FBGC Masters - Venue Set

For the first time in-season we're headed to Skyview on September 17th. They're giving us a $75+ rate, and were nice enough to squeeze us in (literally creating an extra tee time) before their members... starting at 8:28am. This is the course we used for Singles in last year's Rapture. Some of you need redemption.

We'll probably tee off before that time... so don't be late up there. Update your RSVPs so I can drop the extra tee-time if needed.

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In attempting to book this final round, here are the courses I reached out to:

Southern Dunes - couldn't get us out until afternoon due to another event

Lakewood National (2 courses) - would only let us book 3 days out and probably not until after noon

Esplanade - members only

Esplanade Azario - left two messages... crickets

Eaglebrook - 11:30am tee times at $100+

Reunion - could get us out at 11:45am at $95+ on Nicklaus course... I told him that was probably a little too late... but I had a good chat and we might be able to use them in the future

Waterlefe - still closed for renovations 

Seminole Lake - still on temporary greens due to renovations

All of this is to say... our list of "Major worthy courses" is quickly dwindling! Travis checked on River Strand earlier in the season and they said no. Saddlebrook is in bad shape at the moment as they prepare for a renovation. Scepter won't get back to me either.

I'm afraid we're going to be hosting Majors at Buffalo Creek soon...

Jamaican Open - Summer 2023 Recap

Wagwan, fellow golfers?

The early morning shotgun start at a fairly "unkempt" Lake Jovita is in the books, with Dear Leader (me!) winning for the first time in 12 events.

 

I could go into great detail about how courageous of a performance it was, keeping the wheels on after a triple on #1. Or how I overcame the adversity of being chased by Reid and Dave... the former attempting to win his national open... and both desperately fighting for King and Country.

I could talk about the back-to-back birdies on 10 and 11, with additional birdie lip-outs (kinda) on 12 and 13. Or blasting the actual flag (and flag stick) with a bad chip on 14, which saved at least one stroke. Or the 30+ foot putt for par on 16 after I thought I choked the event away.

I could also point out the victory was my record-extending 6th Jamaican Open championship.

A lesser man would tell these stories about himself... but not me. As a man of the people, I know why you're really here.

 

Pictured: not why you're here.

 

- Gary has now tied JW for the most consecutive tournaments without a victory (61).

- Adam got very close to adding his name to the list of people who have withdrawn at the turn. Off the top of my head, those who have walked off a course (for bad play and/or "other" concerns) are: JW, Darren, Gorecki (multiple times), Geoff, and Ho. Adam heroically decided to stick it out and was immediately rewarded with a few pars on the back nine.

- On my group's first hole (#18), Gorecki played the wrong tees (whites instead of greens) and proceeded to almost hit across the lake to the 9th green. A much harder shot... and I should have just let him do it.

 

- Dave set a new good course record of 77 (gross).

 

- Only two people are mathematically eliminated from contention after yesterday. Travis — with his zero points — and Danny, since he didn't play enough events to qualify for the FBGC Masters next month.

 

- The course was in much better shape than earlier this summer. But there's still a lot of dead patches in the fairways, and inexcusable thick rough which slows down play due to lost balls. The greens were decent, at least. Thanks again to Ho for getting us out.

 

- Even after the 8 pitchers I recorded as purchased yesterday, we still have over 20 in the hopper. We might do something about that at a Club party in the off-season... or at the Rapture Draft party. Or both. It's a long off-season, so I'm sure we'll figure out some fun things to do. We are a social club, after all.

 

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I've crunched the numbers on Rapture Captains... and just about everyone is still in the mix if they win the final two events. While Chandler (me, again!) is currently #1, he has the most points dropping off the final weeks of those at the top of the rankings.

My guess is Troy and Faz will be #1 and #2 captains. We'll have a much clearer picture after our event at Big Cypress.

 

Draft party will be Saturday, September 23rd at Gorecki's house. Mark your calendars.

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We're off this week for Labor Day. Our next tournament is at Big Cypress at 10am on September 10th. It's a make-up event from our previously rained out Major.

 

I have 16 rain checks which will get you half-off the $48 green fee. Those who are entitled to them are:

 

Dan

Dave

Casey

Topor

Travis

Chandler

Billy

Geoff

Reid

Adam

Faz

Gary

Moostie

John

Danny

Brendan

If you're on that list and playing September 10th... make sure you get the voucher from me before you pay. If you're not on that list... give me like $20 and I'll hook you up with a voucher... and use that money to repay someone unable to attend (ie: Travis). It'll save you $4 and everyone "wins."

Update your RSVP now to reflect if you're playing.

See you then.

Jamaican Open - Summer 2023 Preview

Tournament is now a shotgun start at 8am. Don't be late.

 

We are back to meaningful golf... with a tournament at Lake Jovita (South) in 100+ degree heat index on Sunday.

 

We've been here many times before. It wasn't in good shape all summer, so I'm hoping that has somehow miraculously changed. But shout-out to Ho for getting us on at a decent rate ($70).

Tee time is early at 8am.

 

Everyone is on WHITE unless you tell me otherwise. The 55/25 group can play white/greens combo if they want. Let me know!

The Concussion - Summer 2023 Recap

Dan won his third ever tournament, snapping an 8-year winless streak (36 events)... a stat that may never be broken. His five birdies (two of which were chip-ins) and an eagle on the final hole led to a -2 (gross) performance, just three weeks after another potential victory was washed away with rain at Big Cypress. A horrible shank on 10 — which led to a double bogey — was the only real blemish on his card.

Troy was right on his heels with another impressive performance, moving himself to the top of our season standings.

And Gorecki/Moosite had a shot at winning until they were derailed by 13 and 14, finishing third.

John shanked his way to a new high course record. Hole 7 was moved up for maintenance so we played it in -9 (gross) as a group. And after two rounds at the Springs, we still haven't had anyone make worse than bogey on 18.

We also got extremely lucky with the weather as lightning struck all around us at the finish. I'm not sure how we avoided all the rain.

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We're off for two weeks with 26% of the Club exploring Michigan. I don't know what the threshold should be to warrant bye-weeks... but we had well above 33% at the time the schedule was posted. Many of you have benefited from this policy before (we had two weeks off for Scotland and bye-weeks for various other destinations)... so this isn't anything new.

Next year I won't build in a bye-week for Ireland (mid-June), since attendance on that trip is so light.

 

In any case, you all will be somewhat missed. Enjoy the long break and spend time with your families. 

Next event is on August 27th at Lake Jovita (South). Update your RSVPs if something has changed.

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The Rapture draft will need to take place on either Friday or Saturday, September 22nd / 23rd. That'll give us ONE week for teams to get together before we head to Sebring on October 5th.

I'm pre-paying for everyone's hotel... so when World Rankings (and handicaps) lock on September 18th, I'll start collecting deposits to secure your spot.

Gorecki has volunteered to host the draft party again, so comment if you have any other suggestions. I'm fine going anywhere, and his place did suit our needs.

The Concussion - Summer 2023 Preview

Faz wanted a preview post, but I don't have much to say about this event, because I'm not sure what to expect.

As previously mentioned, Southport Springs is probably the most "tricked up" layout I'd allow us to play. It's a legit course, but extremely narrow and penal until you reach the final 4 holes.

Long drive will be on 18, a hole that we played -2 (gross) as an entire group (20 players) last time. That's 7 birdies and only 5 bogies. Easiest hole in league history.

There are multiple "driveable" par 4s out there, but most are surrounded by dense woods and/or swamp. The 13th and 14th holes are maybe 15 yards wide, flanked by a million oak trees. The 11th is a 197 yard par 4, which I guess you can try to take direct aim at if you hit the ball as high as Dan.

 

Conditions are also a big question mark. Online (Golfpass) it got 4-stars on 7/20 and 7/22... and 5-stars on 8/1.

In the recap two years ago, nobody was bitching about it... rather just in awe of what Melberg accomplished.

Lightning won't strike twice, so I don't think a low handicap will win this week. It feels like a Geoff victory.

Looking forward to the chaos. See you Sunday.

Speaking of chaos:

It appears the nines are reversed in GolfGameBook. So I have every group "starting on hole 10" in the app. Make sure whoever is keeping score in the app is the most aware of the group, so they can figure it out.