Blog
Aug 13

Starkweather Wins 2nd RDGA Mid Am in Rain-Shortened Championship at Chili CC

 
Ken Starkweather of Ridgemont, second from right, celebrates with his son – and caddie – Jason after winning the 2016 RDGA Mid Amateur trophy at Chili Country Club on August 13. RDGA tournament official Michael Sorce, second from left, presented tournament trophies to Starkweather and runner-up Dr. Jim Mason, left, following play.
 

Following a long, wet day, Ridgemont’s Ken Starkweather captured his second career RDGA Mid Amateur Championship at Chili Country Club on August 13 in a competition that was shortened from 36 to 27 holes as a result of two 50-minute delays due to weather in the final day of the tournament.

In the second round, the field completed just 9 holes to conclude the Championship after play resumed at 5 p.m. following the second weather delay of the day. One of the RDGA’s annual major championships, the District Mid Amateur is open to top male amateurs age 25 or above.

Starkweather, who also won the District Mid Am in 2008, won the 2016 RDGA Mid Am title after shooting 2-over-par 38 for 9 holes in the final round to finish the Championship with a 3-over-par 111 total for 27 holes.

“I struggled off the first two holes today,” said Starkweather after completing the second round. “I pumped one out of bounds on No. 1…ended up with bogeys on the first two holes. I settled down on No.3, but then we had about an hour and a half delay. Fortunately, I made a good putt when we came back, which got me going – then I just hung in thee the rest of the way and the other guys kinda struggled. Not too bad today – and I played well yesterday.”

Finishing in the runner-up position for the second consecutive year was Dr. Jim Mason of Oak Hill. Mason had a 38 in the second round to finish 2 shots behind Starkweather at 5-over 113. Len Perno, the first round leader, posted a 42 on Saturday for a 114 total to finish in third place.

Each of the top three finishers also earned exemptions into the 2017 RDGA District Championship.
 
Notably absent from this year’s RDGA Mid Am Championship field was 6-time champion Jim Scorse of Stafford and perrenial Mid Am contender Tim Spitz of Monroe – both were playing in last week’s New York State Men’s Amateur Championship near Albany, which concluded a day before the first round of the RDGA Mid Amateur.
 
“This is No. 2 (RDGA Mid Amateur title), which is kinda cool,” Starkweather said of his victory. “I think this is the second one I won when Jimmy Scorse wasn’t here, so one of these days, I’ll try and get Jimmy.”

Many thanks to Chili Country Club owners Vince & Ann Pompa, as well as Mario & Piero Gatti – who manage The Club House at Chili Country Club – and all the staff at Chili Country Club for their hospitality in hosting this RDGA major championship.

The final pairing of the 2016 RDGA Mid Amateur Championship completes play on the 9th green during the second and final round as storm clouds threaten to halt play a third time that day. The competition was ultimately shortened from 36 to 27 holes due to multiple weather delays.