Oct 11,2018
October 11th, 2018, What sort of day was it? A day like all days, filled with those events that alter and illuminate our times ... and you were there."! Remember words of that ilk from Walter Cronkite on his show (You Were There) in the mid '50s? That's what happened yesterday at The Links at Dardenne. We shall never forget, right? The only thing missing from yesterday was moisture in the air - luckily.
I've played golf in cool weather before but not in insanely brutal conditions like we encountered on the flatlands of Dardenne. I left home with 3 layers of clothes encompassing my torso but quickly realized that was nowhere near enough protection. The next thing out of my golf bag, after a ball, tee, and club, was my rain jacket to provide wind protection. And there was wind, right? It seemed like every hole the wind was in the face or darn near. At least a 2 club wind, right? But when you're hitting driver you have no other choices - I'm not sure what you call two clubs beyond a driver; a spud gun perhaps. I've done that with a golf ball and believe me they really fly!!
But you know what as uncomfortable as it was with the wind and the sub-zero temps we had at least two stalwarts who showed up in shorts!!! Hats off to those two; Harold Lindahl and Don Moschenross. I did not see anyone else in shorts but perhaps there were, so sorry if I missed someone. However, I did notice that Harold and Don paid for their bravery with a nice set of blue knees after the round. Revisiting the topic, you know it's cold when Rich Graeff shows up in long pants. For years Rich would come to all events, rain or shine, in shorts and one had to wonder if he in fact did even own long pants - he does and he showed them off yesterday. Sanity strikes even the iron man.
As for the course, it was in very, very good shape. The fairways were great and the greens, although a bit pockmarked, were quite good. The only thing spoiling the course, was of course, the climate conditions we had to endure. We guessed the low score would not break the double digit plateau and that prediction was easily attained with the low score being a -7. But what was more amazing, given the conditions, was the high score for the day, just a +1!!! Kudos to all you Eskimos out there for sticking with it and finishing the day in spite of no seat heaters in the carts.
And at this time I think it appropriate that we pay respects to one Bob Haddad who used to play with us as a regular. Bob came out of "retirement" to team up with his old partner in a league from our work, one Bill Heidbreder, who cared enough to invite Bob along on this adventure at The Links. Unfortunately, the weather was lousy but Bob endured the round and was at the end with the rest of us frozen souls. Thanks for coming Bob.
Results: The playoff hole was #13, that rather dinky par 3 probably into that gale. Frozen golf balls, a stiff head wind, cold hands and cranky bodies all combine to produce short shots when you're trying to hit into greens, right?
Flight "A"
In First was a -7(65) and attained by the Tony Marietta, Mark Gordon, Steve Comfort, and Don Zugmaier team.
In Second was the Charley Wilson, Don Moschenross, Larry Riedisser, and Ernie South team at -6(66)
In Third was the Joe Cernich, Jack Eckhard, Tom Wulf, and Curt Opperman team at -6(66).
In Fourth was the Doug Torrie, Paul Villhard, Jerry Mullen, and Kevin Walsh team at -5(67).
Also at 67's, but out of the money were the Bert Schott team, the Ken Knarr team, the John Boyd team, the Bill Gust team, and the Ron Ruffin team.
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Flight "B"
Two teams vied for the lead in this flight at -4(68)
In First was the Tom Braun, Ron Smith, Tom Benedum, and John Prather team.
In Second was the Paul Rivard, Ron Muse, John O'Toole, and Frank Greening team.
Six teams recorded -3(69)
in Third was the Pete Grouzos, Steve Dierker, Jerry White and Max Saunders team
In Fourth was the Ralph Buettner, Bob Eubank, Lou Pessoni, and Russ Wall team.
Other squads at -3 were the Lee Readus team, the Jack Panula team, the Del Lohmann team, and the Jim Frost team.
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Flight "C"
Two teams had same score -2(70)
In First was the Tom Prinzi, Kerry Rockwell, Paul Sawchak, and Bob Checkley team
In Second was the Art Soble, Bob Hickey, and Jon Meyer team.
In Third at 71 was the Bob Edwards, Pick Williams, and Gary Dyhouse team
In Fourth also at 71 was the Jerry Kent, Bob Thibodeaux, Dave Hitt, and Eric Erkinnen team.
The Rick Hartmann and Harold Lindahl teams also shot 71's.
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Fight "D"
Three teams shot the low score for the flight, a sister-kissin' even par 72
In First was the Brian Kennedy, Dale Crittenden, Dee Ridenhour, and Frank Vien squad.
In Second was the Dave Buesse, Dennis Hoffman, George Eickhoff, and Karson Kosowski team
In Third was the Tim McCullen, Norbert Loebs, Mike Devereaux, and Bill Clark team at a +1(73).
In Fourth was
Also with a 73 and the pink ball award came the Bob Pahmeier team.
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Awards;
Closest to the pins for the day: #3 Brian Kennedy #7 Bob Pahmeier #11 Bob Meinhardt #13 Ron Smith #17 Don Moschenross (hey Don, with all those winnings you can afford long pants now)