Brendan won his 2nd event of the season, picking up his 5th Major and 9th career victory. It was an impressive performance, tying his career low-gross (83). If only our evil Dictator (that's me!) was able to magically turn his non-committal "maybe" into a 21st spot (5th tee time) down at University Park... he might have won his first Cup!
But alas, he'll have to settle for a killer stretch of tournament golf — winning three of his last six events. Look for him to be a coveted pick at the 2023 Rapture Draft this weekend.
Faz also played well at Skyview, shooting a 79 (gross), finishing solo-second, and locking up the top Captain spot for the Rapture. The result must feel bittersweet for Faz, who historically can't seem to win on the biggest stages. His career record at Majors definitely calls into question his Hall of Fame eligibility. He's basically Davis Love III.
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Major Disappointment
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Reid also got into the mix with a clutch birdie on #17... only to throw it away with a double bogey on 18. While a win would have pushed Reid past Darren as the most prolific Major winner in history... it still wasn't going to be enough to get his name etched on the Cup.
In part because we are no longer etching names on the Cup. It's seen better days, but there was a lot of discussion about a replacement. Or building a base for it. The Board needs to designate a Trophy Committee to handle such things.
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Outgoing Champion picture - since we didn't get one last season.
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Anyway... the day belonged to Dave and Topor.
Nobody really expected there to be much drama, since Topor's newfound love of "smart golf" is only a week old.
But I'm told he bunted the ball around the course when needed, avoiding anything worse than double bogey. This is exactly how a 23.9 Index should play. Bogeys should be the goal, since they are basically pars and sometimes birdies. Pars (of which Topor had 3) should only be considered a lucky bonus, and Sunday's pars equated to -5 (net)!
Speaking of lucky, I'm also told Topor used the wide and forgiving layout of Skyview to his advantage... getting multiple fortuitous bounces off trees, houses, and pool screens. Take it from a Gypsy... when golf gives you good bounces you better do something with them.
The entire field — and perhaps those of you watching from home — could not believe Dave had 3 birdies on the front nine, was -2 (gross), and only led Topor by three at the turn. Dave realized he had to start chasing scores on the back, and just relentlessly grinded out each hole. However, the birdies weren't falling, and he was hanging on for dear life hoping that Topor would implode.
It's not fun, but that's the beauty of competition. And when you're stuck waiting on poor play from others, it rarely works out in your favor. Topor and Dave found themselves tied (net) after #17, and the stage was set for an epic finishing hole.
I've changed my mind about the 18th hole at Skyview. Overall... it's a bad hole design-wise. But it creates a lot of drama, much like the terrible 18th hole at Grasslands. The 2022 Rapture also came down to the 18th at Skyview, with Reid making a clutch par to beat Melberg and win the Moses for Captain Troy.
Yesterday expanded the storied history of Skyview's 18th.
Topor — getting two strokes — found the middle of the fairway and had 155 yards in. Meanwhile, Dave pulled his tee shot into the trees/bushes, and had to punch out to the middle of the fairway short of the green. Unless Dave got up-and-down for par... Topor just needed to card a double-bogey 6 to win the season!
The worst thing he could do is hit his approach into the massive lake right of the green. Without a doubt, the spectators assumed he would bail out way left, where there was 20 yards of fairway grass and then another 15 yards of rough up a steep hill. Landing short of the green is OK, but Topor and Dave probably weren't aware of how soft and wet the grass was in that location.
Topor took a mighty lash with an iron... and immediately at impact... we all knew it was in the water.
Everything Topor had learned over the last two weeks was all for naught. I'd say we were speechless, but there was plenty of colorful commentary.
Topor drops in the rough by the cartparth (3rd stroke), and chocolate chip chunks it short of the green in the soft, wet grass (laying 4). Dave's approach (3rd stroke) comes up short in the same grass, so we still have a match on our hands.
Topor wisely decides to putt (5th stroke) — which eliminates any nervy chips — but he didn't hit it firm enough to get through the soggy surface. Dave does, and is able to tap in for a bogey 5 (gross).
Topor now has about a 10 foot putt for double-bogey, from the fringe, to win the Cup. He leaves it slightly short, handing Dave his 2nd Championship.
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2023 Summer Champion
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Final thoughts:
- This was the biggest collapse in Club history, being that the hardest part of 18 was over and Topor laid -1 (net) in the middle of the fairway. But it shouldn't take away from his good play over the course of the season.
- We also shouldn't ignore the fact that Dave played his ass off, shooting the lowest score he probably could that day, and still only tied Topor in the event.
- Our last four Champions (Dave, Buchert, Melberg, Dave) were all low handicaps.
- The Brown Boys are in a dark place... avoid at all cost! You've been warned!
- After the Rapture we'll hold Board elections. Let me know if you want to run for a seat. We can vote on any playing rule changes at our next meeting.
- I typically refuse to plan any events after the Rapture, but I'm probably going to do a few social outings and possibly a tournament. We have a responsibility to keep our social status as a Club active.
Great season and year everyone!
