnson was also pleased with his 37. “I putted excellent today. I birdied 6 and bogeyed 3 and 4. Basically, I listened to what my uncle [Terry Johnson] told me, and had fun.”
Adam Talley finished the team scoring with a 39. “There was nothing too special about my round, really. I birdied 7, and drove out-of-bounds left on 9 for a double bogey. I wasn’t real happy with my bogey on number 1, my last hole of the day.”
The April 10 win continued an unbeaten season for Cape, including their April 5 win over Lake Forest High School at Rehoboth CC, 156-225.
Oakley earned medalist honors with a 36, including three birdies, a bogey, and a double bogey. “I bladed my sand shot on number 8, and was lucky to make bogey on that one,” Oakley said.
Witman’s 39 included a double and two bogeys. “I had a 4 footer for par on number 3 that broke at least 6 to 7 inches, and missed it.”
Talley shot a 40 as the third Cape scorer. “I parred 1, 4, and 7, and birdied 5. My second shot on 9 was only 20 yards off the green, but I picked my chip shot and made bogey.”
Ritthaler scored his best round of the season thus far with a 41. “I tripled bogeyed to start, and doubled 8, but the rest were pars.”
At press time the Vikings were to travel north to play Smyrna on April 11, before spring break begins. The squad next hosts Caesar Rodney on April 24.
Short Putts
The folks at Clubhouse Golf are now open for business at the former Golf Day site on Rehoboth Avenue and Route 1, just outside Rehoboth Beach.
Ed Larkins and his merry gang of sales staff are looking forward to meeting the needs of Cape Region golfers and tourists looking for bargains. Give them a call at 227-3347, or stop by between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to welcome them back.