Cusic claims Southern Maryland Amateur golf title

Wins by one stroke over Vallandingham, two over Winegardner

Sunday afternoon marked the final round of the 40th annual Southern Maryland Amateur Invitational Golf Tournament at Breton Bay Golf and Country Club in Leonardtown and the various division winners were able to overcome their rivals in addition to the gradually rising temperatures.

Those golfers who ventured out for the opening round on Friday morning were greeted with temperatures in the upper 60s and eventually reached the low 80s. But Sunday morning those same golfers encountered temperatures that began in the mid 70s and nearly reached 90, which added a different degree of to the occasion.

When the final group reached the 18th tee, Mark Cusic and Tracy Vallandingham were tied for first at 9-under par and Charlie Winegardner was only one stroke back. There was a slight possibility that all three could end the 54-hole tournament in a three-way tie and forced to play on to settle the outcome. But one member of the trio was not about to return to another tee box.

Cusic (207), was the only member of the trio to par the long par5 and emerged with a one stroke victory over Vallandingham and two shots better than Winegardner, both of which settled for bogeys. intensity

In one sense, Cusic won the tournament courtesy of his bookend efforts on the final round, making a birdie on No. 1 and par on No. 18, while Vallandingham double-bogeyed the first hole and then bogeyed the last one.

“It was great to be in the last group and really have things come down to the last hole,” Cusic said. “I started the day with a birdie on No. 1 and then my mindset was to play down the middle and hope to birdie No. 18, but I would have been content with par. I made five birdies and had just one bogey on Sunday and I only had three bogeys the whole tournament.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Vallandingham disappointment was immediately defused by his cheering section and longtime friendship with the opponent who edged him for the title.

“My drive killed me on the first hole on Sunday and it cost me on the last hole,” Vallandingham said. “I got a little too aggressive off the tee and sent my drive well left. From there I was scrambling to make par, but I should have taken a lesser club off the tee and just played to reach the green in three strokes instead of trying to get there in two.”

Cusic and Vallandingham have played in the Southern Maryland Amateur tournament for nearly 20 years, roughly one-half of its existence. Vallandingham was quick to commend his longtime friendly rival with the victory and enjoyed his compact cheering section.

“Me and Mark have been playing in that tournament for about 17 years now,” Vallandingham said. “But that was the first time that I was in the final group. It was a lot of fun. I’m glad for Mark. He played great all three days. My wife and kids were there cheering me on, so it was a good way to spend part of my Father’s Day.”

Pete DeTemple easily won the Senior portion of the tournament with a 13-under par 203, finishing 13 shots better than runner-up Tom Winegardner (216), while Rusty Hall (225) checked in third. DeTemple is seeking to build on his local success and attain greater acclaim next weekend when he heads to Colorado for the U.S. Senior Open.

“I played really well all three rounds and it gave me a lot of confidence,” DeTemple said. “I’m flying to Colorado on Sunday to compete in the U.S. Senior Open. It’s always been a dream of mine to play well out there. The competition is going to be really tough, but I’m looking forward to going out there.”

Guy White (221) won the Super Senior portion of the event, one shot better than Bob Stark (222). Martin Dennis (193) easily won the Super Senior Net division, seven shots better than Billy Cusic (200). Ryan Sohne (260) took home the title as junior champion.