EASTON, Pa. – In an unfortunate trend, weather once again plagued the GALV Lehigh Valley for the third consecutive year. However, unlike the previous two events, this year’s tournament had to be shortened to an 18-hole event after heavy rains made the course unplayable half-way through the second round.

With play reverting back to the tournament’s first round scores it was Mark Sheftic (Merion Golf Club) who came away with the victory in the season’s eighth Omega Player of the Year points event. Sheftic played a near perfect round of golf on Monday at Northampton Country Club posting a tournament best eight birdies against only two bogeys. Sheftic had five birdies and one bogey on the outward nine to make the turn at 4-under. As he played his way back to the clubhouse, Sheftic had three additional birdies and one more bogey to finish at 6-under (66) which in the end was good enough for a two shot victory.

Finishing just behind Sheftic in a tie for second place at 4-under (68) was a trio of players including two Lehigh Valley amateurs. The first of the group to reach 4-under was amateur Carlos Fullerton, who after an early bogey on the par3 4th hole went on to post five birdies to finish just two shots shy of Sheftic’s number. Although Fullerton did not claim the tournament’s overall top spot he did share the amateur division title with Jim Maura. Maura played a flawless round of golf adding four birdies along the way to join Fullerton at 4-under.

Rounding out the group of players at 4-under was PGA Professional Brian Bergstol (Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort). Bergstol carded five birdies, which included a stretch of four in five holes, helping him to overcome a bogey on the par4 12th hole to finish tied for second place.

In the tournaments senior division John Appleget (The Shore Club) took home the top spot after posting a 2-under (70) in the tournament’s opening round. After carding two birdies and two bogeys over his opening nine holes, Appleget made the turn at even par. As he made his way around Northampton’s inward nine, Appleget posted three additional birdies against only one bogey to finish two shots clear of second place finisher John Pillar (Country Club of Woodloch Springs) who finished day one at 1-under (71). Rounding out the podium in the senior division was George Forster (Radnor Valley Country Club) who finished with an even par (72).

Leading the way in the newly formed super senior division was Don DeAngelis (Center Square Golf Club). DeAngelis played a phenomenal round to open the tournament playing bogey-free golf while adding three birdies to finish at 3-under (69).

The Section would like to thank our title sponsor, the Golf Association of Lehigh Valley and Mr. Karl Gilbert as well as the entire staff and membership of Northampton Country Club for their hospitality.

There won’t be much of a break in action as the Philadelphia PGA will resume tournament play on Friday, July 27 for the Doylestown Open held annually at Doylestown Country Club. For complete coverage of the Philadelphia PGA follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

Full Tournament Leaderboard