April 17, 2014 Results
Finally, after an interminable winter, 117 of us teed it up at The Missouri Bluffs for the 200th annual ACS golf opener. Originally, as of Sunday when the pairings were published, we were supposed to be 132 souls, but due to some (at least 2 that we're aware of) medical emergencies, a plumbing disaster, and various and sundry other excuses, we lost 15 players for the outing. To allay any concerns as far as we know the medical emergencies are on the not so serious side and those folks will be with us in the near future. So, as a favor to poor Larry Knopfel who has to run around at the last minute and make many, many changes to the pairings while we wait on the launch pad, could you please plan your medical emergencies at least 5 days in advance so we can operate more smoothly?
During the off-season we did some recruiting and managed to shake the weeds for a few new golfers who could contribute more enjoyment to our outings. We scared up a total of 17 new players most of whom showed up yesterday. These guys were recommended by existing players and most, but not all of them, enjoyed the luxury of playing with their acquaintances. We tried to recognize the new players afterward but may have missed some. Here is a list of the newbies that played yesterday; Jim Akers, Dale Issak, Paul Kinser, Ralph Buettner, Jerry Smith, Tom Fichter, Glenn Morgan, Bubba Watson, Bill Gust, Bill Houston, Sonny Javier, Brian Kennedy, Ron Ruffin, Lon Schwake, and Dean Brandon. Welcome aboard to all.
Anyway, at long last the moment arrived for us to begin our latest golfing adventure. The weather actually cooperated at The Bluffs and although the temps were on the testy side we managed to venture off and swing mightily at cold golf balls, which especially in my case, give notoriously lousy results in the distance department. Some smarter individuals dressed for the elements and I'm sure survived the early spring teases. Some dressed to the point of clever disguises, coming to mind was one Charley Wilson whose parka and skull cap made him virtually stealthful and probably confused his very capable partner, one John Dierker, who might've wondered who in the heck was riding with him.
Afterwards the MOC (aka Randy "the" Pratt) gave a comedic anecdote about the round stating that one Joe Goines had taken a tumble in the trap on #5, something Randy had never ever seen before. Either Joe didn't hear the story or he was not amused by it because of his puzzled look. However, however, just before this story Joe confided in me that a certain person in the group behind his group had a propensity for hitting into him during the round. This might be the explanation for the gymnastics in the trap. Joe was probably taking the closest cover fearing that Randy was about to unleash one of his long approaches and the safest area would be the trap since Pratt never, ever lands in the sand. I think they left the day on friendly terms.
The course was in great shape, the fairways weren't shaved to within an inch of their lives and the greens were quite good. The one thing that amazes me about this course is the fact that no matter the hole that you're playing you really don't see much of any other hole on the course. That doesn't mean you can't hear other players however. I did catch a few exclamations by The Wulfman during the round but I'm sure he was at least 3 holes away.
Enough of the fabricated information, now for the results.
Results:
Flight "A"
All alone in First,probably because of their intimidation of the team in front of them, was the Randy Pratt, John Boyd, Sonny Javier, and Ron Ruffin team who closed out the day with a -8 (63) score. Very good shooting guys on a course that can play long with fairways cut to within an 1/8th of an inch of their lives. Darn I don't like tight lies.
In Second overall with a very nice -7(64) was the John Dierker, Charley (Stealth) Wilson, Lou Pessoni, and Bob Pahmeier team. Accuracy, distance, and an Italian, what more can you ask for.
In Third, with a -6(65) was the Ed de la Pena, Joe Pfeifer, Dennis Shannon, and Larry Willman team. Any team with a guy named Willman on it is going to finish in the money - guaranteed! It also helps to have Mr. de la Pena hitting from the way up front tees, especially on #12.
Also finishing in A flight but out of the top 3 was the Bob Edwards team (-4) and the Dee Ridenhour team (-4).
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Flight "B"
Five teams finished First with the low score -3 (68) in this flight. Using the tie breaker hole (#18), it was determined that the John Prather, Paul Kinser, George Blaney, and Don Congleton team came in first in the flight. Blaney and Congleton used to play in the ACS but took a few years off to regain their faculties and came back raring to play again. Good to have you back guys.
In Second place with the identical score was the Frank Vien, Harold Lindahl, Ron Muse and Pete Grouzos team.
In Third,place in B flight was the Jack Panula, Lowell Barnes and Dan Snowden team with the -3 score.
The two other teams with the -3 score were the Paul Rivard and Jack Eckhard team. The Jack Eckhard team, as a group of adults and worshippers of this game we love so dearly, all missed a less than 3 foot putt on #5 and thus doomed themselves to mediocrity for the day.
One team, the Tom Gill squad, shot a -2. And 3 teams tied with a -1 score; the Al Rosenberg team, the Bill Heidbreder team, and the Bob Stephenson team.
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Flight "C"
Three teams tied for first at even par (71) for the lead in C Flight. Taking First overall because of the tiebreaker was the Ted Isringhause, Jim Akers, Brian Cox, and Del Lohmann team.
In Second was the Tom Murphy, Doug Torrie, Dean Brandon, and Bob Checkley team.
In Third was the Bob Thibodeaux, Jim Hawkes, John Ross and Bob Pankey team.
Three teams finished with 72's to round out the C Flight; the Bert Schott team, the George Eickhoff team and the Dan Ottoline team.
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Flight "D"
Six teams vied for first in the flight with a +2 (73) score. First with Winning the scorecard playoff was the Dennis Terhaar, Tom Fichter, Larry Knopfel and Bill Houston team. Just because the Commissioner wins a flight doesn't mean the results are rigged, believe me.
In Second with the 73 was the Ernie South, Jim Mead, Dave Buesse, and Charlie Fischer team.
In Third with the 73 was the Joe Goines, Ron Martens, Gene Erard and Joe Cernich team.
The other three teams with the 73, but out of the running because of the scorecard playoff, were the Wayne Warneke team, the Harold Howard team, and the Dennis O'Connor team.
The Lee Hanson team managed a +3 (74) . The Dave Gillett and the Mark Bryant teams shot +4 (75's) and the high score of the day (78) didn't give a lot of comfort to the Steve Comfort team, but don't feel sorry for him, he pulled his usual stunt and won at least two lottery draws.
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Awards:
Closest to the pins for the day: #2 Jack Reiner #6 Ron Ruffin #8 Paul Pals #14 George Eickhoff #17 Ed de la Pena
Skins: #5 Harold Howard team with an eagle (quite a feat) #7 Dee Ridenhour team