GCS Region 2 Meeting and Hickory Tournament
Region 2 held its annual hickory tournament, awards dinner and trade fair on May 19-20, 2006. In addition to local GCS members, Donna and Jim Senkewitz, along with Mary and Bernie Bernacki, joined us from Pittsburgh. Marge and Eric Wolke came from New York. Jean and Patrick Kennedy made the trip from Vermont and John Roth came up from North Carolina.
We gathered for a hickory tournament at Twining Valley Golf Club in the Philadelphia area, a course celebrating its 75th anniversary. Seventeen golfers managed their way around this par 69 layout. Patrick Kennedy won the Low Gross trophy with an 89. Bill Weisler was Low Net Champion with 72 and Bill also won Closest to the Pin honors. Allen Wallach captured the Longest Drive, while Pat Regan of Scranton was named Best Dressed of 2006. At the awards dinner we were treated to reflections of the early days of the GCS by John Capers the #3 member of the Society.
Pete Trenham, PGA Professional and Historian for the Philadelphia Section of The PGA of America did a slide presentation on early PGA professionals. These early professionals, including Johnny McDermott, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan worked for clubs in the Philadelphia region. Pete’s information about these storied pros was very interesting and the audience responded with several questions.
The event culminated with an open tent trade fair on Saturday where Eric Wolke featured his home molded gutta percha ball and John Capers talked, of all things, Merion. Many thanks to Len Brown, Rich Harris and Bill Weisler for their efforts to make for a successful event!
Bob Gettis, Region 2 Director