WPGA Defeats NOGA in Interstate Challenge Cup

Front Row - Mike Van Sickle, Mike McGuire, Bill Baloh, Rich Mottura, Jim Sullivan, Jr, David Brown
Back Row - Frank Fairman, Robert Rohanna, Harvin Groft, John Benson, Sean Knapp, David DeNezza

The WPGA team defeated the Northern Ohio Golf Association team in the 14th Interstate Challenge Cup held at Stonewater Golf Club in Cleveland, Ohio on May 24, 2007 by the final score of 42 1/2 to 11 1/2 points. The matches which feature 12 players from each association including 4 seniors were played under perfect weather over the difficult 7000+ yard course. The WPGA now leads the series 13-0 with one tie.

The morning featured 6 four-ball matches with the WPGA taking a 12 1/2 - 5 1/2 point lead. Each match is played in the Nassau format with one point awarded for the front 9, back 9 and overall matches. 1/2 point is awarded to each time for a tie. The WPGA swept the first three matches and NOGA swept the fourth. The two senior matches were split more evenly with the WPGA prevailing in one and NOGA in the other.

The afternoon session consisted of 12 singles matches. Once again the WPGA started quickly sweeping the first four matches 3-0. After two other sweeps and victories in 10 of the twelve singles matches along with two ties the match was not in doubt for long.

Overall the day was enjoyed by all the players and staff of the associations. The final result is less important than the camaraderie that is the key to the event.

Morning Four-Ball Matches

WPGA Points NOGA

Dave Brown /Harvin Groft 3 - 0 Monty Guest / Jim Mehallis

Frank Fairman / Robert Rohanna 3 - 0 Doug Hauenstein / Larry Lahnan

Mike Van Sickle / Sean Knapp 3 - 0 Brian Sparrow /Lou Elbert

Jim Sullivan Jr. / Rich Mottura 0 - 3 Saumil Jhaveri / Mark Telerico

Dave DeNezza / Mike McGuire 2 ½ - ½ Paul Fissel /Jeff Knox

John Benson / Bill Baloh 1 – 2 Larry McCall /Mike Crider

Morning Total 12 ½ - 5 ½

Afternoon Singles Matches

WPGA Points NOGA

Frank Fairman 3 – 0 Monty Guest

Robert Rohanna 3 – 0 Jim Mehallis

Dave Brown 3 – 0 Doug Hauenstein

Harvin Groft 3 – 0 Larry Lahnan

Rich Mottura 1 ½ - 1 ½ Lou Elbert

Jim Sullivan Jr 2 ½ - ½ Brian Sparrow

Sean Knapp 2 ½ - ½ Saumil Jhaveri

Mike Van Sickle 1 ½ - 1 ½ Mark Telerico

Dave DeNezza 3 – 0 Paul Fissel

Mike McGuire 3 – 0 Jeff Knox

John Benson 2 – 1 Mike Crider

Bill Baloh 2 – 1 Larry McCall

Afternoon Total 30 – 6

Total 42 ½ - 11 ½