NORWICH – With the course in great condition and greens so soft, players could fire right at the pins, Tom Muserilli was able to capture the open gross Canasawacta Country Club Championship Sunday, August 18 – the second of his tenure as a member of the course.
Muserilli opened up the third and final round of the championship with a seven stroke lead over Bob Branham.
“Tom felt great and was comfortable heading into the final round,” said Canasawacta Country Club General Manager Tim Carson. “I, along with many others, felt confident he could win it with the lead he had.”
That was until Carson caught up with the leaders at the tenth hole and found out how the front-nine started.
Having 18 holes to make up even shots and catch Muserilli, Branham shot a 3-under par through the first nine holes of the round. His opponent fired a 3-over score, putting him just one stoke back.
“I said to myself, ‘Here we go,’” said Carson.
Moving on to the 13th hole, a par-5 on the back nine of the course, the two were still separated by the one stroke.
Muserilli took a nice, easy approach and scored a two-putt birdie to go up two strokes at the time with Branham still needing to finish the hole.
Branham, who had been hitting the ball to about 10-15 feet of the cup all day, hit a shot about 15 feet away on the back side of the green. Seeing his line, he needed to roll the ball down on a very gentle break to score a birdie.
Handling the pressure, Branham used the right tempo and picked the line perfectly to make the putt and remain one stoke back of Muserilli.
Heading to 16, Branham set himself up with the a great chance to even the score with the current leader as he hit the ball within three feet while Muserilli faced a 20-foot bender birdie putt.
As he was further away, Muserilli went first. He dropped his in the cup for the two-stroke advantage. Branham missed his.
“It could have gone the other way and evened up,” said Carson. “After the round already being exciting, that would have just put the icing on the cake.”
The two had just the 17th and 18th holes left, giving Branham a chance to pull something off if Muserilli went of his path.
The long par-3 17th saw Muserilli make a 25-footer while Branham once again missed a short putt, making up the final difference between the two.
“Branham was just having a hard time making putts,” Carson said. “Bob chased him down and made it interesting, but just couldn’t come away with it.”
“Both Tom and Bob are great players,” continued Carson. “It was fun to have the competition we had on the course Saturday and Sunday.”
Winning the Open Net division was Dennis Rifanburg, stealing the title over Shane Trask and Spencer McCredy by one stroke and win his first ever Club Championship. McCredy’s score gave him the Senior Net Club Championship.
“It was good win for Dennis as he has been knocking on the door as he has been playing some good golf of late,” said Carson. “He has had his struggles as he has competed in most of the things we have. He was able to get over the hump and I’m happy for him.”
Carson said that McCredy set himself up for a great first round, turning in a opening round 63 (-8) to lead after the first day. “Spencer has also faced his struggles this season but I believe his first was the best he has had all year.”
Mark DeMellier’s first championship came Sunday afternoon with his win in the Senior Gross Division, coming in ahead of Tim Mirabito. “Of all the things Mark has won, living behind Bob Branham, it was tough to take this one in the past. He’s very happy to win his first with the senior gross championship.”
Taking the Super Senior Club title was Jim Wysor, turning in a two round total of 141 or 1-under par.
Note: A gross score is figured without a handicap, while net is factoring in the player’s handicap. The open allows anyone to play. The senior division is 55 and above while the super senior is 70 and above.