DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – With the calendar reading the last Friday in July that could only mean one thing, the Doylestown Open is here. The one-day stroke-play tournament is held annually at Doylestown Country Club. The event served as the ninth event in the race for the Omega Player of the Year presented by the Haverford Trust Company.

Playing early in the day, and fresh off f his victory at the Philadelphia Open, Billy Stewart (The ACE Club) posted a number for everyone to chase. Stewart did not get off to the start he wanted with a bogey and a double bogey on his front nine although two birdies helped Stewart to make the turn at 1-over. However, as Stewart made his way back to the clubhouse, his round began to take shape. Stewart played bogey-free while posting three birdies and an eagle to play his inward nine at 5-under bringing his 18-hole score to 4-under (68).

With weather threatening the area throughout the day the tournament faced its first delay which lasted a little over an hour. Unfortunately, that was not the last weather delay of the day.

As players resumed their rounds after the first weather delay it was Rich Steinmetz (Spring Ford Country Club) who was able to get things going in the right direction. Steinmetz paired two birdies and two bogeys on his outward nine to make the turn at even par. However, like Stewart, Steinmetz got his round going on his back nine. Steinmetz made four birdies, including one on the 18^th hole, to finish his round at 4-under (68) joining Stewart at the top of the leaderboard.

With all but one group finished the horns blew again as a line of severe storms approached the area. After waiting more than an hour the decision was made to call the event. Because the entire field was not able to finish their rounds the Section’s “75%” rule went into effect meaning the players who finished their rounds would be awarded prize money but no player of the year points would be posted.

Because the tournament was unable to be completed, Stewart and Steinmetz were declared co-champions of the 2018 Doylestown Open. Finishing just behind the champions at 3-under (69) was another pair of players, Michael Tobiason (Deerfield Golf Club) and Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range) both ended tied for third.

Although Ingraham came up just one shot shy in the main tournament he did manage to take home the top spot in the tournament’s senior division. Ingraham’s 3-under (69) was good enough for a two shot victory over second place finisher John DiMarco (Laurel Creek Country Club) who carded a 1-under (70). Finishing in third place in the senior division was Gary Hardin (Northampton Country Club) who posted a 1-over (73).

Taking home the tournament’s low amateur spot was Doylestown Country Club member Russel Hartung who finished with a 1-over (73) after carding birdies on his final two holes.

The Section would like to thank the membership and staff of Doylestown Country Club for their support of this event.

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