Spring 2024 - Week 2 - Skins Game Preview

We're back at it this Sunday at Lexington Oaks at 9am.

I've dropped us down to 5 tee times (20 players). Despite Danny's inability to use the RSVP system, he says he'll "give it a go."

Lexington Oaks can be a very difficult track, where all the easy scoring holes are on the front nine. Soft conditions can make it extra challenging as balls tend to plug in front of the greens. I was there a few weeks ago and it was in decent shape... at least the putting surfaces.

However, it looks like it's going on rain on Sunday. As always the Board will monitor the severity... but expect to play in rain if the course is open. If a rain-out does happen, we'd just move the Skins game to the next open spot on the calendar (February 18th).

As for the Skins game... you either know how it's run by now, or you don't really care to know. We are grouped in order of Course Handicaps. The 25/55 club can play the whites (I'm assuming Gary and Gorecki want to move up. Troy and Reid have the option but they need to let me know). Here's a scorecard:

The Classic - Spring 2024 Recap

Another frigid start to a year — as is tradition. This was probably the coldest we've ever seen, with wind chill in the high 20s at tee time. It definitely made swinging a club difficult. And the wind itself was whipping throughout the day. The par-3 7th and 11th were brutally long in those conditions, especially with frozen golf balls.

We also kicked off the season with the most WDs in Club history... three of them the morning of. Although Danny never actually reported his WD to me or any other Board Member. Alas, our Club coffers grew $30 on Sunday! For those curious (it came up a few times), we're sitting on $935... with a few Moses plates needing purchase.

Topor kicked off the year in Group 1 — which went out as Group 2 — with a very impressive teed-up 4-iron whiff. Excellent representation of our skill levels as a whole. And yes... whiffs do count as actual strokes.

Hernando Oaks has a median-net par of +6, making it one of the more difficult courses we play. The consistent cold conditions and lack of fluffy grass probably contribute a stroke or two. Or ten, in Geoff's case. I believe it's his first ever double-pitcher. He shot +18 (net) twice... once at Buffalo Creek and once at Heritage Harbor (in our 2nd season).

 

The day was set up perfectly for Scottish Dave to win despite only receiving three strokes. He was in the lead early after an impressive 38 (gross) on the front. But a double bogey on 14 and back-to-back bogeys to end the round derailed his chances.

Gary had a great outing, predictably reporting he hit it poorly. He needs to clean up the triples (he had three of them) if he wants to ever see the winners circle again — currently on a 64 event streak without a victory. The Detroit Lions are on a streak of about 66 years without a championship. Maybe they'll end the drought on the same day as Gary in Week 3!

 

Somebody had to win Sunday, and that somebody was Adam-san, straight off the boat from Japan. With a new perspective in culture and the fresh taste of whale testicles in his mouth... Adam drove the green on 6 to make a birdie (and greenie) after carding a quad on the previous hole. Seven more pars were recorded throughout the round, which easily balanced out all the doubles.

 

Adam and Gary were the only two players whose handicaps took the round!

 

Fun start to the year. Welcome back!

 

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We're off this week for Gasparilla. Be safe if you're going. Enjoy the free weekend if you aren't. Next round is on February 4th at 9am at Lexington Oaks.

Conditions out there are decent. Greens a little slow but roll true. Hopefully we won't get much rain between now and then. Update your RSVPs now!

Gasparilla Breakfast

 

Spring 2024 - Week 1 Preview

9:06am tee time at Hernando Oaks. Hopefully won't be delayed due to frost. Current forecast calls for temps at 38 degrees (feels like 31) at tee time. Just the way we like to start each year!

A few guys went up there this past weekend and report it's still in excellent shape. Dave is basically a LOCK in cold weather at a fairly difficult course. I'm not giving the high handicappers much of a chance this weekend due to the elements. Although Danny did win a cold tournament at Plantation Palms - by three strokes! That was a fluke... and he's more focused on quitting the Club and moving far, far away from us.

Pairings have been randomized and posted. We're currently full (20 players) so update your RSVP if your status changes.

See you Sunday!

Edit:

Everyone is on the WHITE tees by default. Last time we played there nobody moved back. Here's a scorecard in case anyone wants to:

State of Golf in Tampa - January 2024

I called Buffalo Creek today to book our 2nd event (February 4th). I've recently been there and it's in good shape. We last officially played there four years ago... so it's time.

Their phone number gets routed to a reservation company in India. So I asked to be transferred to the pro shop.

After a few minutes I was finally connected to the shop... and gave the guy our details. He told me:

• They don't book group outings this time of year ("in season")
• They don't offer any group rates
• Best (ie: only) thing I can do is go to their website — which is run by GolfNow — and manually book all the tee times I need
• Website requires that I pre-pay all the rounds
• Shop guy specifically mentioned being "screwed" out of money if we don't show up with the exact number of players reserved
  
• Cost is $90 per person

Apologies to the Buffy Creek fans... but I'm not doing any of that.

Get ready for a season of shit golf courses!

2024 Spring RSVPs & Dues

RSVP and Club Dues spreadsheets have been rolled-over on this blog. Go fill out your availability and send dues if you owe any.

Season starts Sunday, January 21st up at Hernando Oaks (9am)!