Arcola C.C. Wins Hoffman Cup In First Finals Appearance

Arcola Country Club made a memorable debut in the 2015 Red Hoffman Cup Finals, cruising to a solid four-shot win over defending champ Black Oak Golf Club and two-time HCM winner Baltusrol Golf Club, while coming in seven strokes clear of Plainfield Country Club.

Arcola’s 209 total featured a splendid 68 by Al Costello / Trevor Randolph, played on a beautifully prepared but surprisingly feisty par-70 Morris County Golf Club track.

The HCM Finals follow a four-ball, medal play format among the four clubs left standing of the 32 that started match play in late April.

Before tee time, everyone seemed to expect a tight medal competition. Arcola added some excellent new players in the offseason. Black Oak was itching for a HCM three-peat. And Baltusrol had clearly pulled together quite likely its strongest team ever.

The possibility of a tie loomed large when the first four scores turned in were three 70s and a 71. But Arcola’s depth was the difference that helped them pull away from the field. Arcola’s 70 from Ryan Chin / Mike O’Connell and a 71 from Ryan Fountaine / George Cultraro, Jr. kept them in the event. Then, Costello and Randolph turned in their 68 to seal the deal.

Common wisdom would say that ideal weather and less than 6,600 yards of pristine MCGC turf should yield low scores, especially in a field that included a dozen of the area’s very best players. Yesterday, MCGC offered up only two sub-par rounds – Black Oak’s Patrick Bosworth and Todd Peluso reprised their 2014 medalist role by matching the Costello / Randolph 68.

Baltusrol and Black Oak were both loaded with horses. Baltusrol’s national-level competitor Roger Hoit teamed with Dan Feeney, turning in one of those early 70’s. Black Oak founder David Glenz, whose decade(+) as MCGC’s head pro included an eye-popping home course-record 61, teamed with Black Oak captain and former two-time State Open champ Brian Komline for a 71.

Plainfield finished fourth at 216, paced by Scott Paris and Brett Rosely’s 70, in Plainfield’s first trip back to the Finals in several years. There’s little doubt they’ll be back again soon.

More detailed HCM results can be found at www.Hoffmancup.org

The Red Hoffman Cup Matches were created to foster interaction and friendly competition among northern New Jersey golf clubs. Now in their eleventh year, these matches have been named in honor of Arthur K. “Red” Hoffman, the legendary New Jersey golf writer. The event features a no-handicap competition that effectively identifies the strongest cohort of players in one club in Northern New Jersey.

Arcola has conclusively earned that distinction for 2015!