RiverWinds Plays Host to Area's Best Young Golfers

The winds swirled, the scores soared and the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Memorial Tournament found a new home Thursday.

From its inception in 1982 through last year, the tournament was held at the Blackwood Golf course, now known as Ron Jaworski’s Valleybrook Country Club.

With Jaworksi now the operator of RiverWinds Golf Club, it was decided that the event could use a change of venue. Thursday marked the first Arena/Riftkin Tournament held at the West Deptford course, and the event was viewed as a grand success.

“This is a championship caliber course, it was a vast improvement on the past,” said West Deptford coach John Cobb, who actually competed in the inaugural event. “It’s just a great golf course. This place is a sleeping gem.”

The event featured 218 high school golfers from throughout the state, with GCIT’s Louis Kelly winning the event by beating Middle Township’s Alex Hicks in the second playoff hole. Both players shot a 75 and produced some compelling drama.

Kelly birdied the 17th to go one up stroke on Hicks. However, Hicks was able to sink a 33-foot putt on 18 to send the match into extra holes. After Hicks made another putt over 30 feet and Kelly made an 8-foot putt to force a second playoff hole, Kelly finally ended the event by recording a par to win the title

Three golfers broke 80 on the day, something of a surprise given the heavy winds that ripped through the course throughout the day.

“In the morning round no one broke 80, and I wasn’t surprised,” said Cobb. “The wind was a factor. It was harder in the afternoon group, but it was really bad the first three-quarters of the afternoon round. At that point I didn’t think anyone would break 80.”

West Deptford senior Jordan Haines was also awed by the play of his competitors.

“I was very impressed (with the low scores),” said Haines. “To come here and play in those conditions and with the pressure and shoot that well is awesome.”

Haines was the top West Deptford finisher, placing 14th with an 86. Junior Kevin Brockway tied for 18th with an 89.

“I was definitely pleased with (my score),” Haines said. “I struck the ball well, but I couldn’t putt. There were a couple of three-putts I would like to have back. I hit my irons and drives well and just ended up playing bogey golf, and it turned out for the best.”

Cobb was especially pleased with Haines’ performance.

“Jordan had a solid day,” he said. "On that course in those conditions, it's the best round he has played.”

RiverWinds is set to host the tournament for two more years, at which point a decision will be made about its future. Although he will no longer be in school when that decision is made, Haines hopes RiverWinds becomes the tournament’s permanent home.

“I think RiverWinds is a great course when it comes down to a challenge standpoint,” Haines said. “I definitely recommend (the tournament) coming back, because it gives the players more challenges than other courses with the elements.”

Background: Carl Arena was a longstanding mechanical drafting teacher and head golf coach. After his passing, a golf tournament and scholarship was organized to honor his values and interest in education and the sport of golf. The first tournament took place in 1982, and was organized by two of Carl’s colleagues and friends, Al Rifkin and Patrick Libro.

The full results are here.