2023 Ocean Pines Golf Championship results announced
(July 5, 2023) Frank Sallese won the 2023 Ocean Pines Golf Club Championship with an overall gross score of 164, after two days of tough competition on June 24-25.
The championship was open to all Ocean Pines residents and club members and showcased remarkable skill among the participants.
In the end, three players emerged as top contenders, finishing within a mere two strokes of the lead.
In the Championship Flight and competing from the blue tees, Sallese held onto a narrow margin from the first day of competition to pull out the overall victory. He fended off strong challenges from Charles Vigilante and the reigning 2022 champion, Gerry Butler, who finished one and two strokes behind, respectively.
In Flight One, teeing off from the white tees, Fritz Lahner also held onto a day-one lead to clinch victory with a one-stroke advantage over Darin Stuiber and Ben Frock.
Meanwhile, in Flight Two, battling it out from the gold tees, Chuck Choate came back from a three-stroke deficit to pull out the victory with a remarkable four-stroke lead. He beat out formidable opponents in Ron Sieka and Bill Stafford to claim the well-deserved victory.
The Ocean Pines course, after enduring several days of heavy rains, presented an additional challenge with its extended length beyond the standard 6632 yards and 70.7 course rating. However, the weather favored the competitors as the showers held off until after Saturday's play. Sunday greeted the players with warm and humid weather under sunny skies, creating an ideal backdrop for the championship's conclusion.
Despite the challenging course conditions, the greens and fairways maintained their excellent condition throughout the tournament.
The 2023 Ocean Pines Golf Championship provided an unforgettable display of skill, resilience, and sportsmanship. Congratulations to all the participants for their exceptional performance, and a special acknowledgment to the winners of each flight.
The event was run by Ocean Pines Golf Director Bob Beckelman, John O'Connor, and the Ocean Pines Golf Club staff.