Club Championship – A Brief History

Posted on August 3, 2018 by chesgolf in Tournaments

Each year, Cecil County’s best golfers tee it up to claim supremacy. And each year, a champion is crowned. As we wait to crown a new (or familiar) champion Sunday afternoon, let’s look back at the history of the championship.

Chesapeake Bay Golf Club
Club Championship History 1969-2017

This weekend will mark the 49^th Club Championship held at Chesapeake Bay Golf Club / Chantilly Manor. The course has seen many champions come and go over the years, from its first champion Phil Groff in 1969 to our reigning club champion Austin Barbin. Each year, Cecil County’s best golfers tee it up to claim supremacy. And each year, a champion is crowned. As we wait to crown a new (or familiar) champion Sunday afternoon, let’s look back at the history of the championship.

1969-1979:

Phil Groff wins 4 titles, including the first and second inaugural tournaments in ’69 and ’70. His other two came in ’73 and ’77. Jim Debusk, who would go onto win 8 times, wins his first two in ’74 and ’78. Mark Smith would win twice as well in this span in 1976 and 1979. The other winners were Al Coppage (’71), Dave Corzillius (’72), and Jim Parrot (’75). These were also the only championships these three men would win.

1980-1989:

The 80s were dominated by three men: Jim Debusk, Wayne Calvert, and Dave Smith. Debusk would win his third (1980), fourth (1987), and fifth (1988) championships during this time. Dave Smith wins his two titles in ’82 and in ’86. Wayne Calvert would go on to win all three of his titles in ’84, ’85, and ’89. Arnie Calvert would win his first of two titles in 1981. The 1982 championship went to Davis Sezna.

1990-1999 (Chantilly Manor):

Guy Coldiron wins the 1990 championship, and then Tom Borsello would go onto win the ’91 and ’92 championships. O.J. Juhl would win the following two championships in ’93 and ’94. The following two championships would go to Jim Debusk in ’95 and ’96, his sixth and seventh career titles. Brian Lockhart would win 2/3 titles back-to-back in ’97 and ’98, making him the fourth consecutive back-to-back champion.

Jim Debusk would go on to win Chantilly Manor’s final club championship as Chantilly Manor, making it his 8^th overall title in 1999.

1994-2000 (Chesapeake Bay Golf Club):

At this time, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club was only the North East facility. They held their first club championship in 1994, that was won by Ed O’Rourke on the men’s side and Fran Schreiber on the women’s side. Ed O’Rourke would win his second title the following year in 1995, and Suki Kegley would win her first out of four that year as well.

In 1996, Rob Hogan would win his only title whereas Pat Kilby would win her first of three consecutive titles from 1996-1998. Chris Chapman would win the ’97 and ’98 titles on the men’s side. Bob Pinkerton would win his only club championship in 1999, as would Darlene Montgomery win her only championship this year.

The final year where the club championship would only be held at North East, 2000, would be won by Bobby Webb and Claire Powell.

2001-2008 (North East + Rising Sun):

Chantilly Manor is bought out by the same management company as Chesapeake Bay Golf Club and renamed “Chesapeake Bay Golf Club at Rising Sun”. The club championship at this time would then be held at both the North East and Rising Sun Courses, alternating between a 36 and 72 hole event. Brian Lockhart, who won his first 2 titles at Chantilly Manor, would win the first championship during the merger era. Joan Martin would win her first of 3 this year as well.

2002 was the year of the Martins, as Chuckie Martin would win his first of 3 titles this year and his mother Joan would go back-to-back. 2003 saw Mike Chambers win his first title, as would see Arlene Zamora win her first of eight titles. In 2004. Chuckie Martin reclaimed his title, and Arlene Zamora would defend it.

Mike Chambers took his title back in 2005, but this would be the last time Chambers and Martin would alternate championships. Arlene would go on to win her 3^rd straight title. 2006 was an interesting year, as Arnie Calvert, who won back in 1981 in Chantilly Manor would win his second title 25 years after his first – a club record for longest period between titles. Joan would win her third championship this year as well.

2007 saw two first time winners, with Terry Hansrote winning the men’s side and Edie Hasnauer winning the woman’s side. In 2008, Barney Crawford won his only title, and Arlene Zamora would go onto win her 4^th championship in 6 years.

2009-2017:

Youth have dominated this time period, with all but one men’s champion under the age of 24. David Lynch would win three straight titles – a Men’s record – in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Arlene Zamora would win her 5^th and 6^th titles in 2009 and 2010. Her 6 championships in 8 years is a record we may never see beaten. Suki Kegley would win her second title and the first since 1995 in 2011. In 2012, Chuckie Martin would go onto win his 3^rd title and Arlene Zamora would win her seventh championship in ten years. Alex Healy would win the 2013 championship, narrowly keeping Chuckie Martin from his 4^th title. Susan Eichler would win her first championship this year as well.

In 2014, the youngest club champion was crowned with 13-year-old Austin Barbin taking the title, beating his two older brothers in dramatic fashion with his -5 under par back 9. Suki Kegley would go onto win her 3^rd title this year as well. 2015 would be the final club championship held at North East, and it was memorable to say the least! Zach Barbin set the North East club championship record with his round of 68 en route to his dominating finish and first title. Suki Kegley would win her 4^th title this year.

In 2016, Austin Barbin shot a 9-hole record 30 on the first 9 holes of the Club Championship, setting the tone for what would be his second championship in 3 years. Shelley Pinkerton would win her first title, 17 years after her husband Bob won his title. The Pinkertons became the only husband/wife combination to win the club championship. 2017 was a dramatic battle between Austin and Zach Barbin, with Zach shooting a 67 on the first day and Austin shooting a 69. On Sunday, Austin birdied the last hole to shoot another 69 for a course record -4 under championship total. Zach shot 72 but had an eagle putt on the last hole to force a playoff but just came short and Austin won his third title in 4 years at the age of 16. Arlene Zamora shot 75 – 70 to win her first title since 2012, ending her 5-year hiatus from golf and claiming her 8^th title.