Junior golfers flock to Cape Region for Rehoboth Junior Open
June 14, 2002
Over 85 junior golfers traveled to Rehoboth Beach Country Club for the Rehoboth Junior Open on Monday, June 10. The weather was perfect, the course was challenging, and the golf was, according to several participants, a “whole lot of fun.”
Prior to the 1 p.m. shotgun tournament, Bob McCurry presented the 2002 scholarship awards from the Delaware State Golf Association Scholarship Fund.
Christina Wagamon received the top scholarship award of $3,500. That should come in handy when she begins her first year at Catawba College in North Carolina, where the Cape graduate will play for the NCAA Division II women’s golf team.
Kevin Patrick Boyle received the $2,500 second level award. Four graduating seniors received the $1,500 third level award, including Kristin Gamgort, Michael Tobiason, Jr., Chris Schieffer, and Jason Adkins of Milford.
Greg Carlin won the Championship Flight with a fine 73. Carlin, who plays for Georgetown Prep, is a member of Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, MD, and a summer resident of Rehoboth Beach with his family. They also belong to RBCC, and Carlin said his local course knowledge came in handy. “I’ve played here a lot, so I had a good idea about where to place my tee shots and how the greens would perform.”
Tyler Witman initially tied for second in the Championship Flight with Tobiason, last year’s winner. Both shot 75 for the initial 18 holes, and competed in a playoff for second place. They landed their tee shots in the fairway just short of 300 yards out from the first hole’s blue tees, with Witman’s drive about 10 yards longer.
Tobiason’s approach shot landed on the green about 45 feet away, while Witman’s shot landed in the left rough, much closer to the hole. Tobiason missed his par putt from about 4 feet, but Witman made a one-putt for his par and the second place trophy.
The way the two boys handled the playoff hole was emblematic of their rounds. Tobiason said, “The 75 was okay, but I had at least 4 three-putts.” Witman said, “I was scrambling all day. I only hit four fairways and 6 greens in regulation, and had to make a bunch of close chips to make par.”
Julia Robinson surprised herself and many others with her victory in the Girls’ Championship. The 13-year-old Cape resident shot an 85, tying her best round ever on her home course. “It was so much fun!,” she grinned. Robinson just finished the 7th grade at Worcester Country Day School, where she plays on the middle school golf team.
Wagamon finished second with an 88. “I felt like I played better than I scored. I was rolling putts like anything—just awesome. I had a 42 on the front nine. I put a shot into the water on 10, though, and finished the back nine with a 46.”
John Purple, who just finished ninth grade at Cape, shot one of his best rounds at RBCC. The Kings Creek resident’s 84 qualified him for second place in the 14-15 year category.
Other Cape Region participants included Micah Vugrinec (87), Brett Hertel (93), Shannon Prettyman (94), Brad Schneider (97), and Reinie Vugrinec (101).
RBCC Assistant Pro John Wallet, himself the proud father of twins, made sure I knew that a set of fraternal triplets from Wilmington played in the 11-13 year category.
Rob Malone brought his sons Ethan, Logan, and Collin to participate in their first big tournament of their young career. They will be entering the 6th grade at St. Thomas the Apostle School, and play at Delcastle Golf Course “as much as we can,” according to Collin.