Lowe and Specht Prevail at the Richardson
EAST WILLISTON, N.Y. (May 4, 2023) – Matthew Lowe of MGA eClub Long Island and Alan Specht of Port Jefferson at Hrbr Hill claimed LIGA season-opening titles on Saturday at the Richardson Memorial Championship Sponsored by Keystone Electronics Corporation at Wheatley Hills Golf Club.
Lowe faced off against Prescott Butler of Meadow Brook Club in the semifinal match. After a quiet front nine from both players, Lowe quickly found himself in a hole after the turn. Butler won Nos. 11,12 & 14 to take a 3-up lead. With just four holes left to play Lowe's putter heated up and quickly helped him dig into the lead. Lowe went on to finish with four birdies in as many holes. What was a 3-up lead for Butler quickly evaporated and Lowe birdied the last to win, 1 up.
“I just felt that I had to win 15 at the very least," said Lowe. "It was a must, if I could win that I could possibly win two of the last three holes and get to a playoff. On 16 he hit it close but missed, I hit a putt and now even though I'm one down, I felt I had the momentum."
In the final, Lowe faced Micheal Auerbach of Bellport. Auerbach defeated Stephen Nicholas of Deepdale in the semifinals. In a match that saw little movement, Auerbach prevailed in extra holes. Auerbach’s par on the 19th hole pushed him into the final.
Lowe started the match going one up but gave it back with a bogey on the second. After several holes tied, Lowe made his move. Lowe made back-to-back birdies on Nos. 7 and 8 to take a 2-up lead. After pars from both on the ninth, Lowe once again went on a run, winning four straight holes to win the match by a 6-and-5 margin and capture the title.
In the Senior Division Alan Specht of Port Jefferson CC Hrbr Hill defeated Thomas Trakoval of Port Jefferson CC Hrbr Hill, 7 and 5. Specht also continued his great play from the previous rounds. Specht won the first before dropping the second for the match to return to tied. Specht made par to win the fourth and didn't look back as he failed to surrender another hole en route to his 7-and-5 victory.