By Frank Rizzo
CALLICOON — August 31, 2001 – Last Thursday at the Villa Roma Sean Semenetz demonstrated what a cruel game golf can be.
The 15-year-old from Jeffersonville was competing in the Catskill Junior Tour’s premier event, the Frankie and Johnny’s Junior Championship, and he sizzled on the par-35 front nine.
Semenetz sank three birdies and an eagle on the eighth hole to card a 31. And he was teeing off from the black, or longest, tees
Was he thinking about the course record?
“Definitely, I knew what it was,” said Semenetz, referring to the 65 mark held by Villa Roma members Ken Cohen and Charlie Johnston.
Well, his luck started to change after the turn, when he triple-bogeyed the 10th hole, and he ultimately barely escaped with a win over 15-17 division rival Sammy Lane of Cuddebackville, 79 to 80.
Semenetz had enjoyed a seven-stroke lead over Lane after nine holes before shooting 12-over on the back nine.
“A 31, that’s something to remember,” said Tom DuPlessis, CJT President.
DuPlessis thought the golf gods were on his side that afternoon, since it seemed to rain everywhere else but held off at the Villa.
Frankie and Johnny’s was the tournament that began the CJT Tour back in 1993 and it still remains the one where CJT members need to qualify for.
Fifty-seven golfers participated and DuPlessis related that Villa Roma pro Matt Kleiner thought the number was perfect.
Kristen Stoddard of Liberty continued her domination of the girls’ 15-17 division with a seven-stroke win over Aileen Semenetz of Jeffersonville, 83-90.
“Aileen had her best round,” said DuPlessis. “I’m sure she’s had lower scores at the Villa, but it was her best performance in the Catskill Junior Tour.”
DuPlessis said that the Tour is drawing golfers from a wider area now.
Case in point was Scott Wheeler of Hopewell Junction, who beat out John Singh of Grahamsville in a playoff to win the boys’ 12-14 division after both carded 87s.
It was Wheeler’s third playoff, but first win in extra holes.
“We’re going to shoot to have it at the Villa again next year,” DuPlessis said of the Frankie and Johnny’s Junior Championship.
Results, with all ties broken by a match of cards:
Girls 15-17 (18 Holes)
Kristen Stoddard, Liberty 83; Aileen Semenetz, Jeffersonville 90; Meghan Kelley, Central Valley 100; Margaret Norden, Callicoon 101.
Boys 15-17 (18 Holes)
Sean Semenetz, Jeffersonville 79; Sammy Lane, Cuddebackville 80; Doug Novogrodsky, Woodridge 83; Eric Hildenbrand, Cottekill 86; R.J. Martucci, Middletown 88; Ryan Reville, Middletown 88; Mark Sabbagh, Goshen, 88; Henry Bosch, Highland Lake 90; Jeff Garfield, Monticello 92; Byron Hildenbrand, Cottekill 93; Joe Zwickl, Chester 96; Victor Ebert, Pine Bush 96.
Boys 12-14 (18 Holes)
Scott Wheeler, Hopewell Junction 87; John Singh, Grahamsville 87; Ben Kleiner, Callicoon 88; Tyler Coates, Pine Bush 89; Robbie Marks, New Paltz, 90; Patrick Breslin, Warwick 90; Kevin Sabbagh, Goshen 91; Jimmy Hillaire, Fishkill 91; Jeff Smith, Warwick 93; Nick Schiavo, Warwick 97; Andrew Goyzueta, Florida 97; Chris Connell, Newburgh 105; Stephen Miller, Hopewell Junction 105; Joseph Schirrman, Pine Bush 106; Kevin McGuire, Slate Hill 107; Matthew T. Lee, Pine Bush 112; Sam Lunham, Pine Bush 127.
Girls 9-11 (9 Holes)
Kaitlin Sabbagh, Goshen 76; Melanie Kleiner, Callicoon 77; Kristen Niemann, Youngsville 80.
Boys 9-11 (9 Holes)
Douglas Kleeschulte, Kingston 49; Nick Urso, Lake Worth, Fl. 49; David McDonald, Grahamsville 53; Jonathan Cross, Tappan 55; Joe Barron, Chittenango 56; Justin Armstrong, Livingston Manor 57; Michael Dunnigan, Liberty 58; Brendan Sabbagh, Goshen 61; Nicky Vallone, Roscoe 63; Sean Cooper, Montgomery 73; Artie Norden, Callicoon 80.
Girls 7-8 (7 Holes)
Chelsea Smith, Warwick 74.
Boys 7-8 (7 Holes)
Andrew Kleeschulte, Kingston 46; Stephen Smith, Swan Lake 56; Gregory Swarthout, Grahamsville 59; Alexander Urso, Lake Worth, Fl. 79.