Chemistry a big part of DeGol-Smith win at Park Hills golf course
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The old adage holds that familiarity breeds contempt.
But in the case of Anthony DeGol and Willie Smith on the Park Hills Country Club golf course, familiarity has produced comfort.
DeGol of Hollidaysburg and Smith of Newville began playing as a team in the Park Hills Golf Classic in 2020, and on Sunday afternoon, they teamed to win their fourth Park Hills title by defeating last year's championship team of Artie Fink, Jr. and Todd Homan, 3-2 in match play.
Both DeGol - who won another Park Hills Classic championship with another teammate, Trent Karlik, in 2019 -- and Smith agreed that the personal chemistry that the two share on the golf course from being such long-time playing partners is an invaluable asset.
"Absolutely,'' said the 36-year-old DeGol. "The chemistry aspect is huge. We've played together for so long, that we know how to pick each other up and motivate each other, and that really helps us.''
Smith, 57, said that he and DeGol first met as competitors on the golf course, before they became teammates.
"We were playing against each other before I got a phone call from Anthony saying that he needed a teammate, and the first time that we played in this event together, we won it,'' Smith said. "He's a good friend and a great golfer.''
The DeGol-Smith duo broke out to the lead from the get-go and never looked back. They held a two-stroke lead approaching Sunday's 11th hole, when DeGol hit a pivotal iron shot that helped the winners build a three-stroke lead.
"I almost made a hole-in-one on 11 and we went up three strokes after that hole,'' DeGol said. "Going from two to three strokes up made a huge difference.''
At the same time, DeGol knew better than to relax with the lead against the talented veteran duo of Fink, Jr. and Homan, who overcame a big deficit to win the championship in last year's event.
"Artie and Todd were down five strokes last year after 10 holes and came back to win,'' DeGol said. "We got ahead early today, but I knew that at any time in the match, the momentum could switch. They're great competitors, and I knew that there was no point in feeling comfortable against them until the final putt today.''
Both DeGol and Smith expressed their appreciation to the Park Hills staff, led by club pro Nate Stuller.
"Park Hills and its club pro Nate Stuller have done a great job with this course and this event,'' DeGol said. "There were 80 teams here this year.''
Smith said that he was glad to be on the winning team with DeGol again.
"I appreciate the opportunity to play here again with Anthony,'' Smith said. "He's a great golfer and a great friend. I look forward to playing in this event every year. It's such good competition, and I feel fortunate to be able to be part of the winning team.''
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
Championship: Anthony DeGol-William Smith def. Artie Fink, Jr.-Todd Homan, 3-2.
Beaten 4s (third place): Mike Macionsky-Sean Brannan def. Derek Fink-Nick Helsley, 2-1.
FIRST FLIGHT
Championship: Steve Genter-Brian Hall def. Jesse Auker-Tim Henry, 1UP.
Beaten 4s (third place): Joe George-Ralph Litrenta def. Doug Knisely Sr.-Doug Knisely, Jr. 3-2.
SECOND FLIGHT
Championship: Brett Weibley-R.J. Barnard def. Michael Fiore-Nicholas Gates, 3-1.
Beaten 4s (third place): Andrew Myers-Kurtis Myers def. John Koury-Tim Trimarco, 1UP.
THIRD FLIGHT
Championship: Michael Eardley-Nick Panaro def. Walter DeMase-Walter DeMase III, 2-1.
Beaten 4s (third place): Ed Decarbo-Douglas Bagley def. Branson Dodson-Rick Webb, 3-1.
FOURTH FLIGHT
Championship: Scott Burgmeier-Jarod Brumbaugh def. Matt Massaro-Jordan Mesoraco, 3-2.
Beaten 4s (third place): Richard Fiore-John Fiore def. Logan Frey-Richard Frey, 5-3.
FIFTH FLIGHT
Championship: Mark Peterson-Larry Swab def. A.J. Pacifico-Brandon Beecher, 1UP.
Beaten 4s (third place): Doug Mort-Daryl Mitchelltree def. Mike Folcarelli-Tom Hooper, 1UP.
SIXTH FLIGHT
Championship: Nick Consiglio-Damon Rickens def. Josh Repac-Matthew Dicks, 2-1.
Beaten 4s (third place): Matt Baker-Mike Gority def. Richard Adams-Erik Dambeck, 4-2.
SEVENTH FLIGHT
Championship: Robert Knisely-Terry Mulhern def. John Caputo-Jason Wasovich, 4-3.
Beaten 4s (third place): Jim Bierly-Harry Anderson def. Tim Williams-Cliff Lawson, 1UP (20 holes).
EIGHTH FLIGHT
Championship: Kyle Bellew-Scott Robertson def. Chad Miller-Chuck Dively, 1UP (23 holes).
Beaten 4s (third place): Rob Taylor-Jonathan Wasovich def. Sam Fiore-Nick Wells, 7-5.
SENIORS
Championship: Dave Helsel-Mike Barbarini def. Dan Green-Jeffrey Lowery, 1UP.
Beaten 4s (third place): Mike Madden-Robert Hammaker def. Tom Hoover-Terry Funcheon, 1UP.