Mcgovern Bests Dachisen In Playoff For Senior Open Title
Jim McGovern of White Beeches is most likely the most acclaimed head professional in the New Jersey ranks, having spent 20 years on the PGA Tour.
Just four months after turning 50, McGovern won his first senior event, needing three extra holes in the process to defeat former champion Chris Dachisen of North Jersey (2008), in the 36-hole NJSGA/NJPGA Senior Open Championship on Wednesday, May 27, at the 6,556-yard Metuchen Golf and Country Club in Edison, which is celebrating its centennial.
Ron Vannelli of Forsgate, a multiple time champion at Metuchen, took low amateur honors at 73-74-147, tying for fourth overall. Mark Yannotta of Anchor Golf Center, Day 1 co-leader with McGovern and Dachisen, was third at 71-75-146.
Tied for fourth along with Vannelli were Marty Vybihal of Apple Ridge (75-72-147) and Mike Burke of Montammy (74-73-147).
PHOTO GALLERY COMPLETE FINAL SCORING
McGovern and Dachisen, the final twosome of the event, played in a match-play setting nearly the entire way. When McGovern three-putted the par-4 No. 17 hole from 26 feet for a bogey, the players both sat at 1-under par 71-72-143 for the tournament.
Ironically, it would be from almost the exact same spot, 25 feet to the right of the flagstick, from where McGovern would this time drain the putt on the third playoff hole.
“I three-putted it in regulation from the exact same spot when I left it five feet short,” explained McGovern. “In the playoff, I was one foot closer in the same spot. I said just hit it firm and let’s end this thing now.
“I’m 50 now and the club (Metuchen) is 100, and I don’t feel half as bad. 50 is 50 and I can’t complain. I’m still competitive. This event gave me a chance to test myself. This was a good spot for me here. You don’t have to kill the ball. It was really difficult if you don’t have local knowledge,” McGovern added.
Three years ago, McGovern won the NJPGA Head Pro Championship at Metuchen.
“After three-putting 17 in regulation, I made some good putts for par that kept me alive, the 10-footer on 18 and the six-footer on the second playoff hole,” said McGovern. Both of those putts came after blasting out of bunkers.
“Chris played beautifully all day. I couldn’t make putts until the end. The greens are small and undulating. And they have nuances. I’m honored to win this.”
A total of 42 golfers made the cut to return for Wednesday’s final round by shooting 79 or better.
Defending champion Frank Esposito of Brooklake is now playing full time on the PGA Champions Tour.
During McGovern’s 20 years on the PGA Tour including one victory, the 1993 Shell Houston Open.
This year, he again won the New Jersey PGA Head Pro Championship at Alpine and last week qualified for the U.S. Senior Open at Arcola. In 2014, McGovern played in the PGA Championship at Valhalla, earning a berth after a strong finish at the National Club Pro Championship.
Dachisen’s best opportunity to win came on the second playoff hole, the par-4 No. 1 hole. He needed to sink a 10-foot birdie putt from the right side, but it slid by to the left.
“I had that putt from the other side, and it did what I wanted it to do. It just didn’t make it to the hole,” Dachisen said. “I’m pretty proud of myself. I made some nice birdie putts. Jim made a nice putt on the last hole. What are you going to do?”
“I haven’t played good in two years and held up well under the gun. I’m pretty happy with the way things have been going the past three weeks,” Dachisen stated.
Dachisen, 58, won this event, which began in 1989, in 2008. He has won two State Opens, three Senior PGA titles (2009-11), The Nissan Open, the Dodge Open, the NJPGA Section Championship, and two NJPGA Players Championships.
Vannelli, 67, is a 19-time former club champion at Metuchen. He won the New York City Senior Amateur this past weekend and has played on 17 NJSGA Compher Cup teams. He won the Met Am in 2005.
