Only Nine Slots Left in Democrat Tourney

By Fred Stabbert III
CALLICOON — July 25, 2000 – With just six days left until the deadline, the 2000 Sullivan County Democrat’s Two-Man Better Ball Golf Tourney at the Villa Roma Country Club in Callicoon is almost filled to capacity, with 47 teams already registered to play.
“This is one of the earliest dates that we’ve been this close to filling up,” Fred Stabbert, publisher of the Democrat and tournament sponsor, said. “And with the Villa Roma golf course in spectacular shape I know this will be a very exciting and competitive tourney.”
This year marks the 19th time the twice-weekly newspaper has sponsored the tournament for the top amateur golfers in the area.
This year 56 two-man teams — 112 players — are expected to compete in the three-day tournament, which features a qualifying round on Friday, August 11 followed by two days of match play on Saturday and Sunday, August 12 and 13.
Following last week’s feature article about the tournament, 14-year-old Sean Semenetz of Jeffersonville found a partner in the person of 15-year-old Ben Morganstein of Monticello, who recently fired a one-under 71 at Tarry Brae.
Ben and Sean’s older brother, Gregg Jr., are competitors in the Catskill Junior Tour.
Gregg Semenetz Jr. will team up with his father, Gregg Sr. in the Democrat. The pair finished second to Ken Cohen and Barry Winter in the 1999 Democrat Tourney.
New entries in the field include three-time Villa Roma club champion Bill Phillips, who will play with Tennanah Lake linkster Delph Gustitus. Phillips won the Villa Roma club championships in 1989, 1991, and 1992.
Also in the field is the Livingston Manor duo of Terry Wolcott and Bob Simpson. Wolcott is a former Democrat golf champion, winning the tourney in 1989 while playing with Charlie Johnston.
In a new match-up, Liberty golfer Billy Stoddard Jr. will play with former Liberty high school standout Walter Herzog, who won the Democrat in 1995.
Brothers Ira and Nathan Steingart of South Fallsburg are also signed up to play and could make a run for the championship if they are on their game. Nathan owns a piece of the Lochmor Golf Course record, having fired a 64 over the par 71 layout last year. Two other golfers also have a share of the low round.
The father-son duo of Daniel and Nicholas Yaun of Liberty are also in the running as is the brother combo of Craig and Jeff Gordon. The father-son team of Myron and Michael Josepher are also a legitimate championship flight team and are the only team in the tourney with their own publicist, mother-wife Judy.
“So far, so good,” Stabbert said. “I hope the rest of the field shapes up as competively as the first 47 teams and we could have the best tournament in years.”
For more information about the tourney, please call 887-5200. Deadline for entries is Monday, July 31 and only the first 56 paid teams will be eligible to play.