NORWICH – On August 6, 7 and 8 the Canasawacta Country Club held its 62nd Member Guest Tournament, despite the pandemic.

The tournament took a number of precautions this year, requiring masks, closing the course to the public and sending out a list of new procedures to be following during the competition.

The club also avoided advertising for the event and was reluctant this week to speak about the results. Owner Tim Carson declined comment but confirmed a list of finalists obtained by the Evening Sun was accurate.

However, before the tournament began Carson sent out an email to members saying, “For the 62nd consecutive year, the staff and management of Canasawacta Country Club welcome both members and their guests to our Member - Guest Tournament. This event carries a tradition of great golf and good times. 2020 has some significant changes to several facets of the tournament. We greatly appreciate the great lengths that so many of you have gone to that will allow us to maintain the integrity of a premiere golf tournament under the current conditions of our world.”

Players reported the event was very spread out and information, other than the final results, was difficult to gather.

COVID-19 requirements meant all the players were never in same place at the same time,, and only those playing against each other were permitted on the course at a time, following social distancing and mask rules.

Saturday’s Aug. 8 scores were higher than average due to new course superintendent Chad Kressler adding a few degrees of difficulty with pin placements, tee positions and green speed, reported participants.

In the Masters’ category, Matt Burrell and Craig Dawnson placed first with a combined total of 200 points after scoring 63, 68, and 69 points in the individual rounds. Bob Branham and Mike Branham placed second with 203 points, and Bob Adsit and Dave Cappadonia placed third with 204 points.

In the Oakmont category, Nick Brunick and Paul Brunick placed first with 208 points after winning the playoff with a sixth hole birdie and scoring 70, 68, and 70 points in the individual rounds. Lee Skillin and Jim Gorski placed second with 208 points. Doug Wilson and Joe Gutosky Jr., placed third with 209 points.

In the Baltusrol category, Mike Hayes and Bryan Boyer placed first with a total of 214 points. The team received 74,71, and 69 points throughout the rounds. Steve Haskins and Daryl Stevens placed second with 217 points. Jose Bennett and Matt Morley placed third with 218 points.

In the Oakland Halls category, Terry Hagenbuch and Ed Holmquist took first with 225 points with the individual rounds breaking down to 74, 77, 74 points. Second place winners were Jeff Johnson and Denny Mirabito with 225 points. Mike Flanagan and Ed Larkin took third with 229 points.

In the Merion category, Peter Somich II and Phil Somich took first place with 232 points. They received 79, 76, and 77 points throughout the individual rounds. Second place winners were Pat Ryan and Jason Ryan with 233 points. Rick Runyon and Ricky Runyon took third with 237 points.

In the Winged Foot category, Lancy Yerton and Steve Bennett took first place with 236 points total, and 70, 85, and 72 points throughout the individual rounds. David Martin and Tom Dixon placed second with 243 points. John Zieno and Dennis O’Brien placed third with 244 points.

In the Olympic category, Mike Somich and Michael Somich placed first with a total of 164 points, and in the individual rounds the team scored 93, 83, 81. Joe Loftus and Gary Wheeler placed second with 170 points. Bruce Beadle and Mike McCormack placed third with 171 points.

Ryan Kelly and Greg Bey were in the hunt shooting 63 on Friday but fell off with 75 Saturday finishing 4th overall.

Low round of the day Saturday, Aug. 8 came out of Oakmont flight, Wilson Gutosky; 68.