Radley Run’s Melton Wins 33rd Burlington Classic Pro-Am presented by Beneficial Bank
33rd Burlington Classic Leaderboard
presented by Beneficial Bank
Westampton, N.J. – The second and final round of the 33rd Burlington Classic Pro-Am presented by Beneficial Bank was played on Monday, June 4 at Burlington Country Club. After the opening round Pro-Am, all PGA Professionals and the top three amateur participants returned to complete their 36-hole stroke play tournament.
“The Burlington Classic is a great celebration of the club, its membership and the PGA Professionals of the Philadelphia Section”, said John Hanuscin, Burlington Classic Tournament Chairman.
The second round got underway at 8:40 am with the tournament leaders George Forster (Radnor Valley Country Club), Brett Melton (Radley Run Country Club), and Rich Steinmetz (Spring Ford Country Club) playing in the event’s final pairing at 1:00 pm. With each player posting an opening round 2-under (68) the tournament was sure to provide some fireworks for the gallery of Burlington CC members gathered to watch the action.
Although there were several players within striking distance of the leaders as the tournament progressed, it became a four man race among the overnight leaders and Andrew Turner (Sunnybrook Golf Club). Playing in the second to last group, Turner made his way around the course posting three birdies and four bogeys en route to a 36-hole score of even par (140). While the score would not be good enough for a first place finish it did give Turner a spot in the top three.
Sharing the overnight lead meant Steinmetz knew exactly what was in front of him as he played his second round. After a few early bogeys Steinmetz recovered with three birdies in a four hole stretch to get himself to 3-under for the tournament after the fourteenth hole. However after a double bogey and bogey on holes 15 & 16 respectively, Steinmetz would drop back to even par for the tournament, which is where he finished for a share of third place with Turner.
Both Melton and Forster made the turn with scores of 1-over still sharing the lead as they played the back nine of Burlington Country Club. Forster jumped out to a two shot lead with birdies on holes 10 and 13 but a bogey on the par-4 15th would bring Forster back within striking distance.
With two holes left to play, Melton knew he had to make a move to catch Forster who was still holding a one shot lead. After a great drive, Melton only had 108 yards left to the green. As he grabbed his wedge, he hoped to hit it close and make birdie to join Forster at 2-under. Melton did more than hit it close, he put it in the bottom of the cup. Melton’s eagle vaulted him into the lead as the group headed to the 18th hole. After each player found the fairway off the tee, both found the green in regulation. However, neither was able to convert their birdie putt and settled for par meaning Melton held on to his one shot lead and was crowned the 33rd Burlington Classic Pro-Am presented by Beneficial Bank champion.
“First and foremost I want to thank Mike Mack and the entire staff at Burlington Country Club”, said Melton. “They did a great job getting the course ready for us to play and with the weather we had it was in great shape. As for the tournament I just tried to stay as patient as possible. I knew I needed to do something over the last couple of holes and to hole out for eagle was a bonus. It’s an honor to join the list of winners to have won this event in the past.”
However all was not lost for Forster as his 2-under (138) was good enough for three shot win over second place finisher Dave Quinn (Philmont Country Club) who finished at 1-over (141). Rounding out the top three in the senior division was Greg Farrow (Deerwood Country Club) was posted a two-day total of 4-over (144).
Forster also took the top spot in the tournament’s super-senior division which is open to Philadelphia PGA Professionals aged 60 or older.
Congratulations to amateur Eric Sulock who was awarded the Marotto Medal as the tournament’s low amateur after a posting a two-day total of 18-over (158). The Marotto Medal is named in memory of longtime Burlington Country Club member Ron Marotto, who was instrumental in starting the Burlington Classic Pro-Am presented by Beneficial Bank.
The Section would like to thank the membership and staff of Burlington Country Club, title sponsor Beneficial Bank, as well as tournament sponsors Adidas golf, Jani-King and TruMark Financial. The next event on the Philadelphia PGA tournament calendar is the Jack Jolly / Golf Pride Championship at Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia.
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