CALLICOON – The only glitch in the 42nd Annual Sullivan County Democrat Two-Man Better Ball Golf Tournament was a fast moving thunderstorm that delayed play for half an hour late Friday afternoon at the Villa Roma Country Club in Callicoon.

After that, it was clear sailing as perfect summer weather greeted the 68 teams – 136 golfers in total – all weekend.

And that clear sailing carried over to this year’s new top team: Michael Decker and Michael Scuderi. The team finished second last year against perennial powerhouses and eight-time team champions Sean Semenetz and Joe Winski, but Decker and Scuderi wouldn’t be denied from the top spot this year.

From the qualifying round when they carded a 3-under par 69, until the final hole of the championship match, Decker and Scuderi played solid golf and were able to get the job done to earn their first Democrat Championship.

It was also another first of sorts, as Villa Roma’s historic stronghold in the championship flight was overshadowed by golfers from Lochmor, Tarry Brae and Roscoe Mountain Club.

“It is always exciting to see new players in the tourney do well and players who have played a while have a great weekend,” Tournament Sponsor and Sullivan County Democrat Publisher Fred Stabbert III said. “This year we had both, as Michael Scuderi and Michael Decker won in just their second year together and long-time players Blake Kilcoin and Mike Cardo had a fantastic weekend, too.”

Tournament Action

In their first round matchup against Martinez and Delacruz, the ‘Michaels’ won 1-up. Their second round, against Dan Piscatelli and Matt Wambach was a bit more decisive, with Decker and Scuderi winning 6+5.

Against Tyler White and Michael Kaufman in the semi-final round, Decker and Scuderi won 3+2, and they returned to the clubhouse to await the finish of the other semi-final to end.

On the other side of the flight, top-seeded Mike Cardo and Blake Kilcoin were advancing via close matches.

In their first round, Cardo and Kilcoin defeated Jason Fedorka and Tom Hinkley 2+1. They won 1-up in the second round against Will Vlaun and Scott Schneider when Cardo dropped two 20-foot bombs on Holes 17 and 18  to win 1-up. That set up a Sunday morning semi-final match against  against the three-time defending champions Sean Semenetz and Joe Winski.

Cardo and Kilcoin were leading by one hole at the turn, but the defending champs tied it up on the back nine and a sudden death playoff was needed to decide the winner.

After Semenetz and Kilcoin hit nearly identical drives on the par-4 hole one, Kilcoin’s second shot was a perfect top-spinning chip onto the green, which rolled up to just a few feet from the hole. Semenetz’s chip rolled a bit farther from the cup, leaving him a 6-footer for birdie.

Semenetz missed the putt and Kilcoin sank the bird to win the match and earn a trip to the Championship, while also ensuring that a new team would win this year.

Cardo and Kilcoin won the first hole of the Championship match, but Decker and Scuderi answered with back-to-back-to-back wins on holes 2-4 to take a 2-hole lead. The group halved 5, 6, 7 and 8 to keep the lead at two.

On the par- 3 ninth, Decker’s drove landed just shortof the green, and his short game, which had been his strength all weekend, was on display as he chipped  into the cup to for  a birdie to win the hole and increase the lead to three-up at the turn.

After a brief stop at the clubhouse, the teams teed off on 10, which was another win for Decker and Scuderi, increasing their lead to four-up.

Cardo and Kilcoin won 11 to bring the lead back to three, and the teams halved 12-14 to keep the score the same.

The teams drove down the fairway on the 505-yard, par five 15th, but it was Decker’s second shot that landed about 15 feet from the cup that secured the win. He was able to safely putt twice and earn the win after coming up just short the year prior.

“Sean and Joe were so great last year. I focused on improving for this year. We know Blake and Mike well, so it was great playing against them in the Championship,” Decker said. “I rely on my short game. I was in a great spot to chip on 9 and even though I didn’t feel like I hit it well, the shot went in.”

Scuderi said, “Last year stung, but this year we got to play against our good friends and we were able to pull through.”

When asked about falling behind early, Scuderi said, “We lost the first hole in every match, so it was a comfortable position for us. I was in cruise control for a bit because Mike [Decker] was playing very well. He put it on me on 15 and I did it.”

Blake Kilcoin, who knocked in two eagles and three birdies on the back nine of his qualifying round, said, “Above all it was a fun weekend. Playing well is one thing, but the enjoyment of the experience is another. I had to play my best this morning and ran out of steam in the finals.”

When asked about his performance on the 19th hole playoff against the 2022 champs he said, “I stepped up with confidence, put myself in an ideal position on the second shot, and when I stepped up for the putt, I felt nothing but 100% confidence.”

Mike Cardo shared a similar sentiment about making it to the finals. “Joe and Sean are good friends, and it was an exciting and intimidating [semi-final] match. Getting to the finals for the first time was awesome, and I had a great time.”