Schedule Change

We are officially swapping the Hangover with the Jamaican. As Faz mentioned... The point is the Hangover is basically a season party, and way too many people would be out on the 21st (Brendan, Buchert, Tall Mike, Gary and probably others).

So we will be going out Saturday March 28th... And playing the next day. In the meantime the tournament on the 22nd will be Reid's event. 

I'm going to set up a FaceBook event for the Hangover night, so you people can rsvp for headcount reasons. We're working on setting up a private event at a bar. 

Anyway... Stay tuned for that. Nothing has changed for this weekend. 

DPT Championship - This Sunday

Gorecki and I have been striking out all day trying to find a suitable course for this weekends Major. 

The plan was to play Eaglebrooke which is an awesome course out in Lakeland... but they wouldn't give us any group rates. They also said the only discount (from $85) I could get was online. That knocked it down to $60 but required a $75 deposit for me to reserve three groups.

Not going to happen.

Crescent Oaks and the Eagles wanted us... but both have events and didn't have tee times available.

Stoneybrook wouldn't give us a discount and their rate is a bit steep this time a year. TPC Tampa was willing to give us 30% off... but that still made it $95+ per person. Hunters Green offered us $97. And Lake Jovita wouldn't go below $75.

So at this point I'm just trying to get us on somewhere. I was about to pull the trigger on Cypress Creek, which is "Major worthy", but was hesitant because even they are about $55.

Anyway, a couple guys suggested we bite the bullet and go up to Brooksville CC. So that's the plan. 11:00am for $41 plus tax.

The league has played there before. It's interesting for 4 holes... and kinda blah for the other 14. And definitely a little tricked-up (but then again... I say that about most courses). There is a range so get there early. No excuses since we're playing later than usual.

We got one spot open. See you all up there. 

DO NOT speed through Brooksville if you take that route. My dad got a ticket going to the course last month... and he's the slowest driver in our league.

DPT Championship - Spring 2015

As you all know, we are off this week. Our next tournament is a Major on March 15th. There is currently one spot open... and I've pretty much heard from all the "regular" guys.

I'll be calling Eaglebrook first to see if we can get out there.

Also, as previously mentioned, some of us are going to the Valspar on Saturday the 14th. Let me know if any of you guys are attending. We have Hooter's tickets.

Gorecki Memorial - Spring 2015 Recap

Despite heavy rains yesterday, Countryway has never looked better. The greens were... green. The fairways were fair. I even saw a bald eagle flying overhead before our round. It was a beautiful day.

Darren entered the tournament attempting to overcome his demons and lock up the season title. Instead, he made double-bogey on the final hole to buy a pitcher of beer. Tall Mike was able to take advantage of Darren's poor play, with a silky smooth swing and a 2nd place finish. Mike now sits atop the standings with less than half the season remaining.

But it was Big John who surprised us all... showing up only to test out his newly repaired knee. John had one blow-up hole (triple bogey on #5) and obliterated the field with 11 pars. Faz reports it's the largest margin of victory since Summer 2013, and the second lowest net score in the history of the league (-8).

This marks the 3rd first-time winner in as many weeks. And John shoots up the leader board to 7th place despite only playing in one event. With 2,200 possible points remaining, EVERYONE still has a chance to win the cup. But the lower guys are running out of time, and we need Tall Mike to take his foot of the gas.

Gorecki is finally back on the Official Golf Rankings after a 32 event hiatus. However, he is the first person ranked outside the top 12... which means he wouldn't automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup if the rosters locked today.

Tomorrow - Update

Gorecki has confirmed that his course will be open tomorrow. So try not to lose sleep with all your excitement.  Weather will be overcast with 20% chance of rain in the morning.

Also... just got an email that Crescent Oaks has "Golfboards" now. Pretty sure some of those old people are going to die.

http://www.golfboard.com/

YTD Par 3 Stats

I know I've slacked big time on the stat posts this season but that doesn't mean I haven't been tracking everything.  Since most of you are about to play in the worst event of the season I thought I'd give you a little taste of how everyone's par-3 performances have been stacking up so far.  I've only included stats for people who have played in at least 3 of the 4 events.  Buchert - your stats are from the last 3 events since you were still establishing your handicap in week 1.

And yes, Darren has been playing par-3s better than me, Gary, and Dave.  At this point last season he was averaging 4.25 and Dave, Gary, and I were top 3 with 3.438, 3.500, and 3.563 respectively.

Rank	Player	Average	Birdie	Par	Bogey	Double	Triple
1	Brian	3.417	0	7	5	0	0
2	Chandler	3.563	0	9	5	2	0
3	Darren	3.688	0	7	7	2	0
4	Gary	3.750	0	7	7	1	1
5	Dave	3.813	1	6	6	1	2
6	Faz	4.063	1	4	6	3	2
7	Chris G.	4.167	0	2	7	2	1
8	Gorecki	4.188	0	3	8	4	1
9	Reid	4.313	0	5	4	4	3
10	Mike	4.500	0	3	5	5	3
11	Brendan	4.583	0	2	4	3	3
12	JW	4.938	0	3	2	4	7

Gorecki Memorial Pairings

9:20 tee time this Sunday. Get there slightly early. 

Group 1:

Gary, Guest, Dave and Big John (making his return from knee surgery)

Group 2:

Gorecki, Brendan, Reid and Litman (playing for fun)

Group 3:

Chandler, Darren, Buchert and Tall Mike

There are 11 par 3s so make sure to bring lots of dollars. It's a greenie-fest. 

Fazioli Match Play Recap - Spring 2015

It only took Buchert 3 starts to get his first league victory. He completely destroyed the field shooting a net 65, thanks to 10 pars and one birdie. Yet despite the dominance, he needed 17 holes to defeat Brendan in match-play. The 600 points vaults Buchert to 3rd place in the standings.

Chandler and Darren were the only other guys under par (net), both winning their match. Geoff finally joined us on the course and easily took care of Gorecki. Geoff had the early lead until falling apart on the 8th, 9th and 10th holes. Reid and Gary also won their matches in the final holes, adding 100 bonus points to their season total.

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Next Sunday is the Gorecki Memorial at Countryway. Tee time is 9:20am.

We have a lot of deadbeat action, so bring cash next week to pay off your debts.

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There was only slight movement in the Official Golf Rankings. Reid jumped up to the 2nd spot, while JW's only victory finally dropped off causing his free-fall. Gorecki is now only one tournament away from joining the rankings (you need 8 of the last 18 events) in the 13th spot.

Schedule Change

So a handful of people, many of which are near the top of the standings, can't play golf on March 8th. So we're moving that tournament to the "Make-Up" day on the 15th.

Change your calendars.

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We're also booked for the Gorecki Memorial on next Sunday, March 1st. Countryway at 9:20am. It should be $24... so if you get there before me and you they try to charge you anything different... don't let them.

Pairings to be released later this week. As of right now we do have 2 spots open.

Paradise Golf Summer Card

Is anyone interested in getting this paradise golf card? Discounted rates start April 1 and run through Oct 31 so plenty of opportunities to golf when league play isn't active.

Click here to see all the courses that are participating and the discounts they are offering.

If enough people are interested in getting this card, I'll inquire about getting a discounted group rate.

Let me know.

SUMMER MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM 2015 - $199

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THE VALUE ADDED BENEFITS LISTED BELOW APPLY TO FULL RETAIL PURCHASE ONLY!

This year's program details are as follows.  We should be able to continue updating the information below to our summer membershi for 2015 which is good beginning April 1- October 31

• Participating golf courses include clubs in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota counties. CLICK HERE to download our preliminary Members Guide to Rates and Clubs for Summer 2015!
• 70 courses on the program including the private Pride of Pinellas Cypress Run, Isla Del Sol and other new clubs
• 2 Complimentary Rounds of Golf - One Member for a Day to the pride of Pinellas Cypress Run offered by Paradise President and Cypress Run member Gregg Gagliardi and a round to the awesome Fox Hollow GC - first 1000 to join
• 20 Try Us Out Certificates, One Each to 20 different golf courses, prices ranging from $18 and up
• 1 Cart Fee Only for Four to World Woods
• 11 Member For A Day Passes one each to 9 Different Private Clubs all at very reasonable rates!
• A Complimentary 30 minute video lesson with Jon Johnson and Joey DiPompo of Tampa Bay Downs Range
• $10 Beef O Bradys Certificate Good for 6 Beef O Brady Hillsborough stores - no minimum spend
• $5 Brickhouse Certificate Good for the Clearwater and Tampa stores - no minimum spend
• A Free Razor Golf A Wedge or Utility Club, $29.95 shipping and handling will apply
• 3 Complimentary Buckets of Balls, 1 each to Chi Chi, Tampa Bay Downs, Ace Ranges
• $20 Sports Authority Promotional Card
• $10 Golfsmith Promotional Card with a variety of discounts

Match Play Update

Handicaps are set on the tournament page. The scorecard link will also show you the match play strokes. 

Remember... While there is a match play component this week... The regular stroke play tournament is also going on. So putt everything out like you normally would. Money is paid out based on stroke play standings. 

Pairings are as follows with match play strokes in parentheses:

1 9:30am: Gorecki (2) vs Geoff / Reid (7) vs Faz

2: Buchert vs Brendan (9) / Chan vs JW (15)

3: Gary vs Dave / Tall Mike (2) vs Darren

Par-3 Memorial Registration

Time to pay your respects. Gorecki might resemble the walking dead but his tournament lives on. 

Who is playing week 5 on March 1st?

I was gonna move the event to a new location in Sun City... But let's do that this summer when the snow birds are gone. We will instead return to Countryway... Which is clearly the best course in the Westchase area. 

Brendan said to assume he's in. I know Gary and Darren will be there. Guest said he was in. Faz told me a long time ago he was out. 

Everyone else... Make a comment or send me a text. Field will lock this Saturday. 

Match Play - Feb 22

We are all set for Match Play at Lexington Oaks next Sunday. Group rate is $37. Tee time is 930am. 

There's one spot open. I'll post the pairings in a few days to give someone a chance to claim it. 

Registration

Ben

JW

You all in for next Sunday? Tell me now I need to call some courses.

***UPDATE***
Tomorrow at 11am I'm going to start attempting to book us somewhere. Right we have 11 people. So I'll be booking 3 groups and the first person from the list above who responds can get the final spot.

Then when Geoff bails next week someone else can replace him.

Valspar Championship

Last year we bought a ticket package to the Valspar Championship, which included a round on the Copperhead course. They don't have that deal this year. Instead it's the same price to play one of their other courses. And since I already have a contact who can get us on there... It seems like a waste.

So instead I bought a 4-pack of one day tickets to the Hooters tent. Ticket includes parking, some wings, and all you can drink beer. Price is $64 if you buy the 4-pack. Tournament runs March 12-15... I'll be heading over there on Saturday the 14th. 

Anyway... All 4 of my tickets are taken. But the rest of you should coordinate buying a pack and joining. Let me know if any of you do. 

Tickets at: valsparchampionship.com