November 16, 2006

BADEN, PA — Eugene Faiella played golf two weeks ago. The round was his first in four long months and the results did not surprise. Faiella scored a career-low 18 points considering his 3-year 19-round history.

The round was played at an unfamilar high-elevated Grand View Golf Club just south of Pittsburgh, PA.

Things were clearly in check and under control going out, but the lack of golf and focus was eliminated coming in. Eugene opened with a 8-over front nine 44. He opened the back nine with a triple bogey and never recovered.

"He came off the tracks and never managed to find himself out there," says partner Robby Fustich. "The back nine manhandled him in the late-afternoon as the sun was setting."

Faiella carded a triple bogey and 5 double bogeys in his first 7 holes of the back nine. A three-digit tragedy was saved with a pair of bogeys starting on Hole 17. The back nine was awarded just 3 points.

"It was not very good round for me," says Faiella. "I really thought an assault was possible from just over 5,700 yards. The assault did happen, but it was a course assault on my game."

In other related news, Rob Fustich shot a 25-over 95 to beat Faiella by one stroke. The 4-par round set the tone for friendly victory.

Eugene slides down the Leaderboard into 49th position towards the 2006 Virtual Tournament. The season-long tournament ends in 44 days.