Micklewright and Daniels Take Four-Ball Title
MOOSIC, Pa. - In a four-ball competition, there’s one key for success that overrides almost any other - both players need to be in play for birdie, if not par. And at the 31st Pennsylvania Four-Ball at Glenmaura National Golf Club this week, one team found that formula more often than others - Jeff Daniels and Scott Micklewright. The duo finished the 36-hole event at 15-under par to win in a playoff over JT Barker and Jim Maru for the championship, which was presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
“We were both in every hole, which is obviously a key in this format,” said Micklewright, of Hershey Country Club. “Overall, we played very solid.”
Daniels and Micklewright shot a 64 (-7) in Monday’s opening round and were tied for the lead with Barker and Maru. After making just one bogey in round one, the pair had none in the second round as they fired a 63 (-8) to force the playoff, which they won when Daniels birdied the first playoff hole, Glenmuara’s No. 18.
“It’s easy playing with Scott,” Country Club of Harrisburg member Daniels said. “I can be a little iffy sometimes but he’s a great partner out there. I think we both really played well the last two days.”
After nine holes in Tuesday’s final round, Barker and Maru found themselves two shots ahead after a great 30 on the front. A birdie on the 12th by Daniels evened things up. Barker and Maru had a one-shot lead when they went to 18, where Daniels made a clutch birdie to force a playoff.
On the playoff hole, Daniels found himself in birdie position again.
“I just know on that hole that if I can get it out there in play, I’m pretty good with a wedge,” said Daniels of the 319-yard par 4. My partner was in for a 4 and I had a downhiller and didn’t have to worry about leaving it short.”
The 10-footer rolled right into the cup, sealing the birdie and the victory for Daniels and Micklewright, who made just one bogey in the 36 holes of the better-ball format.
Barker, a PAGA Individual Member, and Maru, of Northampton Country Club, fired identical 18 hole scores to the winning team (64-63), but fell short in the playoff to finish second. In third place was the Glen Oak Country Club tandem of Kyle Williams and Luke Fayocavitz, who shot 131 (-11).
The win was Micklewright’s second in the event, as he teamed with Chris Lilly to win in 2002 at Blue Ridge Country Club.
The Four-Ball returned to the schedule this year after being canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pennsylvania Golf Association would like to thank the staff and membership of Glenmaura National Golf Club for the hospitality in hosting the championship. Thanks as well to DICK’S Sporting Goods for sponsorship of the event.