Wednesday, June 30, 2010

2nd Annual League Scramble a Smashing Success!

For the first time in league history, the mid-summer classic - also known as the league scramble - went off without a single hitch. Golfers frolicked in the sun at a brisk pace, scores went to historically low levels, much laughter and good-natured back slapping could be witnessed on the course, good food was digested, and the evening was topped off with gumdrops, lollipops, and a dazzling fireworks display!

Golfers were unanimously delighted with the results, as the top performers modestly thanked their lucky stars, and those who couldn't claim the top spot this year responded with bold and witty prognostications about next year's results. Also, there was cotton candy.

Upon conclusion of a bountiful buffet provided by the local golf club, the most accomplished of the golfers were singled out for their stellar performances. Rousing ovations and “huzzahs” were observed for the following individual feats:
  • On Glenway's third hole, team captain MIKE KRAUS astounded as he holed a shot that traveled a longer distance than any other holed shot.
  • On the long and difficult fourth hole, young MIKE WARREN struck a tee shot of improbable distance and accuracy, a better combination than any other!
  • On the tree-shrouded sixth hole, PATRICK McEVILLY THE SENIOR managed a skilled tee shot which traveled past several potentially treacherous hazards and ended its journey on the green, very close to its desired resting place!
  • On the seventh hole – a dog-legged tangle of trees and hills – young master PAUL SCHUETTLER skillfully placed his second strike onto the green at a lesser distance to the hole than any other golfer!
These gentlemen were feted by their colleagues and they could barely keep pace with the congratulatory pints of ale that flowed their ways. Also, they had ice cream. With sprinkles.

Finally, the team results of the scramble were tabulated and announced. And what could be better than four men being crowned league scramble victors for an entire year? Well, the answer - believe it or not – is EIGHT men being crowned victors, and that is exactly what happened! In a true miracle of the golf gods, the KRAUS and McGETTIGAN teams (or McGETTIGAN and KRAUS teams, if that's your persuasion) finished the course with the exact same number of strokes – 29, three below par for the course! Scramble organizers scrambled (indeed!) to research the available tie breakers. Tie breaker after tie breaker was evaluated but, after each, neither of the two behemoths would stand down. Once the tie breakers were exhausted, it was perfectly clear that not the slightest hair separated the performances of this modern day Monitor and Merrimack.

At the announcement that the scramble had ended in a dead heat, the eight victors were encircled by the remaining partygoers, who chanted several rounds of “Hip! Hip! Hooray!!”

As the crowd reeled from the excitement of the championship finish, the results for the third place finish were learned, and they mirrored those for first place! The NELSON and DVORAK teams finished in their own dead heat, at two strokes under par for the course. More congratulatory back-patting commenced, until all were exhausted from the celebration.

There was, however, just enough remaining energy and glee for patron Shawn McGettigan to lead the merrymakers in a boisterous round of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," in appreciation of your humble servant - the league commissioner. The gratitude was graciously received and returned to the singing golfers.

The exciting results are below.

Strokes123456789Score
Kraus32244343429
McGettigan33244342429
Dvorak33344243430
Nelson43244343330
Miller33344343431
McEvilly43345243432
Wolfe44335343433
Moritz43344443433
Williams44344352534
Loescher33455354537

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

League Scramble - June 29

If you're looking for first half results, scroll down after you read this.

The 2nd Annual League Scramble and Cookout will be held next Tuesday night. Team tee times are posted up there in the corner.

I will be collecting $11 for the cookout as you come off the course Tuesday. I got payment from nine of you this week. If you will not be attending the cookout, please let me know so I can give Bill a head count. The $11 covers brats, burgers, potato salad, beans, chips, dessert, tax, and tip. It does not cover your beverages. Food will be served around 7:30/7:45.

For those of you unfamiliar with the "scramble" format, the rules are as follows:
  1. Each foursome plays as a team and keeps one score for the team (including putts).
  2. After each golfer tees off, the team picks one shot to play next, and each golfer hits from there. The three people whose shots won't be used should retrieve their balls and drop within a club-length of the ball chosen to be played, but if the ball you are playing is in the rough or a hazard you must play from that rough or hazard. You may improve your lie (winter rules).
  3. Follow this same procedure until your team holes out.
  4. When putting, the first person puts a mark down to identify where the others should putt from if the first person misses.
  5. At least one tee shot from each golfer in the foursome must be used on one of the nine holes. You do not need to decide whose tee shot is to be used until after everybody has teed off on a hole, unless you are forced to use a specific golfer’s tee shot on holes 7, 8, or 9 because you have not used one of their tee shots yet.
There will be cash prizes for the top 3 foursomes. The tie breakers are as follows, in order of priority:
  1. Most birdies
  2. Least bogeys
  3. Fewest putts
  4. Fewest total strokes on the five par 4 holes

There will also be four "regular" holes prizes:
  • Longest holed shot (putt or chip) on #3
  • Longest drive in fairway on #4
  • Closest to the pin (on the green) in 1 shot on #6
  • Closest to the pin in 2 shots (on the green) on #7
Results from last year's scramble are posted here.

First Half Recap

Three weeks' worth of match-ups were decided in a single round last night, and there was a lot of movement at the top of the standings.

When last we checked, the Nelson team was holding a 5.5 point lead over the field at the end of week 6. Based on last night's results, that lead was cut to 1.5 points in week 7 by the Moritz team, with the McEvilly team only 2 points behind.

Week 8 saw the Moritz team take over the top spot with 31 points to Nelson's 30.5, while the Kraus team stood at 30 and McEvilly at 29.5. That means, going into last night's match-ups, there were only 1.5 points separating the top four teams.

Before we get to the final results, though, I'd like to remind you all that the league scramble is next Tuesday. Remember, we're playing as teams, and the tee times are posted over on the right side there. Like last year, I gave my team the first tee time so I can finish and take care of business. The rest of the tee times were divined using a random number generator. If you don't like your draw, blame your karma. I'll have another, separate post (that McGettigan won't read) about the scramble, the rules, and the cookout. I collected cookout money from 9 of you last night. I will catch the rest of you next when you finish your round. If you don't plan to stay for the cookout, please let me know ahead of time so I can help Bill with a head count.

Oh yeah, final results. So, the league leading Moritz team needed just to hang on. Could they do it? Nope. Only 2.5 points last night left them with 33.5 as they dropped to 4th.

The other three contenders did pretty well, with 4, 5, and 5.5 points. While the Kraus team leapfrogged Moritz, they couldn't get higher than 34 points and a 3rd place finish.

Being a math whiz, you've already figured out the winner. The two remaining contenders - Nelson and McEvilly - had scores of 5 and 5.5 last night. However, the Nelson team led McEvilly by a full point after 8 weeks, and only a half-point separated them last night. Therefore, no matter which score belonged to McEvilly, it wasn't enough to make up the one point deficit, clearly identifying the Nelson team as the first half champs! (And that is how you make a rain-out marred pennant race exciting -and confusing.)

Congrats to the Nelson team, who now take a break to win the scramble and await their second-half foes. All the results and standings and crap will be posted as soon as I can get to it. Since last night's storm knocked out our DSL modem, I cannot do it from home.

Edit: Here, then, are the top four finishers. Everybody's at zero again starting next week!

35.5 Brad Nelson
35.0 Pat McEvilly
34.0 Mike Kraus
33.5 Bob Moritz

Monday, June 21, 2010

Week 9 Pairings - June 22

Voice mail received by me last Tuesday: "Dave - do not cancel golf. Do not cancel golf. This is God. Do not cancel golf." Sadly, the course closed as it was unplayable and I'm fairly sure I will be smote Tuesday.

So, here's how it's going to play out this week: The forecast is going to call for rain. The radar is going to look ugly. We're going to play. We're going to get wet. Having had two straight rainouts, we're going to play as long as the course is open and they can safely send us out. Plan for the weather.

The league scramble is next week. The cost for the post-golf cookout will be about $11. I'll start collecting this week. It includes brats, burgers, potato salad, beans, chips, and dessert. The $11 includes tax and tip. I'll have tee times up in the next day or two.

Please be mindful of your pace! KEEP UP WITH THE GROUP AHEAD OF YOU. Pace has been dreadful the last couple times out. Last we played, the final group came in at 8:50. It should never take 2:50 to play Glenway!

4:52 & 5:00 Moritz vs. Loescher
Paul Schuettler 13
Ed Molter 17
Tom Hidde 14
Rob Zimmerman 24
Bob Moritz 14
John Lobe 30
Steve Moritz 9
John Loescher 17





5:07 & 5:15 Nelson vs. McGettigan
Steve McDonnell 10
Scott Gomez 10
Brad Nelson 18
Shawn McGettigan 13
A Tomaszewski 20
Tom Weber 23
Mike Williams 9
Chris Weber 8





5:22 & 5:30 Kraus vs. Miller
Andy Taylor 13
David Miller 13
Mike Kraus 13
Ed Meachen 13
Steve Smith 16
Charlie Hoslet 15
Lynn Paulson 6
Doug Hoerr 12





5:37 & 5:46 Dvorak vs. Williams
Will Nagel (V) 14
Matt Blouin 16
Matt Raymer (V) New
Ron Weiss 23
Jeff Dvorak 13
Bob Crowe 18
Jeff Wirth (MW) 9
Dave Rieves 6





5:53 & 6:00 Wolfe vs. McEvilly
David Wolfe 17
Pat McEvilly 12
Adam Hopkins 19
Herb Stanford 27
Mike Sanders 18
Ed Corcoran 17
Paul Barnett 13
Dave Delveaux 9

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Weather Update - 4:05 p.m.

4:05
Glenway is unplayable due to being waterlogged and they have closed the course for today. League is canceled yet again. See you next Tuesday.


3:15
Dave at Glenway and I are watching the radar, waiting for the storm to break up. So far it's not happening.

We'll make a decision at 4:00. Look here or call Glenway to find out if we're golfing. I'm thinking of moving the league to Arizona so we can play once in a while.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Week 8 Pairings, June 15

Here comes week 8 of the first half. The league scramble is in two weeks. Look for more news soon. The cost for the post-golf cookout will be about $11. I'll start collecting this week.

This week, the real two best golfers in the league - Dave Rieves and Lynn Paulson - square off against each other. Scores this week will also count toward week 7 match-ups. It's going to have to thunder and lightning hella-hard for me to call league again this week.

Please be mindful of your pace. KEEP UP WITH THE GROUP AHEAD OF YOU. Pace has been dreadful the last couple times out. Last we played, the final group came in at 8:50. It should never take 2:50 to play Glenway!

4:52 & 5:00 Wolfe vs. Nelson
David Wolfe 17
Steve McDonnell 10
Mitch Cumsteen
18
Brad Nelson 18
Adam Hopkins 19
A Tomaszewski 20
Paul Barnett 13
Mike Williams 9





5:07 & 5:15 Williams vs. Kraus
Matt Blouin 16
Andy Taylor 13
Bob Crowe 18
Mike Kraus 13
Ron Weiss 23
Steve Smith 16
Dave Rieves 6
Lynn Paulson 6





5:22 & 5:30 Dvorak vs. McEvilly
Jeff Dvorak 13
Pat McEvilly 12
Vacant

Herb Stanford 27
Mike Warren 10
Ed Corcoran 17
Matt Raymer (V) New
Dave Delveaux 9





5:37 & 5:46 McGettigan vs. Moritz
Scott Gomez 10
Paul Schuettler 13
Shawn McGettigan 13
Tom Hidde 14
Tom Weber 23
Bob Moritz 14
Chris Weber 8
Steve Moritz 9





5:53 & 6:00 Miller vs. Loescher
David Miller 13
Ed Molter 17
Ed Meachen 13
Rob Zimmerman 24
Charlie Hoslet 15
John Lobe 30
Doug Hoerr 12
John Loescher 17

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

&^%$%&*(&*(@#@ Thunderstorms!!!!

It's raining now and there are thunderstorms forecast for 7:00 on, so there will be no golf league tonight. It looks like Wednesday and Thursday would be fantastic nights for golf, though. See you next Tuesday.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Week 7 Pairings - June 8

Sorry for the late posting. Blogger.com would not let me add any new posts for the past day. I'd ask for my money back if it weren't free. Below are Tuesday night's match-ups.

The weather could get dicey (60% chance of rain right now). Remember, as long as the course is open, we play. If there is a chance for lightning, Bill will not let us go out. On Sunday night, I got held up before I teed off because it was raining (with thunder and lightning). 15 minutes later, I teed off and played 18 holes without seeing rain. It all depends on what the radar shows. Please call the golf course to find out whether we are playing, but plan on playing.

4:52 & 5:00 Miller vs. Dvorak
David Miller 13
Jeff Dvorak 13
Ed Meachen 13
Will Nagel 14
Charlie Hoslet 15
Matt Raymer New
Doug Hoerr 12
Mike Warren 10





5:07 & 5:15 McEvilly vs. Nelson
Pat McEvilly 12
Steve McDonnell 10
Herb Stanford 27
A Tomaszewski 20
Ed Corcoran 17
Brad Nelson 18
Dave Delveaux 9
Mike Williams 9





5:22 & 5:30 Moritz vs. Williams
Paul Schuettler 13
Matt Blouin 16
Tom Hidde 14
Bob Crowe 18
Bob Moritz 14
Ron Weiss 23
Steve Moritz 9
Dave Rieves 6





5:37 & 5:46 Loescher vs. Wolfe
Ed Molter 17
David Wolfe 17
John Lobe 24
Mike Sanders 18
Rob Zimmerman 30
Adam Hopkins 19
John Loescher 17
Paul Barnett 13





5:53 & 6:00 Kraus vs. McGettigan
Andy Taylor 13
Scott Gomez 10
Mike Kraus 13
Shawn McGettigan 13
Steve Smith 16
Tom Weber 23
Lynn Paulson 6
Chris Weber 8

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Week 6 Recap

Results and Standings are now posted. The Nelson team hangs onto their lead through six weeks. Lots of low scores on Tuesday - there were birdies this week by Lynn Paulson (1), Steve Moritz (2), Dave Rieves (6), Tom Hidde (8), and Paul Williams (9).

Here are the current contenders for the Sy Brandt Sportsmanship award, and I think I have the formula right this time.
  1. Andy Tomaszewski 11.88
  2. Mike Warren 11.13
  3. Brad Nelson 11.13
  4. Paul Schuettler 10.73
  5. Tom Weber 9.90
  6. Dave Wolfe 9.13
  7. Steve McDonnell 8.58
  8. Mike Williams 8.25
  9. Ed Corcoran 7.63
  10. Adam Hopkins 7.58