Junior Golf Competition is off to a flying start

By tim morris


JERRY WOLKOWITZ Chuck and Gina DiLeo, of Manalapan, watch as their sons Vincent, 12, Patrick, 9, and Johnny, 4, practice their golf swings at Knob Hill Golf Course in Manalapan on Friday. The DiLeos operate the Junior Golf Competition Association of New Jersey. JERRY WOLKOWITZ Chuck and Gina DiLeo, of Manalapan, watch as their sons Vincent, 12, Patrick, 9, and Johnny, 4, practice their golf swings at Knob Hill Golf Course in Manalapan on Friday. The DiLeos operate the Junior Golf Competition Association of New Jersey.

There’s something to be said for competition in any sport.

Charles and Gina DiLeo learned that when their 12-year-old son Vincent informed them that all that he and his brothers, 9-year-old Patrick and 4-year-old John, ever did was play practice rounds of golf. They never competed in golf tournaments.

When the DiLeos, who live and play golf at Knob Hill in Manalapan (Charles is an avid golfer who has won club championships at Glenwood Country Club), realized that there were only two or three Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) sanctioned events for their children’s age group each year, they decided to do something about it.

They created a Junior Golf Competition with the idea of giving junior golfers a tournament each week throughout the summer.

After going through all the paperwork required to incorporate, the DiLeos turned to the golf courses in Monmouth and Middlesex counties to see if they could get the venues for their tournaments. They were told it wouldn’t be easy.

"When the golf courses heard that the tournaments were for kids, they were eager to help out," said DiLeo.

That put the Junior Golf Competition Association of New Jersey in gear and it made its debut on June 26 at the Twinbrooks Golf Course in Neptune.

"There was an overwhelming re-sponse," noted DiLeo. "A lot of golfers and their parents showed up."

The junior tournaments are played over nine holes in four age groups: 8-year-olds, 9-10-year-olds, 11-13-year-olds, and 14-17-year-olds. Those children ages 8-13 must be accompanied by a parent or an adult.

The initial foray into junior tournaments was a success in more ways than one for the DiLeos as Patrick DiLeo won the 9-10-year-old division, carding a 39. He won by five strokes over runner-up Ryan Harvey (44), with Zachary Gross coming in third (45).

Chuck Anttonen won the 11-12-year-old division with a 31, one stroke better than Robert Gross (32). Third place went to Jonathan Abramson (40).

In the 14-17-year-old division, Ronny Simpson, Pat Politan and Greg Martz Jr. all shot 34s. In the two-hole playoff for first, Simpson prevailed. Second place went to Politan and Martz was third.

DiLeo credited the Tiger Woods frenzy with increasing the number of young golfers participating in the sport.

"Vincent told us that Tiger Woods’ book inspired him," she said.

The next stop on the summer circuit is tomorrow in Jackson at the Pine Barrens Golf Club. Tee-off is 3 p.m.

The remainder of the schedule is as follows: Tuesday, Knob Hill Country Club, Manalapan (3 p.m.); July 20, Peddie Golf Course, Hightstown (8 a.m.); July 27, Battleground Country Club, Manalapan (10 a.m.); Aug. 3, Cranbury Golf Course, West Windsor (2 p.m.); Aug. 15, Eagle Ridge Golf Course, Lakewood (2 p.m.); Aug. 21, Glenwood Country Club, Old Bridge (12 p.m.); and Aug. 24, Woodlake Country Club, Lakewood (1 p.m.).

The championship finals will be on Aug. 31 at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe (1 p.m.).

Golfers must have participated in four events during the summer to be eligible.

With this year’s competition off to a great start, the DiLeos are already looking ahead to next year with the goal of expanding it throughout the state and perhaps creating regional tournaments.

For more information on the 2000 Junior Golf Competition call (732) 446-7777.