Competing in the Washington Lower division of the Maryland State Golf Association A-Team Championship has always been a David vs. Goliath proposition for Kenwood Country Club.
Bringing down the likes of 11-time state champion Columbia or 10-time champ Congressional is a difficult task, even with what David undoubtedly would recommend for the job – a set of Nike Slingshot irons.
But Saturday in the A-Team Round of 32, Kenwood pulled off the upset of the tournament, surprising Congressional, 10.5-7.5.
Linked by their respective River Road addresses in Bethesda, Congressional and Kenwood have little else in common. Congressional is nationally acclaimed, has 36 holes, and is brutally long. Kenwood is recognized locally only and is short and tight.
But Saturday Kenwood, led by pro Kyle Trent and his partner Jon Ochin, was the superior team.
On Sunday Kenwood had another difficult task in pursuit of its first state title since 1936. This time, Kenwood was no match for a young, strong Chevy Chase squad, falling 13-5.
Chevy was propelled by the teams of Malcolm Marshall-Josh Hartman, Tyler Blue-Aubrey Rothrock and Kevin McDonell-Carter Steuart. Each of the two-man teams swept their respective matches, 3-0.
Trent and Ochin earned half of Kenwood’s points, besting Chevy Chase pro Jim Fitzgerald and his partner Brian Fitzgerald.
Other teams advancing included defending champion Breton Bay of Leonardtown, which has not been seriously challenged in three matches so far, and Columbia, which edged Manor, 9.5-8.5, Sunday.
VSGA Northeast A Team: Loudoun Golf and Country Club dominated Piedmont so thoroughly Sunday in the Virginia State Golf Association Northeast Section A-Team Championship that the final three groups at Piedmont decided to quit in the middle of the back nine, realizing that the match was decided. Loudoun defeated Piedmont, 13-5, to claim its first Northeast Section title.
Loudoun was paced by the two-man teams of Jeff Hall-Tommy Harrison and Dayton Slater-Gary Jones. Both pair swept their respective matches, 3-0.
Loudoun pro Glenn McCloskey and partner Terry Riley won 2.5-0.5. The duo also played a big role in Loudoun’s semifinal victory Saturday, 10-8, over Washington Golf and Country Club. Playing on the road, McCloskey and Riley swept their counterparts, 3-0.
