Dramatic ending to first tournament

Jeff Tully

Months of preparation and organization culminated with an exciting

ending to the inaugural Burbank City Amateur Golf Championship at De

Bell Municipal Golf Course.

After three days of competition, a trio of golfers finished tied

for the lead in the Joseph De Bell Championship Flight. That forced

a playoff Sunday to determine the event’s first champion.

In the playoff, Northridge’s Scott Bashin birdied the 10th hole to

defeat a pair of Burbank golfers -- Dan Pouliot and Jason Stanley.

“That is a pretty exciting way to end our first tournament,” said

De Bell golf professional Scott Scozzola, who was also the event’s

organizer.

“I am very pleased with how everything went, this being our first

tournament and all. We are expecting it to grow and be even bigger

next year.”

One-hundred sixty-three golfers took part in the event, which was

broken down into a series of flights, based on athletes’ handicaps.

A tough, challenging course was laid out by superintendent Matt

Gniader, making the venue more difficult than usual.

“I think we can do maybe 255 golfers next year, if all goes well,”

Scozzola said.

“A tournament like this is all about organization. I was lucky I

was able to get a lot of help putting this on. My staff was great,

and Rob Moore, who runs the Pasadena city event, helped me out a

lot.”

Fans came out to watch the tournament, which featured a number of

local athletes. Golf enthusiasts crowded the 10th hole to take in the

playoff, which was quickly won by Bashin.

Bashin, Pouliot and Stanley finished the 54-hole event tied with a

three-round total of 218 on the par-71 course.

With seven of the top-10 finishers from Burbank, locals were well

represented.

One of the best performances was turned in by Burroughs High

sophomore Jeff Looby, who had a 224 to finish seventh. Former Burbank

High standout Bob Frishette also played well, firing a 221 to finish

fifth.

The other top local finishers were Steven Tate (eighth; 225), Ted

Difilippo (ninth; 226) and Fred Sinclair (10th; 227).