Squaring off against the men’s scratch club champions from all of the regulation 18- and nine-hole courses in The Post-Journal circulation area, the champion of both Cardinal Hills Golf Course and Chautauqua Golf Club carded a 33 on the opening nine holes while finishing with a 35 on the home stretch for a 3-under par day that was mercifully absent of rain.

“I played here probably five years ago in a scramble, and that was it,” Ditcher said of his experience at the layout that was designed in 1963, so I came on Tuesday and played with my dad just to try to remember a few things, so this was the second real round of golf I’ve played here. The course itself is decently open, you don’t really need to be firing on all cylinders off the tee. But the greens have some subtle undulations and you really have to chip and putt well.”

Following some overnight showers, Sunday’s conditions were certainly damp although golfers in the field were not forced to deal with any pools of water or showers during play.

With Ditcher safely in the clubhouse, Blueberry Hill Golf Club champion Joe Nelson had an opportunity to challenge for the lead as he entered the final two holes just one stroke back.

JOE NELSON

At the par-5 17th, Nelson struck his third shot just past the pin, leaving a slippery side-hill try for birdie that would have tied for the lead. That attempt fell just short, and a Nelson was left to try for a chip-in birdie on the final hole of regulation that would not find the mark.

“I’m from Warren so I’ve played all the courses in the area, (and) I’ve played Jackson many times,” said Nelson, who has entered the Riggs Memorial four times previous as the champion of Conewango Valley Country Club.

“It’s fun, especially when they’ve got the tees moved back and the rough grown out, because that rough is serious. It was a tough challenge today. You had to hit the fairway, which you don’t say often at Jackson Valley, but it was a challenge.”

See CHAMPIONS, Page B2

While many know the par 3s at Jackson Valley to offer some subtly challenging play, Ditcher was able to make the most of those shorter holes, finishing with three birdies and a par.

NOLAN SWANSON

That hot streak included a deft shot at the 193-yard second, where Ditcher nearly holed out his tee shot after starting the day with a birdie at the par-5 first.

“I started off on two and hit one to tap-in range. That was a little unexpected, to be honest,” Ditcher said. “But getting up on eight, playing here Tuesday I know coming downhill into that green with the slope you can’t hit it at the pin or else it’s going to spin back off the front fringe, so I played it probably 20 feet past the pin and a little bit left and just let it take the slope back.”

Nelson would pick up birdies at the par-4 seventh and the par-4 14th.

Following behind the leaders in the opening flight of the day was Pinehurst Golf Club champ Nolan Swanson, who shot a 1-over par 72. Four members of the field finished the day with 77s, including host champion Rob Ritchie, Josh Harrington of Shorewood Country Club, Bill Bernard of Moon Brook Country Club and Anthony Pellegrino Jr. of Conewango Valley CC.

Dan Smith of Elkdale Country Club ended his day at 80, while Bob Paterniti of South Hills Country Club fired an 82. Rod Lind of Cassadaga Country Club, Troy Beightol of Breezewood Links and Craig Martin of Chautauqua Point Golf Course each finished with an 83, while returning champion Taylor Beaver of Cardinal Hills shot 84.

JORDAN MARSH

Rounding out the field was Chad Swan of Maplehurst with a 90.

Champion

Nolan Ditcher 68

Runner-up

Joe Nelson 69

Jackson Valley Golf Club pro Eric Gurdack, center, is surrounded by the first- and second-place finishers at the 29th annual Jim Riggs Memorial Champions on Sunday. Representing Cardinal Hills Golf Course and Chautauqua Golf Club is winner Nolan Ditcher, left. At right is Blueberry Hill Golf Club’s Joe Nelson, who finished second. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Nolan Swanson 72

Jordan Marsh 72

Josh Harrington 77

Bill Bernard 77

Anthony Pellegrino Jr. 77

Rob Ritchie 77

Dan Smith 80

Bob Paterniti 82

Rod Lind 83

Troy Beightol 83

Craig Martin 83

Taylor Beaver 84

Chad Swan 90