God damn freezing. Temperature was 36 at tee time, the course was difficult, and the scores reflected. My prediction of 6 pitchers was almost true... we had 4, and were damn close to getting 9 of them.
With the most predictable result in the history of this league, Katie beat the shit out of everyone. Chandler (hey, that's me!) tried his hardest to spoil her debut... but a quad 9 on the the 15th hole ruined his attempt.
However, Katie's party is winding down as the handicap formula does its job. She's scheduled to drop almost 3 points by this weekend alone! But don't assume that will slow down her reign of terror (side note: remember when "The Baron" terrorized our league?)... seven guys failed to beat her straight up. Two of those are League Champions. Yeah she tees it up closer that everyone else... but that's because she weighs 95 pounds.
Big John debuted his newly reconstructed swing and new set of clubs with very promising results. Great round by him derailed by a few blow-up holes. Dan continued to prove that the tees he plays doesn't matter... he's gonna shoot low 80's regardless. And Casey had a great first round as a rookie, shooting a 93 despite literally topping 5 drives about 40 yards. The other holes he completely obliterated the ball, so expect him to move up the rankings once he stops thinking so much on the tee box.
Faz won "Club Toss of the Year" this week, so everyone else shouldn't even bother. Thanks again to Casey for finding it 10 yards in a thicket.
----------------------------
Our last group finished insanely slow this week. As in... almost three holes behind the group in front of them. While there's probably a handful of excuses, we ALL need to be cognizant of our pace. When we play nicer courses who actually have rangers that care... it's going to be an issue. So instead of skimming over the next few bullet points, literally take to heart the three things I think would help every group:
1) If you're driving a cart... drop your "cartner" off a their ball, and then drive to yours. Do not sit and wait for them to hit. This is honestly the easiest thing you can do to speed up.
2) I'm tired of the term "ready golf." Call it what it is: play out of turn on and around the greens. If someone is walking to a ball or you feel they need time to line up, just go. Tell them you're going to go first so they have a chance to focus. Faz bladed a greenside bunker shot over the green today, and everyone attempted their first putts before he even got to his ball. It's not disrespectful. It's just efficient.
3) Stop spending 5 minutes hunting for balls. If you can't find it in an open area, you're going to take an unplayable anyway. There's zero advantage to finding it unless you're out of balls.
----------------------------
This week we're heading to a NEW course... Cheval. I'll do a preview on it later this week, but we are officially full (Katie... change your RSVP!). Pairings are already compiled and I'll post handicaps in a day or two. This is a fully private club that is letting us out because, you know, golf courses are hurting for money. So while that's good news for us, just remember there will be a lot of members who pay thousands of dollars a year to not deal with us common folk. We have a late tee time so you should be able to arrive early! See you all then!
Monday, January 9, 2017
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
December / July Handicap Tracker
Well with the new season just a few days away, it's hard to believe the last DPT league event was almost 6 months ago! Since then several "exhibition" rounds have been played which hopefully has kept the clubs (and our swing) from collecting cob webs. The blog has had its moments of entertainment during the off season but I think we are all anxious to resume league play as I quote Gary from last weekend "Chandler sure is bored!"
So here's one final recap of everyone's handicap during the off season. I'm sure we will all be paying more attention to them now as rounds in league events that have double digit net under par scores will most likely be scrutinized as potential sandbaggers.
Listed below is a recap of the handicap index changes since July when we last played a league event:
So here's one final recap of everyone's handicap during the off season. I'm sure we will all be paying more attention to them now as rounds in league events that have double digit net under par scores will most likely be scrutinized as potential sandbaggers.
December Index Tracker
(sorted by current index)
Listed below is a recap of the handicap index changes since July when we last played a league event:
Net Index Change from 7-15-16 to 1-1-17
(sorted by index change)
So congrats to the over 80% of members who improved their game during the off-season. Good luck to all on the upcoming league events. Looking forward to it!
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Week 1 - Pairings
Randomized pairings for this week. Starting in Week 2 we will go out in order of standings.
Remember to show up by at least 9:15am. Many of you people said you were OK with "earlier" tee times, so don't prove my skepticism correct. Also bring cash... $10 for entry and at least $5 for side bets.
Group 1
Faz
Casey
Chandler
Brendan
Group 2
Buchert
Gary
JW
Troy
Group 3
Anthony
Darren
Geoff
John
Group 4
Dan
Dave
Katie
Reid
----------------------------------
I was also able to book us on Cheval for Week 2, at 11:45am (due to a tournament), $53 after tax and includes range balls. This is a new course for the league, and based on current responses we have two spots open for any of the "???" people.
Remember to show up by at least 9:15am. Many of you people said you were OK with "earlier" tee times, so don't prove my skepticism correct. Also bring cash... $10 for entry and at least $5 for side bets.
Group 1
Faz
Casey
Chandler
Brendan
Group 2
Buchert
Gary
JW
Troy
Group 3
Anthony
Darren
Geoff
John
Group 4
Dan
Dave
Katie
Reid
----------------------------------
I was also able to book us on Cheval for Week 2, at 11:45am (due to a tournament), $53 after tax and includes range balls. This is a new course for the league, and based on current responses we have two spots open for any of the "???" people.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Spring 2017 - Week 1 Preview
The new season is finally here! Football is winding down and all of your shitty teams are eliminated from competition. That means it's time for winter golf: crappy course conditions, higher prices, endless club throwing. What a great time to be alive!
I got a text the other day from Tall Mike stating that it would be fun to have a league event at a difficult course, to see a wide range of positive net scores. He was referring specifically to Westchase... but I kinda feel like most of the courses we play beat us up. Only 4 courses in league history have an average (and median) net score under par. That leaves 33 courses with par or worse average net!
Anyway, he's getting his wish on Sunday. Fifteen people have stated they are IN for Week 1, so we have 4 groups at 9:40am at Hernando Oaks. One spot remains for any undecideds or guests. And we got a great group rate of $25.
I played a scouting round there today to see the conditions. They're... frustrating. The greens are soft, medium paced, and overall pretty great. The rough isn't thick and the ball will sit up mostly. But the fairways are dormant / dry / hard / dead? It is Scotland-esque with how far the ball will roll on those fairways, and how tight the lies are. There are going to be a ton of pitchers bought this weekend. In our practice round, we were +5, +10, +10, and +20 for a total of 4 hypothetical pitchers!
Seriously... when it comes to the fairways... just remember these conditions are normal in MANY places of the world. We aren't used to them... but it isn't really unfair.
Also, be sure to get there early enough to pay your entry fee ($10) and check in. Don't roll up at 9:35am.
------------------------
Local Rule Change:
For this event only, you may pick up your ball from a bunker, rake the sand, and then place it back down. They've put sugar sand in the greenside traps, and the good people of Brooksville apparently don't like using rakes. I'll remind everyone on Sunday of this rule change.
------------------------
Projections:
Katie is going to smoke the field with her 33 handicap. She'll keep the ball in play off the tee and get a ton of roll from the fast fairways. Everyone will struggle around the greens so that will eliminate any advantage the low handicappers usually have. Gorecki will argue in the clubhouse that she only deserves 87% of the payout because she's a woman.
Dave will finish DFL with at least 2 triple bogeys. JW holds a firm grip on the basement spot, but pars the final hole to finish 2nd to last. Six pitchers will be bought.
I'm going to randomize the groups tomorrow and post them on the blog. See you all Sunday.
I got a text the other day from Tall Mike stating that it would be fun to have a league event at a difficult course, to see a wide range of positive net scores. He was referring specifically to Westchase... but I kinda feel like most of the courses we play beat us up. Only 4 courses in league history have an average (and median) net score under par. That leaves 33 courses with par or worse average net!
Anyway, he's getting his wish on Sunday. Fifteen people have stated they are IN for Week 1, so we have 4 groups at 9:40am at Hernando Oaks. One spot remains for any undecideds or guests. And we got a great group rate of $25.
I played a scouting round there today to see the conditions. They're... frustrating. The greens are soft, medium paced, and overall pretty great. The rough isn't thick and the ball will sit up mostly. But the fairways are dormant / dry / hard / dead? It is Scotland-esque with how far the ball will roll on those fairways, and how tight the lies are. There are going to be a ton of pitchers bought this weekend. In our practice round, we were +5, +10, +10, and +20 for a total of 4 hypothetical pitchers!
Seriously... when it comes to the fairways... just remember these conditions are normal in MANY places of the world. We aren't used to them... but it isn't really unfair.
Also, be sure to get there early enough to pay your entry fee ($10) and check in. Don't roll up at 9:35am.
------------------------
Local Rule Change:
For this event only, you may pick up your ball from a bunker, rake the sand, and then place it back down. They've put sugar sand in the greenside traps, and the good people of Brooksville apparently don't like using rakes. I'll remind everyone on Sunday of this rule change.
------------------------
Projections:
Katie is going to smoke the field with her 33 handicap. She'll keep the ball in play off the tee and get a ton of roll from the fast fairways. Everyone will struggle around the greens so that will eliminate any advantage the low handicappers usually have. Gorecki will argue in the clubhouse that she only deserves 87% of the payout because she's a woman.
Dave will finish DFL with at least 2 triple bogeys. JW holds a firm grip on the basement spot, but pars the final hole to finish 2nd to last. Six pitchers will be bought.
I'm going to randomize the groups tomorrow and post them on the blog. See you all Sunday.
Friday, December 30, 2016
The Rapture
Once I acquired our new "Ryder Cup" trophy, and spent a few weeks attempting to ruin it with various drill holes and chemicals, I needed to come up with a theme. The actual Ryder Cup was named after the physical trophy donated by Samuel Ryder.
Mr. Ryder was just a golf fan who didn't even play the game until age 50, but had the money to commission a trophy. Simple... sort of odd... but it's been around so long it works.
But we now have, for better or worse, "The Moses." There are a lot of great Moses related events to reference, like the time he became the first human to ever successfully converse with a plant. While it was on fire, no less. But the "Burning Bush Brouhaha" sounds a little too scandalous.
So we're going to take a slight Biblical side-step and call it "The Rapture." Here's a brief explanation for heathens like Faz:
The Rapture (first written about in 1830!) is a belief that during the 2nd coming of Christ, all believers will ascend to Heaven, leaving all non-believers left on Earth to await the end of the world. The idea has sparked countless "end of the world" prophecies, including the more recent and widely reported May 21, 2011 prediction by evangelist Harold Camping.
[Side Note: Harold wasn't "wrong." He suffered a stroke 19 days later and died in 2013 after falling in his home. Taking into account margin of error, it was a pretty accurate prediction of his final day on Earth. The rest of us, however, are stuck here.]
So how is this related to our event? Well... once a year the good golfers will be drafted into the competition, while the terrible golfers are left behind. It also rolls off the tongue:
Gary: "Hey, Gorecki! You going to The Rapture this year?"
Gorecki: "No, I didn't qualify. Probably because I don't understand that OB is a stroke AND distance penalty."
As in previous years, qualifying will be based on your "Official Golf Ranking," locking after the 1st Major of the Summer season. To get on that list, you need at least 8 events in the previous rolling 18. This means even the rookies can qualify if they play in 8 of the next 12.
I'll start asking everyone for availability soon (August dates). We will also be moving to a 3 day event, playing one round per day starting on a Friday. We've been lucky in the past, but rain and darkness have almost ruined the first day every year. The plan is for an Ocala/Inverness trip in 2017, and will hopefully include Black Diamond... one of the best courses in Florida, and a place that won't find any of this amusing.
So play often... play well... and get selected.
Mr. Ryder was just a golf fan who didn't even play the game until age 50, but had the money to commission a trophy. Simple... sort of odd... but it's been around so long it works.
But we now have, for better or worse, "The Moses." There are a lot of great Moses related events to reference, like the time he became the first human to ever successfully converse with a plant. While it was on fire, no less. But the "Burning Bush Brouhaha" sounds a little too scandalous.
So we're going to take a slight Biblical side-step and call it "The Rapture." Here's a brief explanation for heathens like Faz:
The Rapture (first written about in 1830!) is a belief that during the 2nd coming of Christ, all believers will ascend to Heaven, leaving all non-believers left on Earth to await the end of the world. The idea has sparked countless "end of the world" prophecies, including the more recent and widely reported May 21, 2011 prediction by evangelist Harold Camping.
[Side Note: Harold wasn't "wrong." He suffered a stroke 19 days later and died in 2013 after falling in his home. Taking into account margin of error, it was a pretty accurate prediction of his final day on Earth. The rest of us, however, are stuck here.]
So how is this related to our event? Well... once a year the good golfers will be drafted into the competition, while the terrible golfers are left behind. It also rolls off the tongue:
Gary: "Hey, Gorecki! You going to The Rapture this year?"
Gorecki: "No, I didn't qualify. Probably because I don't understand that OB is a stroke AND distance penalty."
 |
| Sorry, Mike. Maybe next year. |
As in previous years, qualifying will be based on your "Official Golf Ranking," locking after the 1st Major of the Summer season. To get on that list, you need at least 8 events in the previous rolling 18. This means even the rookies can qualify if they play in 8 of the next 12.
I'll start asking everyone for availability soon (August dates). We will also be moving to a 3 day event, playing one round per day starting on a Friday. We've been lucky in the past, but rain and darkness have almost ruined the first day every year. The plan is for an Ocala/Inverness trip in 2017, and will hopefully include Black Diamond... one of the best courses in Florida, and a place that won't find any of this amusing.
So play often... play well... and get selected.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
The New "Ryder Cup" Trophy
I've been alluding to this for over a year, but the time has come to re-brand our annual team tournament. While it's structured after the famous USA vs. Europe exhibition, we need something specifically unique to us. And it should be consistent with our league name... as in... it shouldn't make any sense.
Over the past year I've been scouring the internet looking for a trophy. Once I found/built the hardware we're playing for, I could craft the story behind it. I also wanted a heavy, sturdy, mostly Darren-proof item. Something cast in bronze would be perfect. And it should make people scratch their heads when we bring it inside the clubhouse after the event.
There are a ton of random bronze statues on the internet for sale. Many of them are fantastic works of art, and quite expensive. I almost pulled the trigger a few times, but I found pieces coming from China had inconsistent prices and questionable quality descriptions. I couldn't chance wasting league money on something that wasn't as advertised. We run a tight financial ship over here.
So my journey continued. Aimlessly wandering around the web for what seemed like 40 years, desperately searching for the Promised Trophy. And then he appeared... residing in New Jersey... it's motherfuckin' Moses!
Moses was the original superhero (or supervillain, to the Egyptians), and the embodiment of law, persistence, strength and unwavering blind-faith. He was an unstoppable killing-machine with a temper that would make the Hulk blush. Sure, Mo' only straight up murdered one person. But he used the powers and word of God to rack up a body count in the tens of thousands. All while living off psychedelic mushrooms.
Weighing 12 lbs. and standing 14.5" tall, "The Moses" also doesn't mess around. He can currently preside over the next 9 years of competition, at which point I'll need to figure out a new base. Lil Mo' will also live with, protect, and judge the shit out of the winning captain for a year. And all victorious team members will be immortalized on Mo's pedestal.
Dave will take the first official possession of The Moses on Week 1 of the new season. And next week I'll tell you about the other slight changes to the event.
Over the past year I've been scouring the internet looking for a trophy. Once I found/built the hardware we're playing for, I could craft the story behind it. I also wanted a heavy, sturdy, mostly Darren-proof item. Something cast in bronze would be perfect. And it should make people scratch their heads when we bring it inside the clubhouse after the event.
There are a ton of random bronze statues on the internet for sale. Many of them are fantastic works of art, and quite expensive. I almost pulled the trigger a few times, but I found pieces coming from China had inconsistent prices and questionable quality descriptions. I couldn't chance wasting league money on something that wasn't as advertised. We run a tight financial ship over here.
So my journey continued. Aimlessly wandering around the web for what seemed like 40 years, desperately searching for the Promised Trophy. And then he appeared... residing in New Jersey... it's motherfuckin' Moses!
 |
| Hello. |
Moses was the original superhero (or supervillain, to the Egyptians), and the embodiment of law, persistence, strength and unwavering blind-faith. He was an unstoppable killing-machine with a temper that would make the Hulk blush. Sure, Mo' only straight up murdered one person. But he used the powers and word of God to rack up a body count in the tens of thousands. All while living off psychedelic mushrooms.
Weighing 12 lbs. and standing 14.5" tall, "The Moses" also doesn't mess around. He can currently preside over the next 9 years of competition, at which point I'll need to figure out a new base. Lil Mo' will also live with, protect, and judge the shit out of the winning captain for a year. And all victorious team members will be immortalized on Mo's pedestal.
 |
| Behold. |
Dave will take the first official possession of The Moses on Week 1 of the new season. And next week I'll tell you about the other slight changes to the event.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
DFL Dinner
While everyone knows about the prestigious Champions Dinner that takes place twice a year, few know about the DFL Dinner.
After each season, everyone who has ever finished last place (with at least 4 tournaments played) meet at the local soup kitchen.
The most current loser gets to top his soup off with Tabasco sauce.
Surprisingly, no one has ever "won" the award twice:
Here's an inside look into the most recent gathering:
After each season, everyone who has ever finished last place (with at least 4 tournaments played) meet at the local soup kitchen.
The most current loser gets to top his soup off with Tabasco sauce.
Surprisingly, no one has ever "won" the award twice:
2012 Summer - Bito
2013 Spring - Scuba Steve
2013 Summer - Ben G.
2014 Spring - Tall Mike
2014 Summer - Geoff
2015 Spring - JW
2015 Summer - Gorecki
2016 Spring - Big John
2016 Summer - Troy
Here's an inside look into the most recent gathering:
 |
| Haters gonna say it's fake. |
Monday, December 19, 2016
Ocala Review
Played Candler Hills and Stone Creek up in Ocala yesterday. Both courses were great, in excellent shape, and could be used in our "Ryder Cup" event next year. We were basically looking for a good "alternate shot" course.
Stone Creek was more traditional, with a lot of water hazards and a few giant oak trees planted in the middle of fairways. We teed it forward, and it still played a lot harder than it's 117 slope. All around a nice course, which we'll use if we need to.
But Candler Hills was a lot more "fun." It's insanely open off the tee, has zero water hazards, and giant greens which were in great shape. The layout is excellent with a handful of short par 4s. One is designed to be driveable by most of the league. The par 3s are difficult at about 170+, and there's a 560 yard uphill par 5 (670 from the tips) that requires you to hit 3 good long shots. It's just a mixed bag of everything. It reminded me of an easier version of Esplanade.
But that's not to say you couldn't put up a big number. The elevation change in the greens is more than anything we play on a regular basis. And there is OB on almost every hole if you hit it 30+ yards off the fairway. They also have close to 100 bunkers on the course.
Considering the difficulty of Black Diamond and Juliette Falls, this would be my first choice for alternate shot (notice how I didn't write "scramble").
-----------------------------------------
It appears all league members from the "computer generation" have finally figured out how to register for events. So remember to UPDATE your selections as your schedule changes. The list will update in real time (just don't change the name you entered in the sheet).
When I book a course (usually a week out), I'll reserve a spot for all the IN people. For example, if I were to book Week 1 now, I'd get 4 groups for the 14 "IN" responses. This leaves two spots open for the "???" people. First come first served on those spots. Sometimes we'll have extra space, sometimes we won't. So it's important to keep your selection current.
In the future I see penalties handed out to people who are IN but then bail the week of an event. But for this season, we'll just see how it goes.
We're also going to lock league membership for the Spring 2017 season. If you're on the list today, congrats! You made it! Any new people are still welcome if space is available, but they'll be playing to establish handicaps for the summer.
-----------------------------------------
I got some more updates coming down the pipe this week, one of which will be the re-branding of the "Ryder Cup." But everyone has 13 days remaining before handicaps are locked for Week 1. So go practice!
Stone Creek was more traditional, with a lot of water hazards and a few giant oak trees planted in the middle of fairways. We teed it forward, and it still played a lot harder than it's 117 slope. All around a nice course, which we'll use if we need to.
But Candler Hills was a lot more "fun." It's insanely open off the tee, has zero water hazards, and giant greens which were in great shape. The layout is excellent with a handful of short par 4s. One is designed to be driveable by most of the league. The par 3s are difficult at about 170+, and there's a 560 yard uphill par 5 (670 from the tips) that requires you to hit 3 good long shots. It's just a mixed bag of everything. It reminded me of an easier version of Esplanade.
But that's not to say you couldn't put up a big number. The elevation change in the greens is more than anything we play on a regular basis. And there is OB on almost every hole if you hit it 30+ yards off the fairway. They also have close to 100 bunkers on the course.
Considering the difficulty of Black Diamond and Juliette Falls, this would be my first choice for alternate shot (notice how I didn't write "scramble").
-----------------------------------------
It appears all league members from the "computer generation" have finally figured out how to register for events. So remember to UPDATE your selections as your schedule changes. The list will update in real time (just don't change the name you entered in the sheet).
When I book a course (usually a week out), I'll reserve a spot for all the IN people. For example, if I were to book Week 1 now, I'd get 4 groups for the 14 "IN" responses. This leaves two spots open for the "???" people. First come first served on those spots. Sometimes we'll have extra space, sometimes we won't. So it's important to keep your selection current.
In the future I see penalties handed out to people who are IN but then bail the week of an event. But for this season, we'll just see how it goes.
We're also going to lock league membership for the Spring 2017 season. If you're on the list today, congrats! You made it! Any new people are still welcome if space is available, but they'll be playing to establish handicaps for the summer.
-----------------------------------------
I got some more updates coming down the pipe this week, one of which will be the re-branding of the "Ryder Cup." But everyone has 13 days remaining before handicaps are locked for Week 1. So go practice!
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Gorecki - By The Numbers
Gorecki has played 35 events, 36 rounds and 648 holes in league history. Let's break down his career "by the numbers." Thanks to Faz and his stats sheet for some of these.
742 - Number of views (as of this writing) on his obituary page.
595 - Number of holes played until he recorded his first birdie.
68 - Number of career pars or better (fewer than 2 per round on average).
50 - Highest strokes over par (gross) in an event (Pebble Creek in Spring 2016).
35 - Average (gross) strokes over par per round.
30 - Length in inches (2.5') of the gimmie putt he begged for, didn't get, and then posted about looking for sympathy.
9 - Number of events (26%) he finished DFL.
3 - Number of Long Drives ever won.
2 - Number of times he shot a gross score HIGHER than the course's slope.
1 - Number of strokes Gorecki attempts to shave every time he goes OB.
0.25 - Average number of Greenies per round.
0 - Number of times he's broken 90. Also, number of Sandies ever recorded. And number of women he feels comfortable around.
742 - Number of views (as of this writing) on his obituary page.
595 - Number of holes played until he recorded his first birdie.
68 - Number of career pars or better (fewer than 2 per round on average).
50 - Highest strokes over par (gross) in an event (Pebble Creek in Spring 2016).
35 - Average (gross) strokes over par per round.
30 - Length in inches (2.5') of the gimmie putt he begged for, didn't get, and then posted about looking for sympathy.
9 - Number of events (26%) he finished DFL.
3 - Number of Long Drives ever won.
2 - Number of times he shot a gross score HIGHER than the course's slope.
1 - Number of strokes Gorecki attempts to shave every time he goes OB.
0.25 - Average number of Greenies per round.
0 - Number of times he's broken 90. Also, number of Sandies ever recorded. And number of women he feels comfortable around.
Monday, December 12, 2016
Weekend Recap
Off-season scouting continues.
Heritage Harbor was... well... Heritage Harbor. A tricked up difficult course that's cheap in the winter. The greens were decent but really soggy/spongy for some reason. At least they held, unlike Cypress Creek which is in "time out" until those conditions improve. I reckon we'll hit up the HH if we're in a pinch for a local place to play.
I try to keep the greens fees around $45 per round in the winter, and $35 in the summer (non-Majors). Big John thinks we're being "cheap" and wants to play nicer courses every week, but with 19 active members of all different financial situations, it's not reasonable to do so. Remember, I'm a man of the people. I'm not the leader you want, but the one you deserve.
So in the winter, we're gonna play some shit.
Speaking of shit, I caved in and played Mangrove Bay with Mike "Still Doesn't Understand How OB Works" Gorecki. He wants to play his tournament there from the old man tees next season since a lot of people complained about Buffalo Creek. And apparently Gorecki is in the "anti-Countryway" camp.
The course itself is in much better shape than Buffalo Creek. Greens, fairway, rough... everything. It's also much closer for everyone, especially the Westchase people. But the track is insanely easy, and from the old man tees it's even shorter than BC (5,726). A bunch of the tees were about 5 yards behind the Katie Tees.
I'll let Mr. OB come on here and give you his "The purpose of the tournament is...." speech. But feel free to add to the discussion.
------------------------
This week I'm headed up to do the final scouting for next year's "Ryder Cup." Gary, Darren and allegedly Tall Mike are joining... leaving Tampa sometime around 6am. Should be fun.
Be sure to report your scores if you play anywhere.
Heritage Harbor was... well... Heritage Harbor. A tricked up difficult course that's cheap in the winter. The greens were decent but really soggy/spongy for some reason. At least they held, unlike Cypress Creek which is in "time out" until those conditions improve. I reckon we'll hit up the HH if we're in a pinch for a local place to play.
I try to keep the greens fees around $45 per round in the winter, and $35 in the summer (non-Majors). Big John thinks we're being "cheap" and wants to play nicer courses every week, but with 19 active members of all different financial situations, it's not reasonable to do so. Remember, I'm a man of the people. I'm not the leader you want, but the one you deserve.
So in the winter, we're gonna play some shit.
Speaking of shit, I caved in and played Mangrove Bay with Mike "Still Doesn't Understand How OB Works" Gorecki. He wants to play his tournament there from the old man tees next season since a lot of people complained about Buffalo Creek. And apparently Gorecki is in the "anti-Countryway" camp.
The course itself is in much better shape than Buffalo Creek. Greens, fairway, rough... everything. It's also much closer for everyone, especially the Westchase people. But the track is insanely easy, and from the old man tees it's even shorter than BC (5,726). A bunch of the tees were about 5 yards behind the Katie Tees.
I'll let Mr. OB come on here and give you his "The purpose of the tournament is...." speech. But feel free to add to the discussion.
------------------------
This week I'm headed up to do the final scouting for next year's "Ryder Cup." Gary, Darren and allegedly Tall Mike are joining... leaving Tampa sometime around 6am. Should be fun.
Be sure to report your scores if you play anywhere.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Sunday Group Update
Have 2 groups for the following people this Sunday:
Chandler
Darren
Gorecki
Faz
Brendan
Big John
Casey
Reid
9am-ish at Heritage Harbor. NOT Heritage Isles. Don't go to the wrong course.
Chandler
Darren
Gorecki
Faz
Brendan
Big John
Casey
Reid
9am-ish at Heritage Harbor. NOT Heritage Isles. Don't go to the wrong course.
Monday, December 5, 2016
November Handicap Tracker
Man, look at all the blog posts saying "Gorecki, where is this month's handicap tracker??" Settle down, it may be a few days late but its here. Glad to see my efforts are appreciated though. Kind of like Chandler and this blog he created, and maintains, and updates, and does fancy graphs, spreadsheets, and now registration response forms. Good Lord, you think he does all this while NOT on company time?? (Darren??)
Anyways, looks like some "new" members officially qualified as DPT members and now carry a handicap. And timing couldn't have been better because without Katie's HC entry, I would've found myself back in the cellar as JW and Geoff have a lower HC by ONE TENTH of a point! I'm sure Dub has enjoyed taking my money on some low gross HC bets we've made during the past couple of exhibition matches. Makes the game more fun and also keeps us motivated to keep taking lessons, practicing, and playing rounds during the off season. And after reading that Katie beat 4 league members on Saturday in GROSS, I can't see her HC staying in the thirties for very long.
Not only did the bottom end of the tracker see movement, the top did as well with Dave dropping a whole point this month! He leap frogged Dan who has a whole 2 rounds recorded over the past 6 months. The league has rules on getting a handicap established, is there a rule where he's in danger of getting dropped?
Outside of those mentioned above not a lot of shuffling of handicap "rankings". More drops and no changes in handicaps than increases this month so props to the improver's.
Only 4 weekends left to play until next season commences.. get your sandbagged errrr low rounds sent in!
Anyways, looks like some "new" members officially qualified as DPT members and now carry a handicap. And timing couldn't have been better because without Katie's HC entry, I would've found myself back in the cellar as JW and Geoff have a lower HC by ONE TENTH of a point! I'm sure Dub has enjoyed taking my money on some low gross HC bets we've made during the past couple of exhibition matches. Makes the game more fun and also keeps us motivated to keep taking lessons, practicing, and playing rounds during the off season. And after reading that Katie beat 4 league members on Saturday in GROSS, I can't see her HC staying in the thirties for very long.
Not only did the bottom end of the tracker see movement, the top did as well with Dave dropping a whole point this month! He leap frogged Dan who has a whole 2 rounds recorded over the past 6 months. The league has rules on getting a handicap established, is there a rule where he's in danger of getting dropped?
Outside of those mentioned above not a lot of shuffling of handicap "rankings". More drops and no changes in handicaps than increases this month so props to the improver's.
Only 4 weekends left to play until next season commences.. get your sandbagged errrr low rounds sent in!
Weekend Recap & More Practice Rounds
Good day out at Lexington Oaks on Saturday. The weather was absolutely perfect, and the course was in pretty good shape. Based on my "napkin math," Geoff and Darren played well shooting even par (net). But Katie shot a 43 (gross) on the back nine to go -4 (net). It was a driving clinic, with her striping every tee shot 200ish down the middle, and on one hole driving the green and needing to apologize to the guys in front of us.
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I'll be playing hurt on Sunday morning somewhere. Around 9am, somewhere not too far out of town. Comment if you want in.
Also comment if you want in on the December 18th trip to play 36 holes up in Ocala. It's the final part of our "Ryder Cup" recon mission. I know Gary and Darren are in so far. I gotta book that on Sunday, so speak up now.
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Finally, we only have SIX people who need to fill out the registration form for next season. Be sure to do that or I'm not going to save a spot for you week 1. If it worked for 13 people, you can only blame user error and failure to read the directions if you're having issues (Tall Mike).
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I'll be playing hurt on Sunday morning somewhere. Around 9am, somewhere not too far out of town. Comment if you want in.
Also comment if you want in on the December 18th trip to play 36 holes up in Ocala. It's the final part of our "Ryder Cup" recon mission. I know Gary and Darren are in so far. I gotta book that on Sunday, so speak up now.
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Finally, we only have SIX people who need to fill out the registration form for next season. Be sure to do that or I'm not going to save a spot for you week 1. If it worked for 13 people, you can only blame user error and failure to read the directions if you're having issues (Tall Mike).
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
2017 - PGA Fantasy Golf Pool
Next week I'll be sending out the selection sheet for the 2017 PGA Fantasy Golf Pool. A bunch of you participated last year. Some of you didn't.
It's a "pick and forget" league, requiring you to do zero work after making your initial selections, which makes it perfect for some of you people.
If you didn't play last year and want to give it a shot, make a comment and I'll add your email to the initial distribution list.
It's a "pick and forget" league, requiring you to do zero work after making your initial selections, which makes it perfect for some of you people.
If you didn't play last year and want to give it a shot, make a comment and I'll add your email to the initial distribution list.
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