Local couple big winners at tourney

FRANKLIN — It is no surprise that the Crystal Springs Golf Resort’s Brews & Birdies Golf Tournament has become one of the most popular events on the summer calendar.
Golf, 200 choices of beer, food and music is an irresistible combination that draws visitors to the Resort from all over the Metropolitan New York area.
One couple, an Athletic Director named Bill and his wife Sarah traveled from Delaware. They had been given a Father’s Day weekend gift enjoy the Brews & Birdies and Foodfest. Another husband and wife competed in the tournament had come from England as the guest of a friend who lived in the Crystal Springs Community.
Following the tournament and while enjoying the food and drink at the Foodfest they said “We can’t wait until tomorrow to play New Jersey’s #1 Public Golf Course the Ballyowen Golf Club”.
However it was not golfers from Delaware or England that had the greatest success in this tournament. It was a local team from neighboring Hardyston, who walked away with the most prizes.
The Brews & Birdies Golf Tournament was played on the beautiful Wild Turkey Golf Course and featured at two golfer Team Scramble format in which each golfer hits their ball. Each team then selects the best of the two shots and plays that ball. This process is continued through the completion of each hole and for the 18 hole event. Each member of the team had their course GHIN handicap applied to their team score. Prizes were awarded to the 3 teams who were able to achieve the lowest gross and net (after handicap) scores. Prizes were also awarded for the golfers who were able to hit their tee shots closest to the pin on four designated holes, and for the woman and man who could hit the longest drive in the competition.
The husband and wife team of “Burner Bob” (Bob is the owner of Burner Bob Heating & Air Conditioning) and Dona Wallerius who are members of the Crystal Springs Golf Resort enjoyed the day. Playing with local friends Buffy and John Whiting, Buffy Whiting hit her tee shot on the par 3 hole #2 within 7 feet of the cup with the thought that might be closest enough for a prize. But not to be out done, friend Dona hit her tee shot 6’2” from the pin to take closest to the pin honors on the hole.
The Ladies Longest Drive competition was held on the next Wild Turkey hole, the par 5 hole No. 3. Dona was not done taking prizes. She hit her tee shot tight to the left rough on the fairway and for a moment it was thought her shot might not count because it was not in the fairway. However when the foursome arrived at her ball it was discovered that it had gone well beyond the rough and ended up in the fairway resulting in an excellent tee shot. Indeed it was good enough to win the prize for Ladies Longest Drive. Two golf holes and two prizes — not bad.
Other winners in the 2018 Brews & Birdies Tournament included the top Low Net team of Steve Madden and Gerard Cole in first place, Rich McDine and Derek Combs in second place and the Wallerius Team third place winner. Gene Smith and Stephen Kosik took top honors in the Low Gross category with Colin Twigg and Ray Lahey taking second and Roger Young and Steve Roglieri finishing in third.
Other Closest to the Pin winners were Mark Bush, Dean Lothrop, Lee Rywalt and John Walsh. The Men’s Long Drive winner was Dean Lothrop.
— Story and photos courtesy John Whiting