When the Washington area’s top juniors, most raised on elite private courses, make their annual trek to Glenn Dale Golf Club to compete in the Bubby Worsham Memorial, many turn their nose up on the heavily-played public course.
But Jay Mulieri, a member at Avenel, has a special affection for the Prince George’s County course. He grew up playing Glenn Dale and has sweet memories, especially the last two years.
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Firing an even-par 70 in the final round Wednesday, Mulieri won the Bubby Worsham by one stroke, becoming just the fourth repeat winner in the tournament’s 58-year history.
So after he was handed the trophy again in the Washington Metropolitan Golf Association event, Mulieri insisted on saying a few words. Acknowledging that many gripe about Glenn Dale’s less-than-pristine conditions, Mulieri politely pointed out that he likes the course and appreciated the efforts of the staff and tournament officials.
“I’m very comfortable on this course,” said Mulieri, 19. “This is where I first learned to play golf, so I know it very, very well. Being in this position in the same tournament helped me a lot this year.”
In defeating last year’s runner-up Charlie Winegardner of Lothian and Brendan Kelly of Annapolis by a stroke each, Mulieri (67-70-70 — 207) played a solid final round that included two birdies, two bogeys and the rest pars.
After Kelly made a 10-foot putt for birdie on No. 17, he trailed Mulieri by a stroke. At No. 18, a birdie opportunity as a 462-yard par 5, both players drove into the right rough, Mulieri’s ball coming to rest under trees and alongside a hazard.
After Mulieri punched an iron to within wedge range, Kelly, a sophomore at Villanova, did the same from a poor, downhill lie.
When Kelly missed his 20-foot downhill putt for birdie, all Mulieri needed to do to clinch was two-putt from 5 feet.
It was a third straight day of solid ball striking for Mulieri, who, at the urging of Chevy Chase teaching pro Jim Fitzgerald, has weakened his grip in an effort to develop more consistency, making the switch, ironically, after winning last month’s Maryland Amateur.
“This is the first big tournament I’ve played since we made the change,” said Mulieri. “It’s a pretty big change. I’m trying to get the club more open at the top. It was nice to see it could hold up under pressure.”
