Bridges GM says golfers in York County Amateur should feel 'no impact' from recent fire
- The Bridges Golf Club near Abbottstown will play host to the York County Amateur this weekend.
- The Bridges recently had a major fire at its maintenance shed.
- The fire destroyed the shed and nearly all of the course's maintenance equipment.
- Despite the fire, the Bridges GM says the course is ready and open for play this weekend.
The general manager at the Bridges Golf Club believes his course will be ready to go for this weekend's York County Amateur Championship.
The course near Abbottstown suffered a major fire early Saturday morning that destroyed a maintenance shed. It also destroyed nearly all of the course's maintenance equipment.
Despite those losses, however, Bridges GM Doug Altland said the players in this weekend's York County Amateur should feel "no impact" from the fire. He said the same goes for daily-fee players at the course.
"Local courses have loaned us equipment and we have also had pieces delivered from Lawn & Golf," Altland said.
That help has allowed club workers to maintain the course's greens, fairways and rough.
"I can't say enough about the hard work and dedication of our grounds crew," Altland said. "No matter what gets thrown their way, they always get through it, and I can't imagine this setback will be any different."
Altland said everything that was lost should be covered by insurance. He also wanted to express his gratitude to everyone who pitched in to help the club in its time of need.
"Thanks to the local courses, businesses and friends of the club for offering their assistance," he said. "It's appreciated."
The York County Amateur, which dates back to 1930, is generally regarded as the premier event of the local golf calendar. Altland believes the par-72 Bridges, which stretches out to just more than 6,700 yards from the championship tees, will provide a proper venue for the area's top golfers.
"I feel like the course is in pretty good shape for the middle of summer," he said.
The field for the York County Amateur is down. That has been a common theme for York County Amateur Golf Association events in recent years, but the problem has become particularly acute this year.
The tee time list on the YCAGA website lists 39 players entered for this weekend's event, which is way down from some previous years, when 75 golfers or more would sign up. Last year's event at Quail Valley had 52 entrants.
Still, most of the familiar contenders are in the field.
Defending champion Ray Sheedy and 2016 champion Matt Henry are entered. Henry is a three-time winner of the event.
Six-time champion Bill Brenner, five-time champion T.J. Ostrom, three-time champion Scott Knouse and 2007 champ Bob Ruby are also expected to compete.
Other possible contenders are Steve Goodley, Bobby Stiffler, Brett Berkheimer, John Lowder Jr., Chris Mescan and Shaun McIntyre, among others. They have all won other YCAGA events in the past, such as the Champion of Champions or Mid-Amateur.
The York County Amateur starts Saturday morning and will conclude Sunday.
OTHER LOCAL
GOLF NOTES:
Baldini wins women's senior event: Anna Baldini fired an 80 on Thursday to win the Women's York County Amateur Golf Association Senior/Super Senior Championship at Out Door Country Club.
Kristie Hamp finished second in the senior division at 81, followed by Louise Gebhart (83), Steph Naymick (85) and Karen Walsh (88).
The net winners were Karen Traynham (64), Ginny Shanabrook (70), Jo Ann Dietz (71), Tracey Knouse (71) and Betty Carson (72).
Nancy Obeck took the super-senior division at 84, followed by Carolyn Karge (85), Nancy Gross (89) and Donna Ensor (95).
Mary Bobst (69) was first in the net super-senior class, followed by Connie Smith (70), Marcia Falke (71) and Kathy Barnhart (71).
Ace at Honey Run: George Flickinger had a hole-in-one at Honey Run Golf Course on Wednesday.
Flickinger used a 5-wood to ace the 171-yard fourth hole.
It was witnessed by Greg Grove, Ron Senft and Jeff Spangler.
Reach Steve Heiser at sheiser@yorkdispatch.com.