Long Road Ends in Victory for Team North at Chapter Four-Ball Finals
October 15th, 2021
Unlike the Match Play Singles, the Chapter Four-Ball Finals is a team event that pits each chapter of the PGA of Ontario against one another for bragging rights over the tournament season. The inaugural final was contested over two days at Maple Downs Golf and Country Club this past Wednesday and Thursday.
Having the days split up allowed the players a much-needed rest, the greens crew time to get ready for the final match-up, and for the audience, let the anticipation for the finals grow.
ROAD TO THE FINALS
Joseph D'Alfonso (The Academy at Copper Creek) and Michael Resciniti (The Academy at Copper Creek) started their push to the finals all the way back at the beginning of the season in June. Their first match, against Robbie Oliver + Stephen Bardswick, was held right here at Maple Downs - little did they know they would later be fighting in a tight battle to take home the gold. They continued their push, beating out 4 other teams, in 4 rounds of golf, for a chance to represent the North Chapter at the finals.
"We always felt in control," said D'Alfonso in regards to their trip to the finals. "It doesn't feel like a normal tournament, so just getting out to meet the guys and play, you don't feel as much pressure."
On the other end, representing the PGA of Ontario's West Chapter was tournament regulars Adam Beange (Deer Ridge Golf Club) and James Skrypec (The Academy at Deer Ridge). Their trip to the finals was much like that of their opponents, running into past tournament winners like Jakob Montemurro and Colin Murray along the way.
When it came time for the semi-finals, it was Team North v. Team East of Jacob Peterson (St. George's Golf and Country Club) + Nolan Walsh (St. George's Golf and Country Club). After two consecutive wins on holes on 5 and 6, D'Alfonso and Resciniti were cruising 2 holes up. A late rally from Team East on 9 brought it back to within 1 as they rounded the corner. Unfortunately for Team East, it wasn't enough to carry them through as Team North took it by 2 up.
Adam Beange and James Skrypec were tasked with taking on Alex Thomson (Essex Golf and Country Club) and Brad Vander Pryt (Tilbury Golf & Country Club) from Team South Chapter. Despite being down at the turn by 1, they were able to climb back with a few clutch birdies on the back to take it 2 up.
In the Consolation Final, Jacob Peterson and Nolan Walsh were able to come out on top over Alex Thomson and Brad Vander Pryt by one hole. Congratulations to the East Chapter on a stellar performance!
Finally, the stage was set for the PGA of Ontario's first-ever Chapter Four-Ball Finals.
CLOSE ONE TILL THE END
The final match-up between Joseph D'Alfonso + Michael Resciniti and Adam Beange + James Skrypec was practically silent despite being (or, perhaps, because of) being so close. Very little conversation could be heard between the two teams or even between teammates.
"I think we just trusted one another, we were so caught up in the game, everything mattered, and we just knew that nagging the other player wasn't going to help," said D'Alfonso.
After a great start with some spectacular tee-shots off the first hole, both teams birdied the first par 5. Despite Beange landing himself in the sandtrap, Skrypec was there to back him up, and vice-versa; they were playing good team golf. A few holes passed, with no clear aggressor, and things remained tied until hole 4 when both Beange and Skrypec could not convert on the birdie putt and fell behind.
This wouldn't last long as on the very next hole, a par 5, Beange made up for his mistake on hole #1 and hit a clutch putt to secure the birdie, rendering the contest tied once more. As they rounded the turn, Beange and Skrypec were leading by one hole after birdying hole #9.
The back is where things got interesting. D'Alfonso, who had recorded 2 birdies and 2 bogeys on the front, in comparison to Resciniti's 3 birdies and no bogeys, hit a clutch putt to birdie 12, tieing things up once again. Hole 14, a short par 3, is where Beange and Skrypec began to show signs of slowing down. After a short tee-shot, Beange tapped in a bogey. Skrypec, who had placed himself well on the green wrapped around the hole and out to bogey also - down 1 again.
On hole #16, Beange walked up to his ball and sunk a 15-footer to birdie.
"Let's go Beange-y!" yelled Skrypec who was looking at the ground, overwhelmed with the anxiety of the moment.
D'Alfonso, who was back a little further than Beange, walked up to his ball, knowing the importance of the putt, and confidently, after two practice swings, nailed the putt to birdie and tie the hole.
After a right-leaning tee-shot ended up in the woods for Beange on #17, he decided not to go back to hit a provisional, instead opting to put his trust in Skrypec to nail the hole and keep them in the game.
After each player sunk a very respectable par, Resciniti approached his ball in an attempt to sink his putt, and hopefully, win the entire tournament.
They sat and watched, trying to plan out where the ball was leaning. Confidently Resciniti approached and hit the shot he had made a million times before. With a gasp, everyone held their breath as the ball sank in the cup, a perfectly weighted putt.
"Yes!" yelled D'Alfonso as he ran up and hugged his season-long partner. This was D'Alfonso's second PGA of Ontario tournament win and Resciniti's first-ever.
"I had a good teammate, that is all there is to it," said D'Alfonso, his only comments after the match.
Thank you to all the players for another great season, and a big shout-out to Michael Moniz and Maple Downs Golf and Country Club for hosting such a thrilling two days of competition.
Those looking for photos from the event will find them on the PGA of Ontario Facebook page.
It's award season! See who's in the running for them HERE.