It’s no surprise graduates of Georgetown Prep and Landon are contending in the 55th Bubby Worsham Memorial. But it’s probably not who you think.
Patrick Sherry (Landon) and Thomas Shapiro (Prep) were solid players on their respective high school teams, but overshadowed by talented teammates. This morning at Glenn Dale Golf Club in Glenn Dale, Md., both will be gunning for their first Washington Metropolitan Golf Association title — and a measure of long-awaited recognition.
Sherry (72-68 – 140), a smooth-swinging left-hander who plays at Georgetown University, has a 1-stroke lead over Shapiro (69-72 – 141), a rising sophomore at Dickinson College. Joining them in the final group is recent Gaithersburg High graduate Steve Delmar (69-72 – 141).
“I had the No. 2 scoring average (at Prep) in my senior year, but I was terrible in the IACs and Metros,” said Shapiro, explaining his relative anonymity.
While Shapiro played second fiddle to teammates such as Greg Carlin, Kevin Vollmer and Trevor Matese, Sherry did the same at Landon, behind Mike Perlmutter and Chris O’Neill.
“I don’t think I was overshadowed,” said Sherry. “I played well in the Metros, but never did anything in the IACs. I hated that course (Shenandoah Valley).”
Sherry jumped into the lead yesterday, making three consecutive birdies — all on putts inside five feet — on the front nine. On the back he made nine pars.
Today Sherry will also have to contend with defending champion Perlmutter (74-68 – 142), who rallied from a 7-stroke deficit to win last year.
They’ll be vying for a title named after Worsham, a former Washington-area junior standout who roomed with Arnold Palmer at Wake Forest, before he was killed in a car accident. Palmer helped establish the tournament and won the inaugural event in 1951.
“Yeah, it would be big — your name on the trophy with Arnold Palmer,” said Sherry. “How many people can say that?”
LEADERBOARD
1. Patrick Sherry (Brookeville) 72-68 – 140
2. Steven Delmar (Gaithersburg) 69-72 – 141
2. Thomas Shapiro (Chevy Chase) 69-72 -141
4. Joe Alvarez (Laytonsville) 72-70 – 142
4. Mike Perlmutter (Rockville) 74-68 – 142
6. Devin Kay (Bethesda) 74-69 – 143
7. Federico Lopez (Bethesda) 73-72 – 145
7. Joseph Kim (Bethesda) 73-72 – 145
9. Chris Hass (Chevy Chase) 77-70 – 147
10. Quinn Hunsinger (Potomac) 77-71 – 148
