News
OMPGA Announces Senior Club Championship Winners
Forty-five members of the Ocean Pines Men’s Golf Association teed up for the Annual Men’s Senior Club Championship. Cool weather and blustery swirling winds kept many of the scores in check. At the end of the day, five-time Men’s Club champion Bud Humphries collected his second Super Senior (ages 80 and up) title with a gross score of 84. Bill Stafford was just a stroke behind and captured the Super Senior Net Championship with a net score of 74.
In the Senior Championship (ages 50 to 79) five players tied the low score of the day of 84. After going through the tie breaker procedures, 2023 Presidents’ Cup champion Tim Williams took home the champion’s trophy. Fred Ellis turned in the low net score of the day with a 71.
In the Senior flights, Flight 1 was won by Charlie McMichael, with Mike Mason winning low net. Flight 2 was won by Paul Jankowski; Fritz Lahner was the low net score. In Flight 3, 2022 Senior champion Scott Kimmel had the low gross score, with Charles Stromberg earning the low net honors.
Closest to the Pin winners were Bill Stafford for the Super Seniors on hole 16 (20 feet) and Bob Long for the Seniors on hole 7 (3.5’).
Bill Thomson managed the event that included a full lunch, including a variety of beverages served by the Clubhouse Grille. Thanks go to Bill, along with the Pro Shop and Maintenance staffs that helped make the event run smoothly with exceptional course conditions.
Below is a summary of the top scores in each flight:
Golf maintenance crews working to keep up with fast-growing grass
After a mild winter and a rainy spring, the Ocean Pines Golf Club would like to remind players that maintenance crews are working hard to cover a lot of ground.Golf Superintendent Justin Hartshorne said a major area of focus right now is the perimeter mowing around trees and the out of bounds markers along the golf course.
“Our mower runs every day, but it’s just a lot of acreage for us to keep up with while the grass is growing rapidly in the spring season,” he said. “My crew and I appreciate everyone’s patience as we continue to mow those areas!”
For more information on the Ocean Pines Golf Club, call 410-641-6057 or visit www.oceanpinesgolf.org.
Ravens Roost seeks sponsors, participants for 2023 Scholarship Golf Tournament
Ocean City Ravens Roost #44 will hold their 26th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament on Friday, June 2 at the Ocean Pines Golf Club, a Robert Trent Jones designed course.
Tournament organizers are seeking players and sponsors for the event.
All tournament proceeds will fund college scholarships to three local high schools: Indian River High School, Stephen Decatur High School, and Worcester Preparatory School. In 2022, Ravens Roost #44 awarded $15,000 in scholarships. To date, the group has provided nearly $230,000 in scholarships.
Event committee member Don McMullen said scholarship funding this year would at least match the 2022 totals, which was a record donation by the nonprofit.
Tournament organizers are seeking players and sponsors for the event.
All tournament proceeds will fund college scholarships to three local high schools: Indian River High School, Stephen Decatur High School, and Worcester Preparatory School. In 2022, Ravens Roost #44 awarded $15,000 in scholarships. To date, the group has provided nearly $230,000 in scholarships.
Event committee member Don McMullen said scholarship funding this year would at least match the 2022 totals, which was a record donation by the nonprofit.
Ocean Pines to host Resident Golf Day, April 9
Ocean Pines Golf Club will hold a Resident Golf Day on Sunday, April 9.The event will feature free greens fees for Ocean Pines residents, playing tips, fun activities, and a chance to learn more about Ocean Pines golf groups.
Tee times have been set aside for residents from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Greens fees are free; cart fees are $25 per player for 18 holes and $15 per player for nine holes. An Ocean Pines resident ID card (available at the Ocean Pines Administration Building) must be shown at check in to receive the special rate.
Please note that free greens fees are for registered golfers only – no additional riders or walkers are allowed.
Representatives from the new Golf Academy in Ocean Pines, the Ocean Pines Men’s Golf Association, the Ocean Pines Ladies’ Golf Association and the Ocean Pines Golf Advisory Committee will be on hand with information and sign-up opportunities.
Homegrown Talent to Lead New Golf Academy at Ocean Pines
Ten years ago, a junior golfer named Matt Ruggiere could be found at the Ocean Pines Golf Club most mornings, his car headlights pointed at the driving range as he practiced chipping just before class.This March, Ruggiere will return home to lead a new Golf Academy at Ocean Pines, offering lessons to players of all ages and skill levels.
Ruggiere grew up in the South Gate area of Ocean Pines and played golf for Stephen Decatur High School. He also toured the Mid-Atlantic region on junior golf teams.
He said the Ocean Pines Golf Club is still a favorite, because of the Robert Trent Jones design.
“Ocean Pines was always my home course. The design is just spectacular,” Ruggiere said. “I do think it’s one of the most challenging in the area, so being a competitive junior and having a place to play and practice, I felt like I always had an edge over kids that came from other courses. That helped me a lot when I started competing.”