Trevor Sluman holds the Championship trophy after winning the 86th RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial at Ridgemont Country Club on July 16. Sluman won the title for the third consecutive year – the first time since Chip Lillich won the Championship in 1971-73 that anyone has won three years in a row.
As a swan song for his local amateur career, Trevor Sluman went out in style.
In the final round of the 86th RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial at Ridgemont Country Club on July 16, Sluman, the two-time defending District Champion, breezed to a 2-under-par 70 to finish the 72-hole Championship at 5-under-par 283. Sluman’s steady play kept him in the lead all day, eventually claiming an 8-shot victory for his third consecutive RDGA District Championship title.
“I still have a month of amateur golf left to go, but it’s pretty special to be ending my amateur career here in the area with an RDGA Championship,” he said. “It’s pretty awesome.”
 2016 RDGA District Champion Trevor Sluman
drives off the tee at No. 16 in the final round at Ridgemont.
|
Sluman paved the way to victory this year in much the same way he had done so in each of the two previous years – by taking advantage of relatively short courses (each around 6,600 yards) by maximizing his prodigious length off the tee. “The last three years (the District Championship) have been at relatively short golf courses – and, I hit it pretty far, so I was able to take advantage of that on many holes,” he added. “But – I’ve also putted very well in each of the last three Championships, so that has helped me as well.” Although 6,600 yards might seem to be on the short side for a big hitter like Sluman, the Champ appreciated the way the course was set up – giving players several “risk-reward” opportunities. “That was really fun, actually,” said Sluman. “Every hole was almost drivable – the third hole today the tees were up…17 was drivable today. It wasn’t an easy thinking course – you really had to know what club you wanted to hit. I played pretty smart and never lost a ball the whole week, so I think that was key.” |
|
“Yeah, It’s pretty special,” he said. “The other night, at the Past Champions Dinner, I was sitting with John Kircher, who won four times, and the Ryan family, and Joe Wilson, who won it before. It’s pretty cool to be around a lot of great players.”
In winning his third consecutive RDGA District Championship title, Sluman became just the fourth player to accomplish the feat – and the first since Chip Lillich did it in 1971, 1972 and 1973.
“To be able to win three straight and have my whole family here – It’s pretty awesome,” he said, then added with a smile, “No complaints.”
|
 Chuck Ryan, center, with sons John
Ryan III, left, and Joe Ryan, right.
|
For Sluman, who also earned a spot in the U.S. Amateur in a local qualifier on the Monday before the Championship began, this was his final appearance in the Ryan Memorial. Following his appearance in the Amateur, he will declare his professional status and attempt to earn an exemtion to a professional tour.
 2016 RDGA John Henry Ryan
Gentleman in Golf Award
winner Jim Scorse.
|
During the awards presentation following the conclusion of the District Championship, tournament director Michael Sorce presented a new award – the John Henry Ryan Gentleman in Golf Award.
Named in honor of the late John Ryan Sr., who passed away last winter, and voted on by the contestants during the week of the Championship at Ridgemont, the first presentation of the RDGA Gentleman In Golf Award went to four-time District Champion Jim Scorse.
“I don’t know what to say,” said a surprized Scorse. “I usually just come to these events and keep trying to compete as best I can. Maybe that’s why people voted for me. All I can say is that I’m very honored to be recognized by the players and the RDGA.”
|
A special thanks to Ridgemont Country Club owner Jim Cucinelli, his family, staff and members for their hospitality to the RDGA and District Championship competitors all week – including an hors d’ouvres reception for players and guests following the final round.
Comments are closed.