Gorecki Memorial Controversy!

Of course, a tournament with Gorecki's name on it would have some... issues.

When I load in scores after a tournament, I have a lot of "checks" built in to make sure there aren't any errors. I use the physical scorecards I collect from everyone, and the last step is to make sure they match the leader board app. There have been one or two discrepancies in the history of using the app... but they've never affected people in the money.

Until now.

After yesterdays round, Darren and I were talking about how we both shot 72. His physical scorecard (filled out by Gary) confirms he shot 72. But today I noticed the leader board showed he shot 74. The difference was on hole #7... the scorecard shows a par (3) and the app shows a double bogey (5).

I sent a text to Gary and Geoff to see if they could recall what he shot... BEFORE talking to Darren about it. Gary immediately confirmed that Darren made par, and said he 1 putted the green. Geoff recalled he (Geoff) made 6 and Tory made 5... but wasn't 100% sure of what Darren scored.

So before telling Darren there was a scoring issue, I asked him what he did on that hole. He said he hit it off the tee short of the left bunker. And then chipped to about a foot behind the hole. Gary made a comment that he'd give him the putt, but "Chandler was watching" from the group behind so they better putt it out. Darren made the putt for par.

So what happened in the app? My best guess is that Troy's 5 was accidentally entered for Darren.

Basically... this causes Darren to WIN the tournament yesterday by a stroke over Tall Mike.

And I guess we'll have to start checking the scores while we're at the course. I personally always verify that my physical scorecard matches the app when the round is over. But I don't do that for you fools until the next day.

Anyway... Sorry, Mike. You're still in great position to win the season but you owe Darren $40.

Gorecki Memorial

This Sunday, April 10th, 9am.

The pristine and hallowed ground that is Countryway Golf Club.

I got us a group rate of $18. Yes, allegedly we're paying a dollar a hole.

16 spots are reserved. Assuming Troy is in, we are FULL. If anyone on the list is NOT going, please tell me now so I can replace you.

Part at Gary's house immediately afterward. Bring drinks and your WAG.

Hangover Invitational - Spring 2016 Recap

Mailing this one in because I'm still kinda hungover.

Darren brought out the bags of sand today... finishing his round as the only player under par (net). Tall Mike takes the lead in the DPT Cup standings with a solo 2nd. Seven guys are officially eliminated from contention for the Cup.

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The bar was pretty fun. Good to see a lot of WAGs and friends joined us for the nonsense. There's been a lot of feedback about what to do with guys that, for whatever reason, can't make the bar. Should they still be allowed to play with a handicap penalty? In the past we've strictly forbidden it... but life does sometimes get in the way of a good party.

A couple of people just want the event to be removed... but just as many said they like getting everyone together for a night, and it's nice to get the WAGs involved since they're the ones who really suffer during the season while we're golfing. I mean... who's going to buy their brunch?!?

Handicap penalties could work... but they do kinda mess up the historical accuracy of our data. The easiest thing is to say, as Geoff says: "rules is rules." Show up to the bar if you want to play for money and points.

Regardless... the spirit of the event is to be our "season party." And while I don't necessarily like forcing people to attend... given the chance to not show up can easily be taken advantage (ie: Gorecki last season).

So if you have any comments on the matter... let them be known.

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Anyway... it's Masters week! We're playing Countrway at 9am on Sunday. Masters party at Gary's house afterward. I reserved 16 spots since we'll probably have a few guests. I know Buchert is OUT. Troy is IN. Anyone else... let me know now.

Ryder Cup Update

With Dave officially in for the weekend of 8/13, we have our 12 "qualified" golfers. Reunion is back on as our location for the quoted rate of $324.75.

However, since we moved the event back a week, one of the courses (Palmer) will be punched. So the plan is now:

Friday, August 12th - Check into Reunion.
Saturday, August 13th - Play a round in the morning, and one in the afternoon on the Watson and Nicklaus courses.
Sunday, August 14th - Check out of Reunion, drive to another course (TBD), play final round and head home.

This brings the Reunion cost down to $260.55... which you will all owe half of next week (instructions on how to pay the deposit will be posted soon). And as long as our final course is less than $64, we'll be at the originally stated quote.

Bella Collina has already offered us $60 per person for Sunday morning. However, my first choice is Grand Cypress New Course. It's Jack Nicklaus' take on St. Andrews and unlike anything in the area.

Regardless, I'm not worried about the final round. We'll be somewhere really nice. Just let me know if you have any questions, and be ready to call in a deposit next week.

Hangover Invitational - Tee Times

I was REALLY trying to get us on a "new" course... but the Pro hasn't been around and isn't checking his email, and all the other places I looked at haven't changed their rates over yet.

So we're falling back on Lexington Oaks. It's not too far out of town and it drains pretty well. Cause we'll probably be hungover in the rain.

First tee time is 10:52am. Group rate is $42.

I have spots reserved for 12 league members. If you're NOT playing this weekend, let me know now. Also, if you have any non-league guys that want in (Troy, Crum, whoever)... say so.

Actually... gonna just lock it at 12 people. If someone backs out you can bring a guest. 

Also... dropping down to 12 people allowed me to move the tee time to 9:37am.

Hangover Invitational - Spring 2016

Alright, after 3 straight seasons of heading north, we're returning to actual Tampa for our season party. I debated a few spots but was ultimately convinced to host it in historic Ybor City.

I'm going to talk to the board members about a few changes to this outing starting next season, but for now, all rules remain.

Show up to James Joyce Irish Pub by 9pm on Saturday, April 2nd. You can go home at 1am, and penalty shots (on your tab) if you're late. From there we'll eventually hit up one or two more places.

Bring your WAGs if they want to join. Take an Uber or have someone drop you off. Carpool if you can.

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As for our round on Sunday, I'm still working on the course. I'll post it as soon as I know.

DPT Championship & Other Crap

Glad to see the weather held out for you guys. Great job by Tall Mike winning his 2nd Major. Decent job by Gary placing 2nd for the third tournament in a row. Crazy 3 birdie stretch by Buchert. And it seems Big John, who is setting records for most pitchers and consecutive DFL finishes, needs to go buy some lessons.

I'll get the standings updated as soon as Faz sends me the list of who had greenies, long drives, etc. Or if anyone else remembers just comment it on here.

We're OFF this week for Easter. A glorious holiday in which the late comedian Bill Hicks notes: "...commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus by telling our children a giant bunny rabbit left chocolate eggs in the night."

Next week (April 3rd) is the Hangover Invitational. Which means we're going out the night before on Saturday, April 2nd. Comment now if you're in or out. Details on the bar and course location will come later this week.

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We currently only have 10 people for the Ryder Cup, with Dave yet to respond. If he's in, we'll find a 12th. If he's out, we might drop it down to an 8 person event. More on this later but get ready to pay a deposit if we go the Reunion route.

The Reunion trip would be 8/6. They're punching the greens the next weekend. So if Buchert is able to go 8/13, and says so soon, then I'll just piece something together that weekend.

Ryder Cup Quotes

Black Diamond (Quarry) is closed for aerification the dates we can go (8/6 or 8/13). So I think that plan is out.

I sent out requests for quotes to Reunion and Grand Cypress.

Reunion came back at $352 but I talked them down to $325 (all taxes should be included).

Grand Cypress came in at $540!

And this is why we don't have nice things. I'm also going to call Mission Inn but I'm betting it'll in the Grand Cypress zone.

Fazoli Match Play - Spring 2016 Recap

It's 3rd person time!

Bloomingdale was ranked as the hardest course in league history, granted we've only been there once. After Sunday... it's now #2 (behind the dreaded Claw). Wind gusts and tight fairways ruined everyone's day... just some more than others.

Chandler (hey, that's me!) began the day by sinking a 20 foot putt for triple bogey. While that should have derailed any chance of winning, he scrapped out 11 pars on the next 17 holes to win by four strokes. For the 2nd week in a row, Gary blew up on the closing stretch and still finished 2nd. And Geoff made enough bogeys for what we thought was solo 3rd.

But apparently we enter scores into the leader board app as well as we golf. Darren posted a 7 (not a 9) on the par-5 14th hole to tie Geoff in third place.

As for the matches, Chandler finally put Geoff away on the 16th. Gary destroyed Faz 7 & 5. Reid and John both ejected on the last hole, losing their matches with quad bogey 8s.

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Next week we're playing the 2nd Major of the season at Crescent Oaks. 10am tee time. $45. Sunday, March 20th. If you're planning on winning the Cup this season... now would be a good time to make a move.

Chandler, Dave and Darren are all OUT. Three groups (12 people) have been reserved. Faz will be collecting money and taking care of the payouts.

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It looks like the Ryder Cup will be the weekend of 8/6 or 8/13. We've basically heard from everyone except Buchert and Dave, so we'll go ahead and start attempting to lock up a location.

Geoff has finally rejoined the Official Golf Rankings, coming in hot in the #3 spot. There are about 10 more events until the rankings lock, after the 2nd Major next season.

Spring Forward

Don't forget to set your clocks AHEAD Saturday night. We tee off at 10am... which is the old 9am.

Weather forecast seems to be getting better as well.

Match Play Pairings

Nobody else is allowed to get hurt or pull a Gorecki and bail.

10am tee time. Bloomingdale has a range so feel free to show up early to warm up. Perhaps you can go to the edge of the range and just start spraying your own balls into the swamp. That will get you the most ready for the upcoming round.

Group 1
Geoff vs. Chandler
Troy*

Group 2
Faz vs. Gary
Brad*

Group 3
Brendan vs. Reid
Darren vs. Big John

Ryder Cup Dates

Registration for the Ryder Cup is now open. On the side of the blog is a grid of possible dates. Tell me which ones you are IN and which ones you are OUT.

Your choices are the weekends of: August 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, September 10th, 17th.

The grid is in order of CURRENT Official Rankings. These change week to week and will lock in the middle of next season.

Keep in mind... Geoff is only one or two rounds away from not only making the list... but my quick calculations show he might return in 2nd. And Guest is only a couple missed tournaments away from losing eligibility.

So keep an eye on it. And tell me what dates you can make it.

Fazioli Match Play - Spring 2016 Location

We've decided to make the bloodbath continue. This Sunday, March 13th, 10am at Bloomingdale.

The only time we've held an event there, Gorecki won with a 106. Also, 5 out of the 8 golfers finished in the Pitcher Zone.

Below are the tentative match-ups, subject to change:

Geoff vs. Chandler
Faz vs. Gary
Brendan vs. Reid
Darren vs. Big John

Whatever guest golfers we have will fill final two spots. Winning your match will earn you a bonus 100 points.

Jamaican Open - Spring 2016 Recap and Other News

We don't have to talk about it. Seriously. We don't have to recap the Jamaican Open appropriately called... "Black Sunday." We don't need to mention that Gary was destroying the field with -3 (net) through 10 holes, only to finish with 5 doubles and 2 triples on the final 7. Or how Tall Mike's quad on 18 and Buchert's quad on 17 cost them both 2nd place. We shouldn't point out that Chandler probably set a league record for largest range of scores in a season, shooting 78 last tournament and a 96 this week. Or that Brendan made no pars on the day, had to buy one of the four pitchers, and somehow still got points. Or that literally half the league walked off the course vowing to get lessons. And we definitely shouldn't talk about Gorecki shooting the 2nd highest 9 holes in league history, a 65 on the back that contained zero bogeys or better.

What we should talk about is how Geoff made two clutch pars on 15 and 16. And how his tee shot on 6 literally lipped out of the cup, which would have been our first ever hole-in-one. Geoff's round was pretty average on a day when everyone else was terrible. So he moves into 1st place as we approach the half-way point of the season.

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This Sunday (March 13th) is the Fazioli Match Play. I'm have a couple of courses to reach out to, and will post the location, time and tentative matches shortly.

As of right now, I have the following people OUT: JW, Tall Mike, Buchert.

This gives us a potential of 12 league members showing up, so I'll book 3 groups. If anyone else is out let me know.

I'm going to assume Dan and Guest are out unless they tell me otherwise. Later this week I will fill any remaining spots with Troy and/or Brad... both who want to establish handicaps and possibly join full time next season.

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A bunch of us are going to the Valspar Championship this week. I believe Darren is going Thursday. Myself, Gary, JW, Gorecki and Darryl are going Friday. Faz is going Saturday on a regular ticket while I'll be in the Hooters tent. Reid and Tom are also going but I don't remember which day.

I have one extra ticket for the Hooters tent (Saturday) if anyone wants it. $78 and you get a boat of wings and all you can drink beers. Comment if you're interested.

Jamaican Open - Spring 2016 - Pairings

Updated pairings for the tournament this Sunday, at 8:30am.

Group 1
Buchert
Tall Mike
Geoff
Troy*

Group 2
Chandler
Gary
Brendan
Brad*

Group 3
Darren
Big John
Gorecki
Reid

Pebble Creek doesn't have a range. And they are notorious for over-booking the course, causing 6+ hour rounds. Don't be late.