Sussex Academy golf team wins Henlopen Conference Championship; Cape in third

Led by Sara Lydic, her sister Hannah, and Sawyer Brockstedt, Sussex Academy swept to victory in the 2021 Henlopen Conference golf championship, held May 26 at Wild Quail Golf & Country Club near Camden.


The Lydic sisters finished the 18-hole tournament in a tie for first place with one-under-par 71s, and Brockstedt came in third with a one-over-par 73. Sara then defeated her older sister with a birdie on the first hole of the playoff to win the individual championship.

“My putt was on exactly the same line I had when I played the hole the first time,” Sara said.

As for her round in general, the individual champion and current Sussex Academy ninth-grader credited her short game. “I could get up and down a lot today, which was good because my putter wasn’t great. I put a lot of shots close and was chipping well. On the [par 4] seventh hole, my second shot finished inches from the hole,” Lydic said.

Adison Browne completed the team scoring for the academy with a fine 84.

The Caesar Rodney team came in second among the 12 participating high schools, with the Cape Henlopen Vikings finishing in third place.

Quinn McCullough and Seth Reynolds tied for best performance among the Vikings with their 92s. Using conference tiebreaker rules, McCullough also earned a 15th-place medal.

Tom Burn scored a 95 and Ethan Mercer finished with a 96 to complete the Cape scoring. Dylan Baker and Chris Williams also played for the team in their first 18-hole scholastic competition and were steady.

Reynolds’ 92 was his best performance of 2021 by far, and he credited his tee shots. “I got the driver working right from the start, and it helped a lot,” he said. He also played the challenging par 4 seventh hole as a routine par, with a 4-iron to the fairway and a wedge into the green for a two-putt finish. A quadruple bogey on the 14th hole marred an otherwise fine back nine for his day.

Mercer accepted his score but didn’t have to like it – and he didn’t. “I started strong and had a really weak finish,” he said. “I was 3-over through 5, and holes 6 though 9 were a disaster. I spent the rest of the day trying to make up for them.”

Viking head coach Robert Harrod said, “I thought it was a great day for Cape golf. I was excited by the personal bests scored by several golfers, including Seth, Dylan and Chris. It was also great to see them come together as a team and applaud each other as they finished.”

The state championship set for Monday-Tuesday, June 1-2 at Maple Dale Country Club in Dover will complete the 2021 scholastic season.

6th Annual Par 3 golf fundraiser supports Cape Region Scout troops

Cape Region Scout Troops 2540 and 1105 are once again the beneficiaries of the Sixth Annual Par 3 Fundraiser at Midway Par 3, set for Friday, June 4.

According to Golf Committee Co-Chair Paige Fitzgerald, “This troop really has bent over backward to do some great stuff for the kids through the pandemic.” Tournament proceeds will offset expenses for camping and field trips, equipment and summer camp.

The popular event begins with a shotgun start, with up to five players per team in a scramble format. The $35 per player fee includes hot dogs, hamburgers and snacks, as well as club rentals for the player-friendly layout. Golfer prizes and a silent auction will also be part of the fun.

Playing spots and sponsorship opportunities are still available. To sign up or for more information, contact Fitzgerald at paigefitz722 @gmail.com or 302-542-4979, or Co-Chair Jean Hendershott-Lee at boatsgunner2010@gmail.com or 302-856-6278.

A correction

In last week’s column I mistakenly listed Kings Creek Country Club among the Delaware golf courses for which GolfLogix.com offers one of its Green Books. I regret the error and hope the company soon creates this resource for local avid golfers.

Local club competition results

The Rehoboth Beach Country Club ladies played a team Criss Cross Best Ball game May 26. Barbara Collins, Dale Lipnick, Bailey Scheurer, and Sally Fogarty won first-place gross, while JoJo Barrows, Roberta Amendola, Beth Forbes, and Pat Beebe won first-place net.

Cyndy Simeone, Peggy Roca, Marcy Saliba, and Sheila Halfpenny took second net, and Lora Drewer, Gina Bergin, Kerry Lockwood, and Julie Burton finished third net.

The Mulligan’s Pointe Ladies played a team 6/6/6 game May 25. Six holes are played alternate shot, six as best ball of partners, and six as a scramble.

Brenda Lewis and Debby Quinn won first place, with Tammy Findlay and Cathy Cosgrove in second. Karen Feuchtenberger and Kathy Hudak finished third.

The Kings Creek Ladies 9- and 18-hole groups combined for a shamble format tournament May 21.

Jeannine Doane, Linda Outlaw, Sandy Neverett, and blind draw Carolyn Orwein won the event, with Diane Sweeney, Lesley Corydon, Kathy Casey, and Deb Hinderer taking second.

Gale DiBona, Barbara Weissenberger, Carolyn Ortwein, and Beth Cohen came in third, with Erin Reid, Susan Garson, Tina Brown, and blind draw Stephanie Roash finishing fourth.