News
Ocean Pines welcomes new Golf pro
Ocean Pines Association has announced the hiring of Bob Beckelman as the new Golf pro for the Ocean Pines Golf Club.Beckelman grew up in Annapolis, Maryland and West Chester, Pennsylvania, and studied aerospace engineering at Penn State University. He’s been a Professional Golfers' Association member for 25 years and has lived on the Eastern Shore for the last 35 years.
Beckelman started his professional golf career at the Ocean Pines Golf Club, first from 1992 to 1997, and then returning from 2000 to 2007.
“I was hired here originally as an assistant under Buddy Sass, and then left to help build the Deer Run Golf Club, and then came back as the head golf professional in Ocean Pines,” he said.
Sunday Football Specials at Clubhouse Grille
Each Sunday, the Clubhouse broadcasts all the 1 p.m. kickoff games on jumbo flatscreen TVs inside the bar and restaurant area, as well as select games outside on the covered patio overlooking the Robert Trent Jones, Sr. championship golf course. The bar and restaurant are also open for 4 p.m. games.Friends, neighbors and family have made it a habit of coming out each week to root for their favorite teams.
“We’re in week three and it’s looking really good so far,” Clubhouse Bar & Grille Manager Judie Scotti said. “On Sundays, everybody is a member when they come in, because it’s members pricing from 12:30 p.m. to close. So, we have drinks, food, giveaways and fun times – you can’t get much better than that!”
OPMGA announces 2022 tournament winners
After nine rounds of play, the 2022 OPMGA double elimination Match Play Championship concluded when Bob Long beat Bill Stafford 4-3 on Sunday, Aug. 21. Stafford defeated Long 1-0 in the eighth round, forcing the final match.The field of 28 players began match play in late May. That number was cut in half after three rounds of play and was then halved again after the fifth round, when only seven players remained.
Long eliminated Dave Hanna in round six, while third-place finishers Darin Stuiber and Larry Perrone defeated Mark Watts and Bob Kessler, respectively. Hanna, Watts and Kessler will share fifth-place prize money.
OP Golf Members’ Council Announces 2022 Scholarships
The scholarship committee of the Golf Members’ Council each year honors students who show an interest in the game of golf and have exemplary academic and extracurricular records. Bob Long, scholarship committee chairperson, said awards are given on behalf of Ocean Pines Golf Club members who support the fund throughout the year.
He said members have raised more than $45,800 for scholarships over the last seven years, including $21,500 during the last two years.
Opening Day Shamble Winners Announced
Ocean Pines Golf Club celebrated the beginning of the spring golf season with its Opening Day Shamble on April 2. The tournament was open to all Ocean Pines residents and Ocean Pines Golf members.
Two-person teams competed in the event, which was played in a shamble format. Both players teed off on each hole, then chose which drive to use, completing the hole with their own ball from that point.Teams were required to use five tee shots from each player.
Two-person teams competed in the event, which was played in a shamble format. Both players teed off on each hole, then chose which drive to use, completing the hole with their own ball from that point.Teams were required to use five tee shots from each player.
Tournament winners included John Ferinde and Kenny Rogers, who walked away with the first-place net prize. Hank Morgan and Bob Moulden were first-place gross winners.
"It was a great turnout for our opening day event," said Ocean Pines PGA General Manager of Golf John Malinowski. "The sun was shining and the wind was a little chilly, but the course was in great shape and ready for the beginning of the season. It was great to see so many men and women residents of Ocean Pines excited about kicking off the new golf season."
