The Lynn Gannon Golf Course 22 Club held its first annual two days Ryder Cup Tournament with a USA team against a Europe team. Competition involved a Four Ball match at Gannon Golf Course on day one while the second day was played at Kelley’s Green in Nahant with an Individual format.
There was a lot of fine play from both sides on day one. John Lombard won his match giving the Europe team a two point lead. American teammates, Frank Haskell and Jim McDonald, came from behind to overtake Fred Campatelli and Rick Comfort to win the match.
Other matches on day one included Jim Dill and 89 year old Ray Vanasse as they held onto a one up victory over Ken Grady and Bart Conlon. Match four had Frank Pietrini carding two birdies and his partner, Bert Conlon, edging out Jim Dakin and Dave Lenihan on the last hole to capture the match. Rick Bickford and Earl Cook of the USA team had a resounding win over Paul Toner and Jay Richards. In the final match, Patrick Gecoya and Norm Erlich, breezed past Tom Dill and Ron Bergeron to give the USA team a lead of a 4 ½ to 1 ½ spread.
Day two was played at Kelley’s Green in Nahant – a tough course with hardly any room for error. The first match involved Tom Fabrizio and Fred Campatelli; they halved their match. USA player, Jim McDonald, scored a 37 to defeat Gary Conn. John Lombard birdied the last hole to sneak by USA Doug Anderson. Frank Haskell came from one down after six holes to win the last three holes defeating Europe’s player, Rick Comfort. European player, Ken Grady, defeated Jim Dill for a one up rally. Frank Pietrini topped Jim Dakin pushing the USA team up with an 8-4 lead. Other matches involved Ray Vanasse of the USA team who skirted past Dave Lenihan while Bert Conlon defeated Bart Conlon. Europe’s Tom Dill and Jay Richards tried to make it interesting by winning their respective matches over Rick Bickford and Patrick Gecoya while USA Team members, Earl Cook and Norm Erlich, defeated Paul Toner and Ron Bergeron.
The American team won by a 12-6 margin against the European Team. Organizing this tournament was Rick Comfort, Bert Conlon, and John Lombard. Terrific competition and great sportsmanship was enjoyed by the Gannon Golf Course 22 Club.