With perfect weather conditions on pristine conditioned Kahkwa Club, 57 golfers set out to earn one of the 31 available spots to compete head to head for the Match Play Title. This was a very strong competitive field with the score of 82 qualifying for match play. Past champion Ed Podufal was the medalist shooting 3 under par 69 followed by Alex Weir’s 70.

First round afternoon matches found veteran Rick Carlotti ending the qualifying medalist Podufal’s tournament and veteran Tom Wedzik taking Alex Weir to the 18th hole losing 1 down. One 1st round match went extra holes, Mercyhurst Laker bound David Nichols was victorious over Mike Garcia on the 19th hole.

Second round matches continued Friday morning where past champion Dave Hewett ended defending champion Sean Scully’s bid to repeat by ending the match on the 17th hole. The afternoon quarter final matches found Alex Weir needing 19 holes to move on over former champ Ted Grassi and Hewett taking former champ Rob “Roto” Nicotra to the 18th hole before bowing out.

The semi matches were both well played matches with Alex Weir taking eventual champ Deimel to the 19th hole where Drew won by making a birdie 3. Mike Wolfe moved on to the finals over Nicotra on the 17th hole. Sunday’s finals found Mike Wolfe having difficulty with the slippery greens at the Kahkwa Club. Wolfe missed very makeable putts on holes #4, #8, and number #14 where his putt lipped out. Drew played practically flawless golf in the finals with his only bogey coming on the 14th hole where Wolfe lipped out for a half. The final match ended on the very difficult 242 yard par 3 15th hole where both players made a 3 and Drew Deimel become the 2018 Match Play Champion.

There two holes in one recorded in this year’s tournament; Doc Podufal using a five iron on #3 and Roto using a 3 wood on the 249 yd. #15 into a stiff breeze. Great shots by both, congratulations!