This past Sunday in the 84th Four-Ball at Tedesco Country Club, two flights went toe-to-toe for the title. The “Main Flight Championship” was won by CJ Soderlund and Drew Morin, while “Round-A-Day” (RAD) winners were Phil DiCarlo and Bob Defruscio.
DiCarlo and Defruscio have been friends for more than 40 years, and they’ve been competing in the tournament 15 years.
In the opening round of RAD, DiCarlo (8 handicap) and Defruscio (12 handicap) got past their opponents before moving on to a tough matchup against Matt and Ed McCreedy. The match went to 20 holes with DiCarlo and Defruscio ultimately prevailing.
“The first day, we struggled a little bit but hung in there and each day we got a little bit better,” DiCarlo said.
Their next match saw them face 2021 winners Tom Demakes and Nick Katsos. DiCarlo and Defruscio took care of business in 16 holes to clinch their spot in the championship match against Ken Bane and Mark Muscatello.
On the final day — with the score leveled heading to the ninth hole — DiCarlo and Defruscio went on a tear. The duo won the 9th, 10th, 14th, and 15th holes to close it out and win.
“Our drivers and irons were good, but the putting was probably the best of the week,” DiCarlo said.
DiCarlo, who has been a member at Tedesco for 17 years, said the course was in great shape.
“The course was great and the greens were quick,” DiCarlo said. “The weather was perfect. It was a fun tournament all around.”
“It’s something I look forward to every year. The event itself is great and is run so well by the club,” DiCarlo said.
In the Main Flight Championship, Soderlund and Morin faced off against Ryan and Brendan Coleman on Thursday. Soderlund and Morin got past a tough opening matchup, winning 2-up.
On Friday, Soderlund and Morin prevailed against Andrew Demakes and Peter Cormier. The match lasted until hole 17 where Soderlund and Morin won the hole — and match — 2-and-1.
The win moved them to Saturday’s round of 16 where they played two matches. The first match was against Drew Tripodi and Joe Callahan, which they won 4-and-3. Later on, Soderlund and Morin faced off against the Regan brothers Keith and Declan. Soderlund and Morin held on to win 3-and-1 to advance to the semifinals.
Soderlund and Morin prevailed in the semis and advanced to the championship match against Kevin Maguire and Tom Finocchio. Soderlund and Morin ended the match in 14 holes, winning 5-and-4 to be crowned champions.