Gacos And Feindt Win Mixed Pinehurst 2nd Time In 3 Years
For the second time in three years, the team of Fran Gacos and John Feindt of Copper Hill shot a 72 and won the NJSGA 50th Mixed Pinehurst Championship, sponsored by TSP Capital Management in Summit, at Panther Valley Golf and Country Club in Allamuchy.
Gacos and Feindt defeated their playing partners Dan Joseph of Mercer Oaks and Noelle Maertz of Hyatt Hills by a single stroke. Steve Bernard of Copper Hill and Maura Ballard of Neshanic Valley were third with a 75.
In 2014, Gacos and Feindt carded a three-under par on their final nine holes for an even-par 72 to win by three strokes at New Jersey National Golf Club in Basking Ridge.
Last year's champions, Brittany Weddell and George Cretella of Due Process Stable, were not on hand to defend their title.
For Gacos, it was her fourth Mixed Pinehurst championship. She won twice with Ken Hardwick of Copper Hill in 2000 and 1992.
In the net division, Mike and Sarah Mulllane (60) of River Vale bettered Meral and Kyle Malady (64) of Rockaway River and Matt and Kathleen Smith (65) of Galloping Hill.
Bill Dahn and Stephanie Moray of Maplewood (79) took the Senior gross title while Gerald Batt of Oak Hill and Kaaron Ross of Greenacres won the Senior net (68, match of cards).
“Our strategy was the same as it was two years ago,” Gacos said.
“It was for me to make the birdies and for Fran to clean up all the two and three footers and she didn’t miss one,” Feindt said. “She made all of the ones that mattered.”
A birdie on the par-4 16th hole was the difference for Gacos and Feindt, who carded three birdies and four bogeys.
Gacos has won NJSGA Women’s Senior Championships in 2013, 2007, ’06 and ‘05 and was runner-up to Sherry Herman in 2008. She has played in 12 USGA Mid-Amateurs.
Feindt is a two-time and defending senior champion at Copper Hill and has won three Kiman Cups at Heron Glen.
