"For me to be playing champ flight on Sunday morning, it's honestly incredible. I'm at a loss for words, to be honest with you."
Those who know 19 year-old Johnny Svalina well will quickly attest that the sophomore at Wagner College on Staten Island (New York City) is seldom if ever at a loss for words.
And in fairness, based on the balance of the interview that followed the dramatic playoff hole quarter-final victory at the Idylwylde Invitational Saturday evening, Svalina was still in fine oratory form.
"It was a long day out there - two rounds of 18 and a playoff hole at the end," noted the graduate of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School who bested Mike Moraca one-up in the morning after carding a round of 74 Friday to qualify for championship flight for the first time in four attempts.
"It was a tough match this morning - I didn't hit it how I wanted to - but this was an absolute dogfight with Conor (Gaudet). Honestly, I am just happy I stick with it with my caddie (Pierson Sobush)."
After appearing in just one event in his freshman season with the Wagner Seahawks, Svalina became a fixture in the lineup in year two. At the Roar-EE Invitational, he shot a career-best 73 (+1), finishing 32nd overall at the tournament with a final score of three over par.
Svalina will be joined in the Sunday morning semis by North Bay native Ryan Neil (5 & 4 over Cory Vaillancourt), former Idylwylde pro and current Sault Ste Marie Ryan Bastien (2 up over Ryan Willoughby) and Jacob Lacko (one up over defending champion Joey Kremer).
None of the golfers in this quartet have ever won the Idylwylde Invitational - or even appeared in the final, for that matter.
Following are complete results from the opening round of championship flight match play:
Jacob Lacko defeats Jimmy duDomaine 6 & 5Joey Kremer defeats Sam Coons 4 & 3
Johnny Svalina defeats Mike Moraca 1 up
Conor Gaudet defeats Stephen Morris 1 up
Ryan Neil defeats Evan MacLean 5 & 4
Cory Vaillancourt defeats Adam Mutuchky 4 & 3
Ryan Willoughby defeats Don Martone 1 up
Ryan Bastien defeats Matt Battistoni 2 up