Tilley Claims 2021 Richardson at Wheatley Hills
EAST WILLISTON, N.Y. (May 1, 2021) -- Brad Tilley of Sleepy Hollow Country Club won the Richardson Memorial Championship Sponsored by Keystone Electronics Corp. on Saturday after winning an exciting 18-hole final match against Colin Dolph of Nassau Country Club (1-up) at Wheatley Hills Golf Club.
Related: Final Bracket | Photos
In the final match, Tilley and Dolph tied the first two holes. On the par-3 third, Tilley hit his tee shot way right, resulting in a double bogey. Dolph was able to chip up after missing the green with his tee shot and two putt for a bogey, putting him 1-up for the match.
After halving holes four and five, Dolph would make par on six to Tilley’s bogey, putting him 2-up. Dolph would remain 2-up for the rest of the front nine, as well as thru hole 10. On 11, Tilley hit a great drive and then left his second shot in the bunker in front of the green. Dolph’s second clipped some branches and landed short of the green. He would chip up and later putt to about five feet. Tilley was able to get up and down from the bunker and cut Dolph’s lead in half. He noted that this was a pivotal moment for him in the match.
“That was definitely the spark,” Tilley explained. “You know, I was burning a lot of edges today, which you’re going to do in these conditions, it’s just so windy and tough, and not to mention some tough greens. So, I kept burning edges and tried to stay patient, and that one actually caught the edge and went in, and I felt like that gave me a little boost of energy and was able to capitalize. To see that one drop was huge.”
On 12, Dolph hit his second shot out of bounds right and ended up making a bogey. Tilley was able to get his third shot on the green and two putt to win the hole, squaring up the match heading into the final six holes. After halving holes 13 and 14, Tilley would win the 15th with a par after Dolph made bogey.
Standing on the 16th tee, Tilley found himself 1-up with three holes to play. With the driveable par-4 in front of him, he decided to hit driver. His tee shot wound up in the bunker directly in front of and below the flag. Dolph would also pull his driver, and hit his ball left of the green in the rough, pin-high.
Dolph would chip up and two putt for his par. Tilley hit a fantastic bunker shot to about 10-feet. He then drained the birdie putt to go 2-up on Dolph with just two holes to play. Dolph played the 17th to perfection, rolling in a short birdie putt to win the hole and cut Tilley’s lead to one, but it would not matter. Tilley played the 18th soundly, hitting his approach shot to the back left portion of the green and two putting for par, clinching the match and the title.
“The win means a lot, every win means a lot. It’s really hard to get wins out here and I’ve been fortunate to play well these last few years and pick some up,” Tilley said.
“Every win is a battle and this was a tough event. You have to play well in those first 18 holes (stroke play) and then every match is a grind, 36 holes a day, so it’s a lot. Not to mention these conditions, we had the wind blowing every day, your focus needs to be that much greater to have success out here.”
Tilley earned his trip to the finals thanks to a 4-and-2 victory over Darin Goldstein of Deepdale Friday afternoon in the quarterfinals and another 4-and-2 victory over Colby Anderson of Nassau Country Club in Saturday morning’s semifinal matchup.
In the Richardson Memorial’s Senior Division, Alan Specht of Port Jefferson Country Club at Harbor Hill defeated Tom Yellin of The Stanwich Club 2-and-1. This was Alan Specht’s first time competing in the Senior Division at the Richardson. Specht earned his way to the finals thanks to wins against Troy David of the Glen Oaks Club in the quarterfinals and Jim Romaniello of Shorehaven Golf Club in the semis.
Wheatley Hills Golf Club served as a superb host of the 2021 Richardson Memorial Championship, which honors late New York Times sports writer William D. Richardson, upon its move to early May on the LIGA's schedule