Finley, Abate Pro-Amsters Rule

Delco Caterers Steve and Tom Finley, along with their friend Dom Abate teamed up with PGA Tour Professional Pat Perez to compete in the AT&Tiger National Pro-Am yesterday.

When I caught up with them at the turn (they played the back nine first) they were 8 under. I walked inside the ropes with them the rest of the way.

One shot back on the last hole, the par 5 9th, Steve a 9 handicapper from Llanerch CC., cracked one over 300 yards straight down the middle, that's how hard and fast the fairways are running out here, not that Steve didn't nut it. Both he and Dom, who was about 20 yards behind him, where just off the green with their second shots and both got up and down for natural birides, net eagles.

They finished 14 under and were the leaders in the clubhouse for the afternoon event when I left.

Was it worth the $8,500 a piece it cost them to participate? I'll find out later today. But I'm betting 'Yeah, it was. Every penny of it."

Check 'em out. You decide.



Here's their pro, Perez teeing off on the par 3, 8th, 238 yards into a stiff breeze WITH AN IRON! Don't worry. He was short.



UPDATE: I have just learned that Team Finley/Abate won their event. Steve reports they each got a big hunk of crystal and bragging rights for Llanerch CC over all those Aronimink swells.

I asked him if it the experience was worth the 8,500 beans.

"It was," said Steve. "It (the money) goes to a good cause for the kids. It was fun out there. It's a thing you remember of a lifetime."