Larry Wolfe
After finishing the regular Winter Season with a 13-5 record, the A-1 Golf Carts team, managed by Dave Kratz, rolled to victory in the season-ending tournament, winning all three of their contests. Here’s how the tournament unfolded:
In the opening game, the second-seeded First Response Roofing team, managed by Tom Erpelding, edged the Core Consulting squad, managed by Larry Maggard, by a 20-19 score. The Consultants came from behind to tie the game in the top of the 7th, but the Roofers’ Dennis LePore knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the inning. Bill McCoy, Dave Martin, and Jerry Smith had four hits each for the Roofers, while Rene Vallieres and Jim Entwistle led the Consultants with five and four hits, respectively. Jay Yoakum homered.
The spunky fourth-seeded Young Realty Team, managed by Gary Hillabolt, almost upset top-ranked A-1 in the second contest, but the Golfers prevailed 10-9 in a real nail-biter. Dan Malachuk led the winners with three safeties.
A-1 came back on the second day of the tourney and blew away the Roofers 26-14. Dan Malachuk again led the way to victory with four hits, while Jerry Smith also had four hits in the losing cause.
The Young Home Team eliminated the Core Consultants 21-11 in the fourth game. In a well-balanced attack, four players had four hits each for the Realtors (Sam Giordano, John Robinson, Jerry Smith, and Mike Willits). Don Scoggins had four singles for the Consultants.
On the final day of the tournament, the Young Home Team upset the First Response Roofers 17-15 to advance to the finals. Joe Commisto, John Robinson, and Mike Wolfe led the way to victory with four hits each, while Bill McCoy had four for the Roofers and Bill Jacobson homered.
In the championship game, the A-1 Golfers ended the dream for the upstart Young Home Team, outlasting them by a 20-14 score. Player-manager Kratz led his team to victory with four hits, while Charlie Alley, Super Joe Commisto, and Tom Erpelding all had four for the losing squad.
For the total tournament, Jerry Smith led in total hits (20), singles (16), and doubles (4). Garnet Hammer had two triples, while Bob Montelione had two inside-the-park homers, and Bill Jacobson and Jay Yoakum cleared the fences. Don Scoggins went a perfect 8 for 8 in limited action, while Dave Kratz (9 for 10) and Dan Malachuk (10 for 11) were almost perfect.
A special thank you goes out to Robson Reserve Sun Lakes for providing snacks and soft drinks for all the players and fans during the tournament’s opening day.