2024 Skins Games - Strokes

I reckon everyone is on the tees they desire. So here are the strokes. Long drive on 13:

Ho - 0

Melberg - 2

Chandler - 2

Dan - 0

Faz - 0

Buchert - 3

Casey - 0

Troy - 1

JW - 2

Reid - 0

Moostie - 1

John - 1

Gary - 0

Geoff - 0

Billy - 0

Danny - 5

 

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As of now we're only taking 12 people to Reunion for the final event. I'm signing that contract in four days. At which point I'll gladly sell my spot to someone in the mix, but not in the event, for $250.

Skins Game - Summer 2024 Preview

Only a handful of people have sent in money for our event at Reunion on August 18th. You have one week to send me $102 or you won't have a spot.

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Skins game this Sunday is at Seminole Lake, at 10:15am. Cost is $74 and you need to buy range balls in the pro shop.

 

Fairways are in great shape. Greens are recovering from being punched a couple of weeks ago... but should be decent by Sunday. We've only held one tournament here back in 2018, and scoring was on the easy side, ranging from Buchert's 77 to Gorecki's 101.

Since then they've redone all their greens (they're still very firm), and changed the par from 71 to 72.  There are now three par-5s in a row on the back... all very reachable in two. The 12th has a really cool thumbprint green, something we rarely see.

Everyone is on the WHITE tees unless they want to move back. Let me know.

 

Speaking of... on a lot of holes there are two sets of Red and Green tees (this doesn't affect us).

 

But the card also implies there are two sets of White tees on 13 & 14. Those weren't out this past weekend. If for whatever reason they are out... play the back set.

 

The course is fairly well marked with OB stakes and hazard lines. All public roads are OB. There are a couple of ditches (currently dry-ish) that cross fairways which you can't see off the tee. Check your GPS apps!

We're going out in order of Course Handicap & Index... so pairings might change if people change their tees. 

See you Sunday.

FBGC Masters - August 18th

In an effort to play "better" courses, I've finally gotten us back on Reunion. But... as is the case with those guys... they have a very restrictive contract.

Price is $102 (all in). Tee time is 9:10am. Sunday, August 18th. No cancellation for rain unless the course kicks us off... in which case they'll refund *some* of our money.

We're also on the hook for whatever number of players I tell them. And I have to pre-pay (non-refundable).

So... if you're planning on playing... send me $102. I have to sign the agreement on 6/3. If I don't have your monies by then, you will not have a spot in the event.

Any guests are welcome. So have them send money ASAP as well.

 

 

Get on it!

Summer 2024 - Board Meeting

Notes from last night's Board Meeting. Remember, we can't change "playing rules" in the Summer... but we try to tackle any administrative issues that arise.

Increase Greenies, Sandies, Long Drives, etc

It's been brought up a few times (from Dan specifically) to increase the "payouts" of our Gambling Rules G2 through G5. This was rejected 0-5 by the Board. The feeling is the money wasn't ever really the point, and the payouts are inflation-proof... much like boobs at a strip club ($1 since the beginning of time!).

 

We also don't support the redistribution of wealth from Dave to Ho... which is what would happen if we increased the Long Drive payment.

 

Pitcher Issues

The board formalized (5-0) that a "pitcher" is one of three things:

• A standard pitcher of beer as sold at most bars
• Four 16-oz pints (or 16-oz cans)
• Five 12-oz cans/bottles, typically referred to as a "bucket."

Any one of these three things can lower your balance at the designated hang-out spot after any event, or at the Hangover season party.

 

We also recognize that sometimes you can't stick around after golf, and want to hoard your pitchers until a time you are available. The board is allowing a 2 pitcher balance for this purpose. If your balance is higher than two pitchers at the time of the Hangover season party, the Board reserves the right to purchase drinks on your behalf (at $20 per pitcher owed above 2 pitchers... or the cost of pitchers at the location of the party... whichever is greater) to serve to the Members in attendance. This payment will come out of your Club Credit balance.

Speaking of Club Credit...

Season Payments

Chandler wanted to collect TWO seasons worth of dues ($270) at the beginning of each calendar year. This would eliminate extra transactions before the Summer Season.

This was rejected 2-3 with only John siding with Dear Leader. As a result, expect Dear Leader to get snarkier at those who are slow to pay. Like Crum... who still owes Summer Dues ($94). We patiently await word from his wife if he'll be allowed to play this season!

Negative Pitchers

We needed another pitcher last weekend, and Ho agreed to buy one if he could get a negative pitcher on the Deadbeat List. Our Chairman (hey, that's me!) thought it was funny and agreed.

That did NOT go over well with the Board last night. They immediately censured Chandler and his decision to allow it. And John sent money to Ho to erase his own pitcher debt, as well as Ho's future debt.

So... I guess it was a 1-4 vote, rejecting the existence of "negative pitchers." Any pitchers purchased by Members who do not owe any, will be done so out of the kindness of their heart, and desire to hang out with their friends.

I haven't seen JW this upset since we contemplated mandatory ball marking. 

Review of The Great Slow Play Penalty

Last season's group of death — Gary, Gorecki, Dave and Brendan — were "penalized" the following event, and placed in the final group. Only Dave attended the event, so the "penalty" was symbolic at best.

At the time, Faz was the only Board Member to vote against it, saying it felt like we were making mid-season rule changes. Chandler, on the right side of history, argued it wasn't a rule change, but within the Board's powers to punish conduct unbecoming of a Member. The same way we would deal with cheating, violence, and Ho's excessive talking during play.

Last night we officially expanded The Board's power, voting 5-0 to impose any penalty we see fit, for any action we deem violates Rule 14. Penalties would still require the standard 4/5ths vote by the Board.

First Place Ties

Reid wants to get rid of ties for first place. JW agreed, suggesting that we use the scorecard comparison of final 9-6-3-1 holes on the back nine to determine a winner (as "suggested" by the USGA). This was rejected 2-3.

The feeling of those voting against: while ties for first place are lame... scorecard "count-backs" are even more lame. Only a true sudden-death playoff is in the spirit of the game, and those aren't feasible due to course rules, availability, and the potential of forcing someone from Group A to wait around for Group E to know if a playoff is happening.

It was a lively debate. So if any Members want to join in on the discussion, let your thoughts be known.

Nonsense

John motioned to kick out all Mikes and Daves. This was rejected 1-4.

Skins Game - Summer 2024 Update

Got 20 spots booked at Seminole Lake on June 2nd, at 10:15am. Cost will be $69+ tax.

More on the course later, but update your RSVPs. We currently have 2 spots open if anyone needs to bring a guest. Let me know.

The Classic - Summer 2024 Recap

It felt like the good ol' days Sunday, playing Northdale with a small field of 14 Members. The overwhelming consensus was we've played way worse courses, for way more money, with much longer travel distance. 

 

Outside of the first green which was totally dead, the course was fine. The fairways actually had grass! Group A went out early! The pace on the front nine was great, until grinding to a halt on the back (4:10 total). And the bar afterwards was lively, probably due to how close Northdale is to most of our houses. Even Buchert hung out for awhile!

It appeared everyone had a good time, except Dave, who was not amused with John, Ho and Marcus throughout the day.

Hopefully Northdale continues to get in better shape. We need closer options.

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Geoff — who somehow raised his handicap since the start of last season — putted lights out to post a lifetime personal best score of 86, and winning at -9 (net). He was terrible off the tee. Can't say his approaches were very good either. And yet he drained a few long putts and maybe only had one 3-putt on the day. Most impressively, he made par on the final two holes! Who is this guy??

Geoff did tank his handicap with an "exceptional score," dropping to what I believe will be his lowest Index ever at 18.6. It's nice to see the continued improvement.

Reid played well enough to win, but couldn't quite chase down his former golf partner. It's another strong start to a season, as he searches for his first Championship.

We put a big dent into our owed pitchers, so the count on the blog should be correct.

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We're off next weekend for Memorial Day. I'm still searching a Skins Game course. Lots of places punching greens this time of year. Check back for updates and keep your RSVP status current.

The Classic - Summer 2024 Preview

We're back after a seemingly short off-season, but don't forget we had two rain-outs in the Spring that ate into our break.

Since prices come down this time of year, we're going to hopefully play some "better" courses. But not this week!

The last time we played Northdale was February 8th, 2014 (the season of Geoff's first Championship). What was once a staple in our rota got placed on the banned list due to terrible course management and conditions. 

 

Every few years I'd hear rumors of an ownership change, and improvement to the course. I wouldn't take the bait, and eventually it would fall apart. Which sucks as it's one of the most centralized locations to our Members.

 

Out of desperation for "cost effective" options, Faz and I visited last month to scout the course after a fresh batch of "new ownership" rumors. It was good enough for us to attempt to add to the schedule. Unfortunately they were booked with other events, so we couldn't make it happen.

Troy went out there on his own two weeks ago and came to the same conclusion. He was kind enough to book us there on Sunday at 9:39am.

Since it's been over a decade, here are a few things about Northdale:

• There's no range. They do have some beat up nets and mats.
• It's going to be a very slow round. At least 4:30 pace. Some of you will be very comfortable!
  
• There's lots of water and it's legitimately difficult, averaging +5 net in our League play (which would be about +8 today after the World Handicap changes).
• I reckon we should give the bar/grill a shot after our round. It's been way too long to have any opinion on it.
• Long drive on #11
  

Everyone is on the WHITE tees unless you tell me you want to play the tips. The 55/25 club can play the old man GOLD tees.

 

Pairings have been randomized and posted. We have a couple open spots if any guests want in. We're also still missing Summer Dues from a couple of people... so send those over or let me know if you're taking the season off.

See you Sunday.

Mid-Season Board Meeting

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, May 21st. Comment anything you'd like us to discuss. We can't change playing rules in this meeting, but we can do some administrative things.

Topics off the top of my head:

- Review slow-play penalty options

- Take action on pitcher hoarders

- Season dues payment schedule

Anything else? Make a comment.

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We also have four guys who haven't filled out their season RSVP yet. So they're assumed OUT for Week 1 (10 days away).

These people still owe Summer dues:

 

Crum

Check with your wives and see if you're still allowed to play. Then send in your payment.

 

Thanks!

Summer RSVPs and Dues

The Summer schedule is loaded, and RSVP link reset. Please fill it out as soon as you can.

I see Crum is using a bold strategy to avoid Gary's winless streak, by missing the first three events. Either that or his wife finally convinced him to quit!

Please keep in mind you must play in one of the first four events to be eligible the remaining season! 

Also, nine people owe dues for the summer. Click on the dues link to see if you're highlighted, and how much you owe in the "Summer Owed" column.