Indiana Harbor
Athletic & Recreation Association

IAA Golf Championships September 21, 2002 The Course at Aberdeen | 2002 Individual Results |

VECHEY EDGES KATSINAS IN PLAYOFF
Captures IAA GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS CROWN

Other Flight Winners include Acevez, Thomas, Sahulicik, Heintzman, Kross, Misch, Potesta-Sajdyk, Wolf, and Sapyta

The Course at Aberdeen hosted the 2002 IAA Golf Championships September 21st on a perfect autumn day. The course, one of northwest Indiana's finest, proved to be a true test as none of the 82 players managed to break 80 on the par 72 6,800 yard track softened by back to back days of immense rain.

Dale Vechey added another championship to his trophy case as he was able to defeat the defending champion Frank Katsinas on a scorecard playoff after both fired 80's. Due to the length of the round, darkness forced the championship to be decided by going back on the scorecard to the #1 handicap hole, which Vechey birdied to Katsinas' par. Mike Kraushaar, Chet Patterson, Melvin White, and Bob DiCianni shared third with disappointing 83's.

The "A" flight was dominated by Pete Acevez who fired an 80. According to Acevez' playing partner Greg Kolisz, "Pete should have been 73 or 74, he played great until the final couple holes when it started to get dark, and the effects of his playing partners began to materialize." Tom Wolf's 83 garnered second while Jerry Pinkowski closed strong to finish third with an 85.

The "B" flight was a dogfight between Ellis Thomas, Leon Williams, Walter Brooks, and Bob Hinch.Thomas and Williams, playing together, battled throughout the day, with both finally shooting 89's. Momentum seemed to be on Williams side as he eliminated a 3-shot deficit on the final four holes to force a playoff. However, darkness and Thomas prevailed. Thomas' title was secured on the #2 handicap 16th, the second playoff hole, with a par. Hinch and Brooks both fired 91's to share third, edging last years champion Jimmie Harris (92), who's repeat title hopes vanished quickly with a 50 on the opening nine.

The ladies competition was all Lisa Misch. Her solid 89 easily outdistanced tournament favorite Rose Ceparich (102) and 2001 Champion Jan Orlich (109) to claim her first title. The Ladies "B" flight was won by Nori Potesta-Sajdyk with a 116 for the second her consecutive title. Nori topped last year's "C" flight champion Dory Brown and Nancy Turnball.

Other Men's flight winners were Bob Sahulcik ("C" Flight) with an 89, Greg Heintzman ("D" Flight) with an 88, and Chuck Kross ("E" Flight) with a 104. Tom Wolf was crowned Senior "A" champion with his 83, edging Melvin White and Chet Patterson, while Jim Sapyta was named Senior "B" champion with his 95, defeating Bruce Bell in the tie-breaker.

Shots of the tournament were recorded by Melvin White and Bruce Bell. White holed out from 125 yards for an eagle 2 on the par 4 second, while, Bell's 6-iron on the 170 yard par 3 11th, came to rest on the lip of the cup for a near ace. Playing partners Ellis Thomas, Leon Williams, and Mark Woodke were stunned that it failed to fall in the cup. Frank Katsinas won the set of irons and golf bag.

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