April 24, 2014

Wow, a very nice day, considering the rather dire forecast leading up to this Thursday. No rain whatsoever and actually a semi-pleasant day, albeit a bit on the cool side at time. We survived and actually I think 117 of us plinked, plunked, or drove the snot out of the ball off our designated starting holes at just before 0800 this morning. Even if we started on time, however, we still manage to stretch these affairs out quite a bit so that the round easily lasts more than 5 hours for some. Others seem to finish in under 4 hours at times. Can't understand that. It's always good to attempt to hit into the group ahead of you (not really) meaning that you're at least keeping up with the Jones's, or whatever that team is called. However, because of the way this course is laid out, those teams having to start on #9 or #10 were at a serious disadvantage since those tees are at least a quarter mile from the clubhouse so that means it takes a long time to get there and an equally long time to get back.

The greens on this course are rather benign, meaning there's not a lot of evident break to them, although the unlucky team that I was privileged to toil with found at least a half dozen malignant greens with atrocious breaks that broke our hearts on simple 3-4 foot putts. It was positively uncanny how 4 grown (probably groan) adults could miss such easy putts from such a ridiculous distance, although the 3 or 4 guys that I regularly play with can attest that a miss on a putt that length is just like death and taxes for me.

The course was in pretty good shape for this early in the year although once again we're doomed to playing on shaved fairways where hitting the ball first just before the bottom of your perfect swing (yeah right!) is a must. The greens were pretty fast, too fast for blacksmith hands that our team was doomed with. No Midas touch in our group.

Results:

Flight "A"

In First running away with the whole shootin' match was the Jack Eckhard, Ted Schuessler, and Randy Pratt team who carded an amazing -12 (60). Because of the last minute changes that had to be made because of 5 people not showing up for various reasons, and the Commish not being present to herd folks (cats) together into some semblance of team order we decided to leave the resulting 3-somes as such. Turns out there were approximately 19 3-somes. That may have been a determining factor in Jack's team coming out with the low score, although it's my understanding that Jack putted as he's never, ever, ever putted, to which some of his normal golfing buddies can attest. Congrats guys.

In Second, and only by a stroke mind you, was the Joe Jarvis, John Dierker, Ernie South, and Ron Ruffin team who shot the blazing -11 (61) to the amazement of the rest of the field. Of course Ernie South hitting from the out-of-sight front tees can be rather devastating to the rest of us. Oh yeah, Jarvis, upon reaching the 3/4th of the century mark last year can also hit from those illegally placed tees. Nice score guys.

And in Third came the Rich Graeff, Jack Reiner, and Bert Schott team with a blistering -8. Graeff has been known to give grief about the pairings, but after this showing he's probably going to back off some from this observation. I hope he had a good day.

Jeff Delaplain's team finished next with a fine 65 (-7) while the Steve Dierker and Joe Cernich teams both posted 66's.

Flight "B"

Four teams tied with -5 (67's). In First winning the scorecard playoff (hole #15, if anyone's keeping track), was the Earl Philips, Ed de la Pena, Lee Hanson, and Don Congleton team.

In Second next was the Paul Pals, Larry Amen, Karson Kosowski (welcome back Karson), and Bob Pankey team.

And in Third was the Don Bratcher, John Boyd, Bob Edwards and Bob Stephenson team.

In Fourth with the 67, but losing out in the playoff, was the Jack Panula team. Four teams shot 68's to anchor the B Flight scoring. The Joe McDaniels team that couldn't sink a %^&*#$%ing 3 foot putt, the Bob Haddad team, the Art Soble team and the Jerry Mullen team.

Flight "C"

In First, Topping out this flight and vying with 5 other teams at 69, was the Bob Day, Harry Trammel, Del Lohmann, and Glenn Morgan foursome.

Next in Second was the Don Giarraffa, Mark Gordon, Tom Gill and Dave Buesse team.

And in Third, with the identical 69 score, was the Paul Rivard, Dennis Swift, Don Schmidt, and Bill Heidbreder team.

Also with 69's, but out of the running because of the SCP, were the Steve Comfort, Charley Wilson, and Larry Willman teams. The Dennis Rumley, Pete Grouzos, and Tom Wulf teams all shot 70's to even out the C flight.

Fight "D"

Three teams shot one-under 71's but in First winning the scorecard playoff was the Bruce Schnelle, Ron Smith, Ron Martens, and Jerry White team.

Next in Second was the Bob Gay, Bob Eddy, Livingston Sykes and George Eickhoff team.

And in Third, was the Darryl Rue, Alan Schaeffer, and Bill Howell team.

Two teams carded even par 72's and were rewarded with surprise visits by their sisters for the ceremonial kiss; the Jim Hawkes team and the Bill Clark team.

One team shot a +1 for the day, the Bob Franke team.

And two teams eked out a +3 for the round; the Pierre Sans Souci team and the Jim Mead team.

Awards;

Closest to the pins for the day: #3 Pete Grouzos #7 Ed de la Pena #11 Jim Hawkes #13 Pete Grouzos #17 Randy Pratt (it was short, wasn't it Randy?? One more %$^&*@ Wheatie flake and you'd have reached immortality)

Skins: zero, zip, nada