Team Match Finals
The Olympic Club claimed its first NCGA Team Match Championship, defeating Sharon Heights 21-15 at Poppy Hills.
Poppy Hills GC
October 24-25, 2008
PEBBLE BEACH – The championship is the ultimate conclusion to a summer-long competition involving 212 teams from across the region. The 12-man teams competed in four-ball (best ball) matches concurrent with singles’ matches, with each match worth two points, or a total of six in each group. More than 16,000 rounds were played in bringing the four final clubs to Poppy Hills.
In one of the closest finals in years, The Olympic Club secured the win with the penulitmate group. Playing in a heavy fog that resembles what they face at their Daly City club, the players parlayed the quasi home-field advantage to a narrow lead that included only one six-point sweep in the six matches, that coming from the Bob Tatemichi/Roger Pytlewski duo. Sharon Heights started the finals by building an early 8-4 lead, but the Menlo Park club was unable to hold off the charge.
“We’re proud to represent The Olympic Club. We’ve had a strong team and a close-knit group all year,” said team co-captain Marcus Colabianchi. “On Friday, we were giving a collective 56 strokes as a team, and after that we just had to go get the job done. This was a fantastic event.”
In an inner-city battle between two clubs on the opposite sides of Golden Gate Park, The Olympic Club upended Lincoln Park 26-10 for the Saturday League title to qualify for the finals.
Sharon Heights claimed the Thursday League title to qualify for the finals, defeating Whitney Oaks of Rocklin 24-12.
Earlier in the day, Whitney Oaks defeated Lincoln Park in the consolation match, 21-15, earning third place overall. Lincoln Park came into the championship seeking an unprecedented third league title.
Thursday and Saturday League Championship Results
Thursday League Playoffs
Thursday League Regular Season
Saturday League Playoffs
Saturday League Regular Season
Overall Champions The Olympic Club: First row (L-R): Joe Sheehy, Dominic Piazza, Marcus Colabianchi and Peter Smyrak. Second row: Roger Pytlewski, Jim Nuss, Matt Baumann and Brian Jeung. Back row: Frank Ahern, John Kramer and Bob Tatemichi. Not pictured – Herb Brown, Mark Moritz, Steve Hoza and Tim Dien.
Thursday League Champions Sharon Heights - First row (L-R): Greg Sollers, John Nash, Jerry Lass and Fred Robanser. Second row: Bill McClean, Bob McCollum, Joe Francesconi and Kris Baxter. Third row: Bob Enslow, Jim Knipp, Mike Staskus, Joe Zabkar and John Hamachek. Back row: Rich Hoadley and Chuck VanLinge.
Whitney Oaks – First row (L-R): Terry Siler, Greg Larson, Mark Lenz, Fred Huston and Ed McGreehan. Second row: Chuck Roberts, Steve Ronan, Dave Baker, Jeff Burkhead and Steve Schroder. Back row: Rich Bricker, Doug King, Kyle Gillmore, Mike Poetsch and Gary Costello.
 Lincoln Park - First row (L-R): Rod Manning, Bob Dalziel, Paul Kumli, Ken Harrington and Tom Raher. Second row: Jim McBeath, Mike Han, Naoto DeSilva and Cassidy Raher. Back row: John Jackson, Rich Angermann, Chris Matthews and John Peterson. |
Thanks to the NCGA for creating a most special tournament. I had a wonderful experience, and was able to share it with my son, and team member. All the officials were extremely helpful and enhanced the competitive dynamic. Well done. Are the team photos available? If so I’d like to request one. Tom
October 26th, 2008 at 11:15 amTom – Glad you enjoyed the event. Check your e-mail for the photo.
Thanks,
October 27th, 2008 at 8:06 amGreat weather, great golf, and the best of the best officials. I thought the tournament was well run, and the officials/observers did a great job. The officials were very helpful, and did a fantastic job explaining rulings. Hopefully we will be part of the championship again in 09′. Thank you for everything.
If possible, I’d like to request a team photo.
Freddy
October 27th, 2008 at 9:19 amFred – Thanks for the comments. Check your e-mail for the team photo.
October 27th, 2008 at 9:29 amAs a former member of Lincoln Park and current member of Olympic Club, I must say that I am very proud of our San Francisco golfers. Apparently, we are on the verge of returning to our glory days of Ward, Venturi, Miller et al.! Please stand against any proposal of a redevelopment of Lincoln Park or Sharp Park into anything other than 1st rate golf facilities, as was done at Harding.
October 29th, 2008 at 10:53 pm