MGA April Update

STATracker Update

Wednesday, FEB. 26 2025

                      ***SEASON 5 SET TO OPEN***

           ~NEW SEASON FEATURES PLAYOFFS EXPANSION AND A NEW PRESIDENT~

   STATracker’s fifth season at HPGC is set to open this coming Monday, March 3rd, and with it comes some new additions as the program continues to evolve.  This year, the season opens on a Monday so the first round of the season will be a Bald Eagles team event.  The season will conclude on Friday, October 31, 2025.  So both the opening week and the final week will be the full 3-round weeks.

   At the end of last season, members of the MGA elected STAN KOONCE as the new president for the next 2 years.

Mr. Koonce is well known not only for his stellar golf play but also for his leadership qualities.  We welcome him!!

   As in 2024, participating players will be able to gain STATracker points for their achievements not only in the Monday-Wed-Friday rounds each week from March 3 to October 31, but also in 4 events sponsored by the HPGC itself.  These 4 additional events will be played on weekend dates with 1 of the 4 new events being a 2-day tournament.  The 4 tournament STATracker opporturnity events are as follows… the Member-Member on April 27, the HPGC Club Championship on June 28 & 29, the HPGC Match Play Championship which will begin in July this year and wrap up sometime in mid-October and finally, the Member-Guest on October 18.

   The big news about these 4 events is that players will earn their usual points for birdies, holeouts. sandies, etc., that they achieve during these rounds plus big points for finishing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the tourney. Then, on top of that, extra points will be awarded for each achievement during the tournament.  This construct becomes a “won’t-want-to-miss” chance for the STATracker race for the Harbour Cup.  Points earned during these tournaments are awarded in both the Combined standings and the Tournaments Standings.  In this way, players who opt to play only in MGA events on Wednesdays and these weekend tourneys, will still have a great chance of gaining a spot in the coveted end of the season STATracker Playoffs Championship.  More on this will be delved into at the upcoming general meeting.  In addition to all this going on,  Harbour Pointe will host this year’s NEW BERN CUP, as the defending champions.!! This will be a landmark event for the club to host this presitigious tournament!!

   …And now for STATracker Central’s season preview…

  The 2024 season concluded last November with the STATracker PLAYOFFS being won by the Winners Circle champion and Player of the Year, TIM WELCH.  Mr. Welch had quite a season last year and many will be watching what his encore will be for 2025.  STAN KOONCE comes into the 2025 season defending his back-to-back Harbour Cup titles with record-setting numbers in each season.  Nothing much seems to have changed for Mr. Koonce and he is once again the odds-on favorite to 3-peat as the Harbour Cup champion. The “Comet” has amassed 4,652 points in the first 4 seasons of STATracker at HPGC… including a staggering 1670 points last season alone.  Koonce is still seeking his first major title.  Maybe it’ll be this year.

   The player with the 2nd highest All-time point total is MARK CARMICHAEL with 4,509 points.  Now, in the case of Carmichael, he remains the only player to ever surpass 1000 points in every season he has played.  The two-time major winner still remains a serious contender.  Two seasons ago DAVE FAHRMEIER burst onto the STATracker scene.  He took Rookie-of-the-Year honors in his first season but then really ramped things up in 2024 taking the Tournaments Champion title in only his second year.  The “Fireman” scored 1283 points in 2024.  That was the third highest points total for a season, All-time.  STATracker Central feels he is poised for another fantastic season.  Another former “rookie…” last season’s Rookie-of-the-Year, BRIAN HARRINGTON, is set to up his participation in the eight month-long season this year.  He has shown to be a formidable player having been a part of the New Bern Cup team for HPGC, winning last year’s major The Broad Creek OPEN, as a rookie and nearly going the distance in the HPGC Match-Play Championship. Harrington is going to cause a stir in the standings.

   STATracker’s only GRAND Slam Champion, BOB REIVIK, also returns to the lineup.  The 3-time major winner just missed playing in the featured foursome in the playoffs after finishing 5th in the Combined standings… his best finish in his career.  He’s ready for another go at it.  FRANK AIUTO garnered his first career major win in 2024 when he won a spot in The MGA championship.  Aiuto had his best season ever last year as he finished 7th in the Combined Standings and 4th in the Tournaments Standings… all while being only a “part-time” player as he had only 36 starts in 2024.  He will still have to be dealt with when he’s in the field.

   Other notables… JOE PILLOW, the field’s most stalwart and steadiest of players, AND… one of the original 4 founders of the proceedings here at the HPGC, has shown no deterioration in his game.  In fact, Pillow snared 2 eagles last year one of which was a Hole-in-One!!  STATracker’s first ever Playoffs Champion, Pillow has been in the featured foursome come playoff time, in 3 of the last 4 seasons.  The Bald Eagles director will still be hovering high above the field again in 2025.

   Re-entering the field in 2025, is former 2022 STATracker Playoffs Champion, DAVID ROSS.  Now Mr. Ross brings some serious game each time he steps into a round.  It’s great to see him back in the field.  In fact, he re-joined very late last season, so not enough time to make an impact but… many here around the STATracker Central offices feel he is going to make a huge dent into this new season.  He is very capable of winning one or more of this year’s majors.  Its time to keep an eye out for the big Sooner from Oklahoma.

   MARK NOLAN, the three-time major winner, remains a question mark as he makes his way back from surgery.  We do so hope to see him back in the field sometime soon.  We all wish him the very best.

   As for the rest of us, its going to be another great and fun season with plenty of enjoyable golf rounds ahead here at HPGC.  The most notable change for the 2025 season will actually come at the end of the season.  Beginning with the 2025 season, the STATracker Playoffs will be changing from a one round affair to a 2 round event to determine the champion.  After a long grueling season, those that get that invitation to the Playoffs, will have to keep it together for two days in order to hoist the Playoffs trophy.  It’s going to be grand!!

Sunday, March 9, 2025

 ***FIRST WEEK of SEASON COMPLETED***

           ~KOONCE DARTS TO TOP ~WOLFE GETS I-WIN ~WELCH WINS IN DEBUT~

   The first week of the STATracker 2025 completed its play this past Friday as Week-1 featured the full compliment of all 3 rounds as Opening Day fell on a Monday this year.  The first week had two Bald Eagles team events and on Wednesday it was the MGA’s individual playdate round.

   In that MGA round it was STAN KOONCE gaining the victory in the “A” flight while RICK WOLFE took the top spot in the “B” flight.  So both men grabbed their first I-wins of the season at that first opportunity to do so, on Wednesday.  Both players won by commanding margins.

   The winners of the Bald Eagles team events on Monday and Friday included the team of MARK CARMICHAEL, Stan Koonce and C.A. SMITH, winning by 7 strokes on Opening Day… no surprise there as those top players steamrolled to that victory.  In Friday’s round, it was last season's Winners Circle Champion TIM WELCH leading his team to 5-stroke victory in Welch’s debut round for 2025.  He played with KEITH SWAN, the first-ever Winners Circle champ, TOM CARUSO and the Freight Train, ED EDMUNDSON.  Welch was on top of his game in his first round of the season appropriately beginning the defense of his title.

   AND… speaking of quick starts… DAVE FAHRMEIER got off to a quick one as after the first 2 rounds of the season as he had possession of first place in the standings when he racked up 42 points in his first two rounds of the season scoring 3 birdies and 3 sandies on Monday and Wednesday (11-31-0).  However, after a cold start in Monday’s round, the defending Harbour CUP champ Stan Koonce re-ignited the Comet as he piled up 57 points in his next two rounds (3-32-22) to officially own first place in the standings at the completion of the first week of play.  In fact, Koonce got things going on Wednesday scoring 4 birdies in his round.  So he continues his consecutive weeks in first place going back to last season.

   After a very satisfying round, KEITH SWAN finds himself in 2nd place in the standings just 9 points behind Koonce after that team win on Friday along with snaring both CTPs that were up for grabs and registering a double sandy round.  Swan did well in both team events (19-0-27).

   Elsewhere… distinguished MGA founder C.A. SMITH had an outstanding start to the 2025 season.

On Monday, Smith was part of that winning team on Opening Day.  He had a CTP and a holeout for a total of 20 points on the day.  In addition, the 85 year old beat his age shooting  a sharp 84.  Smith came back on Wednesday to place second in the MGA playdate round.

   Here are some takeaways from Week-1 by the STATracker Central offices…

It was great to see 2023 HPGC Match-Play champion JOHNNY HARRELL play in all three rounds in opening week as his participation in Week-1 was questionable in the days leading up to the season opener.  Not only that, he scored 45 points for the week (12-18-15) and that has him in 3rd place in the standings after Week-1.  Stan Koonce shows no signs of falling off despite still wrestling with hand issues.  Keith Swan has shown some real consistency in Week-1 that could give him a banner season.

Defending STATracker Playoffs champ Tim Welch looks like he’ll be someone to deal with as his play continues to make great strides.

Sunday, March 16, 2025

           ***THREE WINS FOR MULHALL***

    ~KOONCE HITS 100 ~HARRELL WINS TWICE ~WOLFE, FURMAN WIN TOURNEY~

   Week number 2 of this young STATracker-5 season wrapped up this past Friday with a rarity.  For only the 3rd time in STATracker history has any player won each of the rounds in an official week.

SEAN MULHALL completed that feat last week when he helped his team on Monday, along with Dave Fahrmeier and Johnny Harrell, win the rain-shortened round. Then, in the season’s first MGA tournament, the Frostbite OPEN, along with teammates Rick Wolfe and Jim Furman, put together a resounding victory there.  Finally, on Friday, Mulhall along with teammates GUS VILLANOVA and Johnny Harrell, clawed to yet another win.  For Mulhall, the 2-time major winner and only double hole-in-one season ever, it was his first time achieving that accomplishment.  Mullhall has been to the Winners Circle 35 times in his STATracker career with 5 individual wins and 35 team wins.  WAYNE BEDENBAUGH achieved a 3-win week last season while MARK CARMICHAEL did it once back in 2021.

   Speaking of JOHNNY HARRELL, the 2023 HPGC Match-Play champion was with Mulhall on 2 of those wins last week as Harrell did well in both of the Bald Eagles rounds.  Harrell has had a strong start to this 2025 season with a 19 point week in Week-2 (6-x-13) giving him 64 points so far in the Combined standings and a #3 ranking.  Harrell, only in his 3rd STATracker season, has been to the Winners Circle 25 times in his young career with 5 individual wins and 20 team wins.

   This past Wednesday saw the MGA’s first Tournament of the season, the Frostbite OPEN, unfold.

RICK WOLFE along with teammates Sean Mulhall and former Masters champ JIM FURMAN, rolled to their victory.  For Wolfe, it was the 2nd week in a row for this very good player, achieving a win.  Wolfe got an individual win (I-win) in last week’s MGA playdate and with this team win this week, Wolfe and Stan Koonce sit atop the Winners Circle standings, early on, with 3 points each.  Mr. Wolfe has taken the early top spot in the Tournaments standings.  He is a player who can get it done in a tournament setting.

   Now STAN KOONCE has already hit the 100 points mark in the Combined standings as of this past Friday.  While it is not a record, he has opened up an early 34 point lead on DAVE FAHRMEIER

Fahrmeier gave chase to Koonce in the standings for nearly the whole season last year.  Koonce had his 2nd multiple birdie round of the season in Friday’s Bald Eagles round as he scored 43 points for the week (x-18-25).

   Other top point-getters for Week-2 were Gus Villanova with 33 (x-15-18), Mark Carmichael with 32 (3-19-10), C.A. Smith with 25 (x-20-5), Dave Fahrmeier with 24 (3-18-3).

   And Legends of HPGC golfer GUS VILLANOVA beat his age (83) with a gross score of 79! 

Villanova had the team win on Friday along with a holeout.

Sunday, March 23, 2025

           ***WOLFE, KOONCE WIN AGAIN***

           ~KOONCE WINS TWICE ~MASTERS MONTH JUST AROUND THE CORNER~

   Week number 3 of this young 2025 STATracker season completed only 2 of its 3 scheduled rounds due to a rainout on Monday.  This past week began with the MGA’s individual playdate round on Wednesday.  It was like deja-vu all over again.  Just as in Week-1 of this season, it was STAN KOONCE and RICK WOLFE claiming individual victories (I-wins) in their repective flights.  Besides that, Koonce won again on Friday in the Bald Eagles team event, to close out the week with two more trips to the Winners Circle.  Koonce has a one point lead over Wolfe in that Winners Circle competition.  Both of Koonce’s rounds featured multiple birdie rounds with holeouts in each game.

   And… speaking of deja-vu… the talk around the water cooler here at STATracker Central is, is this going to be 2024 all over again??!!  What, with Koonce opening up a 79 point lead in the Combined standings after two strong rounds in Week-3 (x-26-37) and DAVE FAHRMEIER trying to keep pace with the Comet?  The question is, how much stronger is Koonce’s game going to get??

Well… all that remains to be seen.

   Other outstanding performances last week were turned in by WAYNE BEDENBAUGH, who had a strong showing in the MGA playdate round scoring 26 points.  The former upstate New Yorker grabbed the runner-up spot while getting a bird, swiping 2 of the 5 CTPs that day and nailing a holeout.  DAVID ROSS, the 2022 STATracker Playoffs champ, got 24 points on Wednesday getting 3rd place in the “A-flight” along with 3 birdies and a holeout.  We’ll be watching to see how Ross could shake things up this season, however for now, it appears he’s only playing in the Wednesday rounds.  It’ll be interesting to see how he fares in the upcoming MGA March Chiller tourney this Wednesday.

   A quick look at the Combined standings shows MARK CARMICHAEL in the #3 spot after 3 weeks of play.  He had 22 points last week with the lion’s share of points coming on Wednesday on the back of a 2nd place finish in the playdate along with a birdie, a CTP and a sandy.  The 2-time Harbour Cup champ continues to stay in a high spot in the standings (x-20-2).

   Finally, with STATracker’s MASTERs Month just about a week away, it was 2022 Masters champ JIM FURMAN had a strong week as he piled up 28 points in his two rounds in Week-3 (x-15-13).

Furman nailed a holeout on Wednesday and then on Friday, he was part of the winning team as well as scoring a sandy.  That win was Furman’s 60th trip to the Winners Circle in his career.  That ranks him 3rd on the All-Time Winners Circle list of champions.  The 2024 Broad Creek OPEN champ BRIAN HARRINGTON, had a double sandy round in Friday’s game.  Defending MASTERs champ BOB REIVIK is having a bit of a slow start to the 2025 season.  We all remember his startling sudden-death playoff victory over Stan Koonce last April.  He was then on his way to a career Grand Slam at that point.  Another former Masters champ BRUCE HICE is off to a nice start to this season currently ranked #11.  MARK NOLAN the 2023 champ will not be in this years major due to an injury.

Sunday, March 30, 2025

          ***HICE HITS HOLE-IN-ONE***

       ~SEYERLE SOARS TO TOP ~BEDENBAUGH WINS TWICE- MASTERS UP NEXT~

   Week number four of this 2025 STATracker season completed all 3 of its scheduled rounds.

   Well… let’s get right to it… with the wind blowing from left to right at the par-3 third hole this past Friday, two-time major champion BRUCE HICE gauged his upcoming tee shot.  With a 6-iron in his hand and 115 yards to the hole, Hice sent his shot a little left of center.  When his ball made landfall, it banked off the lower part of the mound there on the left side of the green, and then made a bee-line right to the hole.  That shot earned him 45 STATracker points as he moved up into 6th place in the Combined standings.  Hice has had a nice strong start to this season and with the month-long STATracker MASTERS competition just ahead, this former Masters and MGA champion, is poised to make some noise as that gets underway this Wednesday.

For Hice, it was his first STATracker hole-in-one and the first Ace of this season for the field.  Hice has now experienced this wonderful feat 4 times in his lifetime golfing career.  Hice won the Masters back in 2021 with a 9 under score of his best 4 rounds that April.  Hice made his 40th trip to the Winners Circle this past week when he helped his team to a victory in the MGA tournament.  More on that in just a bit…

   Speaking of best rounds, one of the field’s rookie sensations from the 2023 season, DAVE SEYERLE, scored a double hole-out round this past Wednesday in the MGA’s 2nd tourney of the season.  Not only did he help his team (Koonce-Hice-Furman-Seyerle) to a victory that day but also got a birdie and those 2 holeouts.  Now that added up to a 36 point afternoon.  In the stingy Tournaments standings, that is a big number.  So big in fact that when the smoke cleared on Wednesday, it was the quiet New Yorker sitting atop the Tournaments standings after the first month of the season.  Seyerle started late this season, but if his recent play is any indication of what’s to come Seyerle could very well crack the top ten this year.  His best finish was in that rookie year.  He was part of that great rookie crop that gave us last season’s Tournaments Champion, Dave Fahrmeier and Match-Play champion Johnny Harrell.  While Fahrmeier and Harrell went on to finish their rookie seasons in the top ten, Seyerle just missed it finishing at a #11 ranking.  But 3 rookies were in the playoffs that year… a first time circumstance for STATracker.  Seyerle scored another holeout in Monday’s Bald Eagles round and ended up with 52 total points for the week in the two rounds he played.  He was a scratch on Friday (16-36-x).

   Elsewhere… WAYNE BEDENBAUGH did it again.  He won twice in one week.  He’s been kind of making that a habit, going back to late last season.  This past week, Bedenbaugh helped his teams to wins in both of the Bald Eagles rounds.  First, on Monday, along with Mark Carmichael, Brian Harrington and Keith Swan, and then on Friday along with Johnny Harrell and Frank Aiuto.  Now on Friday, Bedenbaugh had one of his best rounds ever as he racked up 43 points that day with the win, 2 holeouts and a sandy, only to be “outpointed” by Hice’s 45 point hole-in-one.  Bedenbaugh’s teammate in that round MARK CARMICHAEL, scored 31 points in that same round with the victory and a “Trifecta” (a birdie, a holeout and a sandy).

   And finally, the newest member to HPGC’s Legends Of Golf, GUS VILLANOVA, shot a 79 at age 83.