KUMIA MAKES A SPLASH AT FOX HOLLOW!

Overnight rain continued into Sunday morning in Branchburg, leaving the Weekenders staring at wet fairways, rain gear and the sort of conditions that make every golfer suddenly very interested in the cart-path rules.

Overnight rain continued into Sunday morning in Branchburg, leaving the Weekenders staring at wet fairways, rain gear and the sort of conditions that make every golfer suddenly very interested in the cart-path rules.

But once play got underway, the reports from the course were surprisingly good. Fox Hollow handled the water well, and the 18-hole Hal C. Purdy-designed layout gave the field every opportunity to post a number. Fox Hollow is a par 70 known for an unusual feature: six par 3s, putting an added premium on iron play and keeping trouble close at hand throughout the round.

Chris Kumia didn’t seem particularly bothered by any of it.

Kumia posted a net 70, even par, and turned what could have been a crowded leaderboard into a four-shot victory. Joe Kepic and Mike Pettigrew finished tied for second at +4, with Jeff Matvienko another shot back at +5.

And Kumia did more than win the handicap competition. He also posted the low gross round of the day with a 79, while his 38 on the back nine was the best closing nine in the field. He tied Jae Kim with a round-high nine pars and joined Kim and Charlie Padilla for the day’s best three-hole finish, playing Nos. 16-18 in 13 strokes.

That’s a fairly comprehensive way to win a golf tournament.

The rest of the statistical board told the story of a course that still had plenty of teeth despite surviving the rain. Hole 13, a par 4, was the day’s monster, playing to a 6.1 average, more than two strokes over par. Hole 8 provided some mercy as the easiest hole, averaging 4.3.

There were highlights elsewhere. Mike Pettigrew led the field with three birdies, while Jae Kim made the day’s biggest turn, improving from a 44 on the front to a 40 on the back.

For Kumia, though, the bigger story is what the victory means.

It’s his second win of the season, and because he had already earned his place in the year-end Players Championship, Sunday’s victory eliminates another qualifying berth from the remaining schedule. With fewer opportunities left, the pressure on everyone still chasing a spot just went up another notch.

Playoff Golf: Champions Go Down

The regular tournament was only half the story at Fox Hollow.

In the Doubles Match Play semifinals, Jae Kim and Jon Schiavo defeated defending champions Frank Garcia and Rico Pasamba, 2 & 1, ending Garcia and Pasamba’s bid to repeat and sending Kim and Schiavo through to the championship match.

The Singles bracket featured only one playoff match Sunday, but apparently Kumia hadn’t done enough damage already.

Chris Kumia defeated Charlie Padilla, 6 & 4, putting an exclamation point on a day in which Kumia won the low-net tournament, posted the day’s low gross, and advanced in the Singles playoffs.

Wet socks. Two victories. Could be worse.

Sunday at Fox Hollow was one of those mornings where you look outside and wonder whether we’re playing golf or testing waterproof clothing.

Fortunately, Fox Hollow came through. Despite the overnight rain continuing into the morning, everyone I spoke with said the course held up remarkably well. Thanks to everyone who showed up, dealt with the conditions and got the round in.

Congratulations to Chris Kumia on an outstanding day. A net even-par 70 and a four-shot victory would have been enough, but Chris also posted the low gross round and then won his Singles playoff match 6 & 4. That’s his second tournament victory this season and another well-earned win.

Congratulations as well to Jae Kim and Jon Schiavo, who knocked off last year’s Doubles champions, Frank Garcia and Rico Pasamba, 2 & 1, to advance to the Doubles Championship. Defending a title in match play is never easy, and Jae and Jon earned their way through a tough semifinal.

We’re reaching the point of the season where every result has consequences.

Chris had already qualified for the Players Championship, so his second victory means one fewer qualifying spot remains available through our regular events. If you’re still trying to punch your ticket, the opportunities are disappearing quickly.

The Singles playoffs continue this Sunday at High Bridge Hills, and we’re getting closer to determining who will be playing for the championships.

Registration closes Tuesday, September 15. Get yourself registered and we’ll see everyone at High Bridge Hills.