By Fred Stabbert III
CALLICOON — Well, it won’t be the same, but Sean Semenetz will try his best to become the first golfer to ever win three Sullivan County Democrat Golf Tourney championships in a row.
Why won’t it be the same? Because Sean’s partner in the past two Democrat titles has been former Sullivan West classmate Joe Winski, who is currently fulfilling a college internship requirement in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
The 27th Annual Democrat Two-Man Better Ball Tourney will be held August 1-3 at the Villa Roma Country Club in Callicoon.
Unfortunately, Winski won’t return home until mid-August.
“I’m going to miss the tournament,” Winski said last week. “I miss just playing golf, I didn’t even bring my sticks out.”
Winski is working on a radio telemetry project in Custer State Park, just 15 miles south of Mount Rushmore. It is a requirement for his Wildlife Management Degree from SUNY Cobleskill.
But he will still be rooting for his partner, even from 2,000 miles away.
“There’s a good chance he’ll win three in a row,” Winski said. “He’s on a great run. I’m going to be calling him every night.”
Sean will team up with brother Gregg Jr., which will be a tough team for anyone to beat.
In fact, a Semenetz has been in the winner’s circle for five of the past seven Democrat tournaments – not bad by anyone’s standards.
The rest of the field
While 40 teams have already signed up – leaving just 16 spots left – there are some noticeable names missing.
Can Ken Cohen find a partner to help him regain his golden touch? The winningest golfer in Democrat history may have a tough time winning his ninth title, but he will certainly give it his all.
Also missing from this year’s field, so far, are three-time runners-up Ben and Maxx Kleiner. This duo has played great golf the past three years only to lose on the final hole twice, and once on the first hole of sudden death.
Will they try and win in 2008? Only time will tell.