"Atlantic Publinks Challenge" Matches

PPGA Winning Team Members from Left to Right: Ari Flaisher, Jim Gillespie, Mike Carr, Ken Gaskill, Mike Owsik
Tony Carroll, Chris Hunger, Scott Mcneil, Chris Fieger, Jason Loehrs, Chris Thude, Steve Owens, Jr., Mike Brown, Luis Diaz
Pat Sullivan, Mike Harms

Pictures from Atlantic Publinks Challenge

The inaugural Atlantic Publinks Challenge matches provided a nail biting finish as darkness was falling on the Pine Ridge Golf Course in Lutherville, MD. With 8.5 points needed to win the Challenge and both teams tied at 7.5 points with the final match all square, the final hole would decide the victorious team. Heading up the last with both teams surrounding the green, the atmosphere was tense as Mike Brown and Jim Gillespie from the PPGA attempted to best Billy Wengard and Bryan Healy from the BMGC to capture the cup. The 18th hole is a 514 yard par-5 and both teams, with good drives, could reach the par-5 in two. After the tee-shots, only Gillespie and Brown had a chance to go for the green in two. After lay-ups from the baltimore squad, Brown's second shot missed the green right upagainst the base of a tree and was left with an impossible chip. Gillespie's ball was on the up-slope in the grass above the front left green-side bunker. Healy's approach stopped 12 feet right of the hole. Gillespie then chipped to seven feet left of the hole. With neither Brown nor Wengard on the green in regulation, it was up to Gillespie and Healy.

Healy, from Baltimore, would have the first chance at birdie, and with a make, the pressure would be squarely on Gillespie's shoulders. Healy hit a putt that looked good the entire way but dove sharp left before the hole and missed on the low side. The outcome of the inaugural matches now rested squarely on the shoulders of Jim Gillespie. Gillespie confidently stroked the putt and the ball rolled towards the hole, breaking slightly right before disappearing into the hole. The now victorious PPGA team surrounded Gillespie on the green to celebrate the victory.

The PPGA team jumped out to a commanding 5.5 to 2.5 lead after the morning foursomes matches. Despite the big lead for the PPGA squad, all eight matches were closely contested with every match going to at least the 17th hole and the largest margin of victory was 3&1. The afternoon four-ball matches started with Baltimore claiming victory in the first four and gaining a 6.5 to 5.5 advantage. The PPGA would now have to win three of the last four matches to claim victory in the inaugural matches.

The first team with a chance was Steve Owens and Chris Thude. Owens and Thude had a 1-up advantage coming up the home hole. Thude hit his approach to fifteen feet and Owens, to four. When both players from the Baltimore team missed their birdie chances the birdie putts from the PPGA side were conceded and gave the team of Owens and Thude a 2-up victory and a 6.5 to 6.5 tie overall in the matches with three groups still on the course.

The next two matches were split as Mike Owsik and Chris Fieger of the PPGA managed a 2&1 victory over Serge Hogg and Troy Miller. Brett Keller and Jim Winner of BMGC then defeated Scott McNeil and Jason Loehrs 1-up tying the score at 7.5 to 7.5 setting the dramatic finish for Gillespie.

Mike Brown, Chris Fieger and Chris Thude all had perfect 2-0 records for the victorious PPGA team.

Final Results

PPGA 8.5 DEF. Baltimore 7.5

Alternate-Shot

Ken Gaskill-Mike Harms, PPGA Halved Greg Ruark-Blair Laubach, BMGC
Ari Flaisher-Mike Carr, PPGA def. Jim Pappas-Jack MacDonald, BMGC 2&1
Luis Diaz-Pat Sullivan, PPGA def. Mike Filler-Doug McIlvaine, BMGC 2&1
Tony Carroll-Chris Thude, PPGA def. Will Zelaya-Ross Ellberg, BMGC 1-up
Tim Osgood-Troy Miller, BMGC def. Jim Gillespie-Chris Hunger, PPGA 2&1
Chris Fieger, Sr.-Scott McNeil, PPGA def. Brett Keller-Bryan Healy, BMGC 1-up
Mike Brown-Jason Loehrs, PPGA def. Rusty McCready-Jim Winner, BMGC 2&1
Serge Hogg-Billy Wingerd, BMGC def. Steve Owens, Jr.-Mike Owsik, PPGA 3&1

Better-Ball of Partners

Rusty McCready-Mike Filler, BMGC def. Pat Sullivan-Mike Harms, PPGA 4&3
Doug McIlvaine-Greg Ruark, BMGC def. Ken Gaskill-Luis Diaz, PPGA 2&1
Blair Laubach-Will Zelaya, BMGC def. Mike Carr-Tony Carroll, PPGA 3&2
Tim Osgood-Jim Pappas, BMGC def. Ari Flaisher-Chris Hunger, PPGA 1-up
Steve Owens, Jr.-Chris Thude, PPGA def. Jack MacDonald-Ross Ellberg, BMGC 2-up
Chris Fieger, Sr.-Mike Owsik, PPGA def. Serge Hogg-Troy Miller, BMGC 2&1
Brett Keller-Jim Winner, BMGC def. Scott McNeil-Jason Loehrs, PPGA 1-up
Mike Brown-Jim Gillespie, PPGA def. Billy Wingerd-Bryan Healy, BMGC 1-up

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