Aug 28, 2014 Results
Another toaster of a day greeted us at Jack Nicklaus' Bear Creek creation. At least I think that's why it's called Bear Creek. It happens to fall right across the road from a place I frequented often in the 70's; Mid America Raceway, or MAR. I had a friend who raced a small sports car, of the cantankerous English variety, and I helped him with the engine preparation of the car for several years during that decade. A lot of fun and a lot of strange hours doing strange things to small engines.
Back then I believe there was another course that ran along the road but I never knew the name of it. Little did I realize that one day I'd be trying to play golf in that immediate area. And little did I realize that the course that finally settled there would have so many par 5's and even 4 par 6's!! I can't tell you how many times we scrambled to get aboard the green in one less stroke than par, hoping that our approach shot might, by some miracle, land within a simple putting stroke to help us save par. Most of the time someone pulled that miracle from somewhere and we made the par-saving putt. Oh we did manage one birdie, and we did have several (like maybe 3) chances for birdie, but most of the round was a pure scramble. And then there's number 2 hole. If there's one hole in the whole St. Louis metro area that is way down my list of favorites it's that stupid #2 at Bear Creek. How they can survey that at 370 yards is beyond me. And I don't think I'm the only one that has less than favorable dreams about that one.
And then there's number 16! That's one of the most frustrating par 3's on record. Deceptively long, but benignly simple. Now if I were to change my name to Mark Bryant, I might think differently. A very warm congratulations on your ace Mark, well deserved.
The course condition was pretty good and looked very presentable from a distance. Unfortunately, the tee boxes were quite shabby, and that's probably an understatement. Fairways were just the right height and the greens were moderate to a tad slow in speed, and not too ball marked. At least they didn't measure a -3 on the stimpmeter like Emerald Greens the previous week.
As usual the management was cordial and gave us as much leeway as possible in spite of the fact they'd received 2 inches of rain the night before. Amazingly, a cart path only round took the bulk of the teams just over 5 hours to tour the place.
Results:
Players: 101
Playoff hole: #10
Flight "A"
In First was A threesome managed by Bob Meinhardt and comprised of Karson Kosowski and celebrated returnee Duane Jefts shot the low of the day, a -9. Jefts was heard to say that his medical issues have curtailed his game somewhat to such an extent that he can only squeeze 150 yards out of a 9-iron! Welcome back Duane.
In Second at a -8(64) was the Dee Ridenhour squad of Mark "the Ace" Bryant, Max Saunders, and Frank Vien.
In Third Trailing by two strokes and finishing with a -6(66) was the Ernie South, Tom Braun, and Dean Brandon team who fashioned an eagle on the long #11 that played as a par 8 for other mortals.
Also finishing with a -6 was the Jerry White team, but unfortunately they were topped in the SCP. The Paul Pals team finished at a -5(67).
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Flight "B"
In First was The George Eickhoff, Doug Torrie, Pierre Sans Souci, and Bob Stephenson team. They topped out this flight with a tidy -4(68)
Nosed out, via the SCP,In Second was the Pete Grouzos, Bob Haddad, Al Rosenberg, and Ed de la Pena team.
Finishing with a -3(69),in Third was the Darryl Rue, Jim Dwyer, Lowell Barnes and Jeff Delaplain team.
They beat out the other 69ers of the Sonny Javier and John Loscuito teams.
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Flight "C"
No one shot a 70 score but a lot of teams finished with a 71, one under par. In fact all seven teams in this flight shot this score.
In First via the SCP, was the Dennis Terhaar, Dale Crittenden, Bob Foeller, and Harold Howard team.
In Second was the Tom Gill, Jack Panula, Fob Franke, and Rich Graeff team
In Third was the Del Lohmann, John Prather, Dennis Swift, and Larry Willman team.
The remaining 71ers were the Mark Gordon team, the Joe Jarvis team, the Don Wulf team, and the Lon Schwake team.
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Flight "D"
We also had a gaggle of teams in this flight with 5 teams knotted at even par (hmmm, smackers from sisters).
In First was the Steve Wallach, Bob Edwards, Dennis Shannon and John O'Toole team.
In Second was the Dan Ottoline, Harold Lindahl, Bert Schott, and Dan Bronczyk team.
In Third was the Art Soble, Tom Fichter, Alex Horvat, and Charlie Riedisser team.
The other 72ers were the Don Giarraffa and the Ted Schuessler teams. Two teams tied at 73; the Dave Gillett squad and the Don Moschenross team, while the Bill Houston team posted a 74 and the team that got the most practice for the day, the Phil Helm team, shot 77.
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Awards:
Closest to the pins for the day:
#3 Dan Ottoline
#6 Duane Jefts
#12 Jim Hawkes
#16 Mark Bryant!!!! Great Ace Mark - congratulations.
Skins:
#3 the Don Giarraffa team (birdie 2)
#5 the Steve Wallach team (birdie 3)
#9 the Jerry White team (birdie 3)
#11 the Ernie South team (eagle 3)
#16 the Dee Ridenhour team (Mark Bryant's ace)