FBGC Championship - Spring 2021

We're at the new Esplanade at Azario down in Lakewood Ranch. Again, this is not the course where Tall Mike won the Championship last season, giving Gorecki a case of the sniffles.

This is slightly east of that course. We've never been there. Give yourself some extra time to figure it out. Tee time is 9:33am.

Ho has played it a few times, and was nice enough to get us booked and a stellar deal ($65 plus tax). The pro down there called me, and mentioned twice that he had us set up with the "special rate, instead of $129." So apparently they have sellers remorse, and were hoping we'd bail so they could fill the tee sheet with more expensive rounds.

Ho has also reported that the course is rated way too low (easy). This happens when new courses open, and we saw the consequences of this when we played Lakewood National (Piper) — seven pitching were owed that day. The initial rating system, preformed by the FSGA, is broken. Eventually it'll get buffed as rounds are recorded in the World Handicap database (not ours, suckers!)... but for now we have to use the ratings provided.

Katie is on the RED tees. Guys are initially set to WHITE. Many of you are going to want to move back to the BLUE tees... so make a comment and let me know.

Azario Scorecard

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Couple of rules texts I received last round:

• If you attempt to hit a ball but fail to make contact... it's still a stroke. Even if the ball doesn't move. Key word is "attempt." You've probably seen Tiger (RIP) bail out of a swing last second because a shadow moved. That wasn't a stroke because he purposefully stopped his swing and didn't attempt to make contact.
  

• You're allowed to get relief from a sprinkler head that is IN YOUR LINE OF PLAY if an only if the following 4 conditions are met:

1. The ball must lie through the green (not in a bunker or water hazard); and
2. The immovable obstruction (sprinkler head) must be on or within two club-lengths of the putting green; and
3. The immovable obstruction must be within two club-lengths of the ball; and
4. The immovable obstruction must intervene on the line of play between the ball and the hole.

So if you're putting from way off the green (say... 20 feet), and there's a sprinkler between you and the hole... you don't get to move your ball.

See you Sunday.

FBGC - Memberships

People are asking... so let's talk about Memberships.

 

If you think this post is too long... have your wife's boyfriend read it out loud when he tucks you into bed at night.

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While we started out as a "league" in 2011, we long ago transitioned into a Club. Why is this important? Because we still have status with the USGA as an Authorized Golf Club. They required us to create By-Laws, a Handicap Review Board, and pass yearly tests (which I continue to do). Golf's governing bodies want all players in Clubs, and they want those Clubs to be organized.

One could argue that none of this is necessary. But from my perspective, the well-oiled machine doesn't operate without taking things somewhat seriously. Any ounce of "who gives a shit" only adds rust to the cogs. Which is why we created the Board of Directors — hopefully always populated by people who have shits to give.

Part of the USGA requirements was to set a maximum number of Memberships (minimum is 10 by their decree). It can be any number we want, as long as we host enough events so each Member has a reasonable opportunity to record multiple rounds with peer-verification, as well as partake in non-golf "cohesion activities." I set this number at 24 Members, because:

1) It was my best guess at how large we could get without me wasting spending countless hours manually processing results, stats, schedules, handicaps, trips, and "special needs/requests."

2) Six foursomes was thought be the right size for most courses to offer a discount, without private courses pushing us out until the afternoon.

In hindsight, the correct number was probably 20 Members. But whatever... we're locked in at 24, and that isn't going to change any time soon.

We currently have 21 official Members, and 4+ guys who have expressed interest in joining. Per our By-Laws, prospective members must jump through a lot of hoops:

• Be publicly sponsored by a current Member in good standing.
• Play in at least 5 Club events as a guest.
• Pass an initial Board vote, receiving 3/5ths affirmative to proceed to a general Club vote.
• Receive at least 75% affirmative votes in the general Club vote, with at least 3/5ths of current Membership partaking in the vote.
• Not be named any variation of "Mike" (lol jk?)
  

Five people have made it through this extremely high standard. But why make it so difficult? Because your fellow Club Members are the people you hang out with on Sundays after begging your WAGs to leave the house. They're who you compete against. Who you win/lose money to. Who you sit next to in a cart for 4+ hours. Who you share a house/room/bathroom with at the Rapture and other trips. Membership is basically the most important aspect, and yet we've never had 100% voter turnout.

 

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Unfortunately, at least one current prospective member isn't going to make it (again, only three open spots). Theoretically, all of them could fail to earn enough votes. The Sponsors should have already communicated something to this effect, regardless of knowing the exact voting thresholds. If they didn't, it might be time to send some of them to FBGC Re-Education Camp.

 

In any case... Cy Young, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, and Whitey Ford all didn't make the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. It took Bill Gates years to receive an Augusta National invitation after inquiring about a membership (something they frown upon). Dave may never be allowed to join Pine Valley due to his inability to pay Adam $252.

How current Members vote on Prospectives is an individual choice. The Club has given no official guidance, as it would be inappropriate to do so. Our Membership cap is strictly about keeping things manageable.

Of course, we have open spots basically every week. If someone doesn't make the voting threshold this year, they're always welcome to keep filling in. Hopefully the guests are having a good time playing more golf on a wide variety of courses — despite not officially partaking in our prestigious events.

Match Play - Spring 2021 Recap

Troy just won his 3rd event in a row, a feat that has only been accomplished two previous times in Club history (Darren - Spring 2015, Chandler - Summer 2015). While everyone is still mathematically alive for the season title, Troy basically has one ass-cheek on a chair at the Champions Dinner. 

 

Geoff (who also played well yesterday) is the only realistic challenger. Unfortunately, expecting Geoff to close out anything in golf is a foolish proposition. Back-9 Geoff lost by six yesterday, failing to make a par on the final seven holes — shooting +14 (gross) during that stretch.

Only three times in Club history has someone won 3 events and failed to get their name on the Cup: Geoff - Summer 2013, Chandler - Spring 2016, Gorecki - Summer 2020.

Mark it down... it's over.

All that being said, whatever Troy did yesterday is quite remarkable. Big Cypress was extremely difficult, with the fastest (and best) greens we're going to see all year. Those two things are mutually exclusive, by the way. But due to the gusty conditions, the green speed made putting near impossible on a few holes that weren't surrounded by trees. It was also amazing how many holes seemingly played directly into the 20-30mph wind.

None of this would lead you to believe Troy (or anyone else) was going to shoot -5 (net). But on tough courses, with uncomfortable conditions, sometimes keeping your ball in play is most important. The woods are filled with long-hitters. And the trees of Big Cypress collected a lot of balls yesterday.

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Nothing too exciting to note in the matches. Only Brendan's ghost match made it to the final hole. Gorecki shot his highest score (gross) in 3.5 years, leading to the only real beat-down (by Gary).

I made some drastic behind-the-scenes improvements to our Match Play documentation. Clicking on your Match Play record (on your personal profile) now shows your head-to-head records with every Club Member (non-ghost matches). Enjoy.

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I only saw JW buy a pitcher yesterday. We now have 15 pitchers owed in the bank, with some of you racking them up at a record pace. Let's get those paid out this week. Usually after Esplanade we head to Truman's Tap & Grill, which has cheap beer. Assuming COVID didn't kill it.

 

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We're playing down at the new Esplanade course this weekend. Ho was nice enough to set it all up for us, so give him some props. I've never been there, but I will have a bunch of info for you on Wednesday. In the meantime, UPDATE YOUR RSVP. And let me know if any of the guests are playing.

Speaking of... info on prospective Membership and voting will be posted tomorrow.

Match Play - Spring 2021 Preview

Hope all you lovebirds had a nice, soggy, week off. We're back this week with Match Play out at Big Cypress in Lakeland. 

 

I've been trying to get us on this course — unsuccessfully — for over a year now. It's probably Ron Garl's second best course in the area (behind Eaglebrooke). Other designs by ol' Ron that we've played include: Bloomingdale, University Park, Huntington Hills, Northdale, Rogers Park, Lansbrook, Summerfield Crossings, Babe Zaharias, The Eagles, and Buffalo Creek.

Guess what? This course is actually kept up really nice. And it contains all the swamp and trees your Ron Garl Fan Club hearts desire.

Situated in a 55+ retirement trailer park (not an exaggeration), you're in for a pretty tough challenge. Dave snuck out for a practice round last Friday and reported: "course is in great shape and very challenging... greens were the fastest I've played this year... we will see some huge numbers"

First tee time is 9:15am-ish... just be ready to go by then. Rate is $52 plus tax, and the Director of Golf (Allen Tener) said they'd throw in range balls. So if you're told otherwise, drop that name.

The problem with Big Cypress, like most Ron Garl courses, is it doesn't drain well. HOPEFULLY the rain that comes through this week is spotty. We should have perfect weather on Sunday (sunny and low 70s).

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In Match Play we pair up against players based on standing. The winner of your 80% allowance match gets a bonus 100 points (50 for a tie). Unfortunately, I'm not going to have the pairings completed until late Saturday night. Three of our guys have a pool tournament, and if they play well Saturday they'll be skipping golf on Sunday.

 

We also have 5 guests playing, so that'll be another variable which makes pairings difficult.

Regardless, you people need to arrive early on Sunday. There's a gate and I'll be emailing your names to hopefully speed up the check-in process. Be sure to check the scorecard/pairings sheet on this blog Sunday morning.

Guys are on the GREEN (6,100ish) tees. Katie on RED (4,800ish). While there is one set of tees behind the greens, you don't want to play it (6,700ish).

See you Sunday.

The Concussion - Spring 2021 Recap

Troy owns The Groves. In three events at that course, he has 2 decisive wins and a 10th (of 18). It's also back-to-back wins for Troy... putting him on the inside track to joining the Champions Dinner. While six seasons have crowned a Champion with 1 or 2 victories... you historically need that 3rd to lock it up. Although... people have won three events and still not hoisted the Cup.

Casey played a near flawless round to tie for the victory, recording four bogeys and the rest pars on the day. His game doesn't seem to fit this course, but he did finish 2nd here a year ago... so maybe he's more versatile than we give him credit.

 

Geoff was also in the mix until he realized the he had three holes remaining, and went full implode mode. Faz reports this was Geoff's best ever gross score — to par — by three strokes! Casey also had his best ever gross score to par.

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After three straight seasons at The Groves, we can safely say the course is perfect for this event. But I'm a man that likes variety, so I'm still planning on returning to Countryway at some point... and hopefully another course I've had my eye on.

But The Groves was good. Conditions were borderline great. The weather cleared up just as our last group was teeing off, and it turned into really enjoyable day — capped off by a seemingly improbable Buccaneer beat-down in the Super Bowl.

Thanks to everyone who bought pitchers to get the party started a little early.

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When you finish a round, I need the scorekeepers to do a couple of things:

1) Add up your damn scores. Front, back and total. Some of you are lazy and don't add them up... which means you're NOT actually checking to see if they're correct.

2) Compare those scores to the app. Either on this blog or within GolfGameBook... click on each player in the group and make sure the total gross is the same.

We have had mistakes EVERY tournament so far this year. Dave dropped two spots post-round on Sunday due to errors in the app. This is why pros get DQ'd for signing incorrect scorecards.

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We are OFF this weekend, so the Westchase Whipped can brunch with their Valentine's dates.

 

In two weeks we have Match Play at Big Cypress — another retirement community in a trailer park. I was there in late December and their greens were some of the best I've ever seen in the area. Assuming we don't get a ton of rain between now and February 21st, it should be awesome.

Match Play is a scheduling nightmare, since we have to pair up. So update your RSVPs now. And tell me which of the 4 regular guests are in.

See you in two weeks.

Week 4 - The Concussion Preview

We're back for a week... with a little tournament we call "The Concussion."

For the new guys, this is where we play a short-course... a chance to give the driver a rest and show-off our exemplary short-game.

We're at The Groves in Land O' Lakes again (Countryway is apparently trash right now). 9am tee time. You'll be done in 3-ish hours assuming you aren't playing behind the two taller Mikes.

They do have a range, so arrive early. Guys are on the tips (BLUE), and Katie is one up on the WHITES.

This will be the last event before we retire the ol' Randomizer.

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Came across a couple of good graphics from the USGA regarding "unplayable" balls and hazard drops. Any time I get a question I'll be texting you one of these images. So get to know them!

Bunker Drops:

Unplayable Drops:

Red Hazard Drops:

 

Notice how it's based on where the ball CROSSED the hazard. Not where the ball splashed. Some of you need a reminder of this...

 

Yellow Hazard Drops (aka: most water running across the course):