The Hangover - Summer 2025 Recap

Despite our earlier concerns, The Friendly Tarpon was good fun on Saturday. It was a decent spot to hang and talk... no deafening music blaring or overly weird locals. And we had a good turnout with over half the field meeting up, plus a couple of non-participants.

 

However, the drinks were flowing at what felt like an elevated rate... and it definitely took its toll on a handful of us.

 

But not Billy! Fueled by enough 0.0s to give some concern... he shot what I believe is a personal best 37 (gross) on the front nine. Of course, the "Falcon" nine is where things get really dicey, and the ejection that followed was predicted by many. Still, his -4 (net) was good enough to win 1st prize in the Hangover side-pot —  a bonus $49!

 

Right behind Billy was Topor, who is once again compiling a solid season. He earned a bonus $21 from the side-pot, and probably could have won the entire thing if he manned up and consumed just one more beer at the bar. Excellent play regardless, as one of the handful of people who shot better on Falcon than Osprey.

 

Reid and Chandler finished middle of the pack, with no real chance to win the event.

 

And perhaps understandably, the bottom of the leader board was chock-full of bar attendees: Dave, Buchert, Geoff, and Gary... each with too many blow-ups to earn any points.

 

 

Not pictured: Buchert

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Scepter was good. I still don't "like" the Falcon nine... but it isn't unfair. It was actually kind of fun making the turn knowing that carnage was waiting for the leaders.

 

The greens weren't as good as in years past. They were a little too slow today, but at least they were soft which made it slightly easier on approach. The O/F routing held its +2.5 median net score to par, making it one of the easier tracks on our list.

 

We'll probably wait a bit to return until the Ibis/Osprey routing is available. I can only imagine they'll desperately need our business in the future.

 

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We now have nine different winners this season, with only two events remaining. Billy has assumed the top spot only 67.5 points ahead of Melberg. Troy is lurking again, while Brendan, Topor and Reid are in position to possibly win their first ever season title.

 

We have a tough test coming up at Crescent Oaks, a course we haven't played in 2.5 years. It's a beast, playing +7.0 median net to par... and conditions are usually just "meh" at best. I actually picked it since we've been traveling pretty far from the nest lately, and we really should hit up the Trinity / East Lake area once in awhile... despite having one of the worst selections of courses in our rota: Wentworth, Lansbrook, Tarpon Woods, The Eagles, and even Fox Hollow appears to have fallen.

 

At least recent reviews of Crescent Oaks are promising. Is that reality? Probably not. But the best thing about this Club is all the different places we play. Even the turds.

 

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It looks like Adam is setting up a 7:30am final round at Cabot Citrus in two weeks. They have a "Florida Resident" special of $135+ (rack is $220+ at the moment). There will be 20 spots available, so update your RSVPs now. Any maybes are going to get booted fairly quickly.

 

Much more on this later, but now's your chance to see what all the hype is about... and why I think it kinda sucks. 

2025 Rapture Analysis

We have three events remaining in the season, at which point we'll lock the Rapture rankings (using our "World Golf Rankings"). As previously mentioned, we're taking 12 players down to Sebring on October 9th through 12th.

 

As for Captains, it was widely assumed Geoff and Chandler had the inside track. Perhaps they did. But mediocre play lately has changed the picture.

 

Below is an expanded standings with their floor added - the number of points top players will have if they get zeros the rest of the season. As you can see... Tall Mike is looking good to be Captain for the fourth time ever! Unbelievable!

 

Although he's been blown out all three previous times.

 

Many of the alternates — and a few of the bubble boys — realistically were never going to attend. But if you want to improve your ranking... show up and play well!

 

 

The Hangover - Summer 2025 Preview

9:30am

$72-ish

Long drive on #7

Range is not on site so get there EARLY (read below) 

 

This Sunday we're playing what I believe is a real hidden gem in the area... Scepter. It's the private course within ClubLink's Sun City Center property (the public one is Club Renaissance).

 

Historically they've only reluctantly let us play.. last hosting us in 2021. But I recently discovered there was a new head pro, and upon contact he's been very agreeable. So don't fuck this up for us!

 

Of course, every good is balanced out by some bad:

 

Good - Scepter was designed by Chip Powell who also did Big Cypress and Club Renaissance. Fair, interesting greens, and a mix of target golf with a few wider forgiving holes.

 

Bad - Years ago the owners shut down another course called Falcon Watch, which was a stinker designed by Ron Garl. They took that nine and added it to the Scepter brand. We're playing this nine (Falcon) because one of the others (Ibis) is closed for green renovations. And believe me... there are some real turds on the Falcon nine.

 

Good - I was told there was no recent aerification or maintenance. 

 

Bad - Because it's private there aren't any online reviews to verify recent conditions. 

 

Good - Range balls are free!

 

Bad - The range is nowhere near the course. You should drive there BEFORE checking in if you want to hit balls. But those of you with bad time management will be DQ'd when we tee off without you. 

 

Map from clubhouse (bottom) to driving rage.

Good - The course is fairly short. Shorter is always more fun!

 

Bad - Ya'll are going to hate whatever hole I choose to be long drive. So we're going with #7... a par 5 that can produce as many maxes as pars. Just hit it in the fairway and see how it shakes out.

 

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It looks like Waze takes you to the correct entrance, which is here:

 

 

I moved Ho, Melberg, and Dave to the BLUE tees. Let me know if that's not correct or if anyone else wants to move back.

 

 

See you Saturday or Sunday or perhaps never again!

FBGC Championship - Summer 2025 Recap

Brendan led most of the day, reaching -3 (net) after a great drive, pitch, and putt on the phenomenal long-drive 14th hole. He was 3 strokes ahead of Troy at that point, and seemingly in command of his entire game.

 

BD received an excellent read on a 20-foot downhill putt for birdie on 15... only to hit it a few feet by the hole and then push the comeback for a bogey (net par). Troy makes par to cut the lead to 2 strokes.

 

Brendan made bogey on 16 — which only Dave and Dan parred — to regain a 3-stroke advantage after Troy topped his tee shot into the water.

 

Assuming Troy pars the final two holes (which, of course, he did)... the birthday boy would need to finish +3 (gross) on that stretch to share a victory.

 

The 17th is pretty short with water down the right... and Brendan pull-hooked a 3-iron into the left woods to make a 7 (with another short missed putt, I believe). Then on 18 he pulls driver into the left bushes, and tries to muscle an iron for his next shot... but it pull/tops back into the shit.. and ends up with another triple bogey.

 

Absolutely gutting to watch, as he played stellar golf most of the day.

 

So congrats to Troy who won his 7th Major, and jumps to 2nd place on the standings... a mere 65 points behind Melberg! 

 

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Celebration was decent. A few bare spots in fairways but nothing our generous lift-clean-place fairway rule couldn't overcome. The greens were... also decent? Dave is correct that they've been much better out there in previous years.

 

But for $70 and a free lunch and range balls... it's one of the best deals around. Thanks again to Gorecki for calling them to enhance our deal. We should go back at some point.

 

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I'll post about the upcoming golf at Scepter later. 

 

Our season party is this Saturday night at the Friendly Tarpon (3120 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611) in "Interbay." I've never been, but John says it's good. He's also probably saying that because he can allegedly walk there... but he's not in the field Sunday so don't expect to see him.

 

They have limited food, and only beer/wine. So eat beforehand and bring a flask? 

 

Anyway, it can't be worse than Wild Rover Brewing. Come out after 8pm if you want to hang out. 

 

I reckon I'll see about 7 of you then!

The Championship - Summer 2025 Preview

9:15am

Long drive on #14 (par 4) 

 

We're playing Celebration Golf Club for the first time in league play history, a course we used for the 2020 Rapture. I've only played it a few times... and it's a decent course. 

 

A bit "target golf" in spots, as you should expect in swampy Florida. The "base tees" are fairly short due to the elevated "Bogey Rating" of 93.0 — which means a male golfer with a 20.0 Index should shoot a 93 from the Gold/Silver combo tees.

 

Some of you might want to try moving back for a couple of strokes. But if you've never played it, I'd look at your past performances at courses like Rosedale and Westchase before deciding.

 

Here's a link to the scorecard. 

 

We have to give them an exact number this week. Anyone who bails after Wednesday might be charged the greens fee ($75-ish). So update your RSVP now.

 

See you Sunday. 

 

Please note... if anyone asks if you're part of the Builder Convention (at the Gaylord Hotel)... the answer is "yes." If they ask for proof... the answer is "no hablo Ingles." Following these easy steps might save you $10 and get you free range balls.

Match Play - Summer 2025 Recap

Faz won what was probably his last event of the season, with stellar play on and around the greens (for the first 16 holes). It was an impressive display of patience on a very difficult course, in sweltering hot conditions.

 

Playing like you have nothing to lose is the only way to traverse Waterlefe.

 

The rest of us were fairly unimpressive. Gary was surprisingly in 2nd place after 15 holes before going triple, double, max to end his round and lose to Brendan. Melberg — the current season standings leader — had 10 pars in a row before making double on 18 to drop to 3rd place. And Billy shot -3 (net) on the back to get solo-2nd.

 

The season race is wide open halfway through the schedule, especially with Faz switching to dad-mode. A very tricky Celebration Golf Club in Orlando will definitely shake things up in two weeks.

 

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Speaking of... we need an exact headcount for Celebration a week before we arrive. So update your status now. I'm going to eventually boot anyone who is listed as ???.  And anyone who bails after Wednesday the 23rd will forfeit $75 Chandler Bucks from their balance (assuming they charge me like the fine print says).

 

Speaking of... that $75 comes with lunch after the round... so plan on eating at the club.

 

Also let me know if you have any guests you want to bring. We might as well start an alternate list.

 

See you in two weeks. 

Match Play - Summer 2025 Preview

10:00am

$98

Long Drive on #12 (par 4) 

 

It's been three long years since we've played Waterlefe, due to re-built greens and a closed clubhouse. It's a daunting course, but still beloved by most... and hated by a few. Usually your perception is dictated by past performance, but not so at the Lefe. Geoff told me he liked it and typically plays well there... until we looked up the gross scores of his 11 rounds:

 

99, 106, 103, 102, 98, 103, 112, 114, 105, 105, 99

 

That's quite shit.

 

But he still enjoys the course because it's so visually different. 

 

I've written about Waterlefe for over a decade, so there's no dead horse left to beat. But I did find a post back in Summer 2012 (our first season of stroke-play) with a link to a Deal Caddy coupon allowing us to play there for $20 with BOGO beers in the clubhouse! The standard rack rate then was $35 without the coupon.

 

America will never be that great again.

 

Anyway, Waterlefe is actually ranked average in the difficulty index — with a median net score to par of +4. Chandler (that's me!) dominates this course, never finishing worse than 4th in 8 events. But Casey has actually won the last three tournaments held there. Thankfully for us, he's not playing. Reid has finished T5, 2, T1 in those events... so he's also a threat.

 

For the new guys or you dumb-dumbs who have terrible memories... ride with your opponent. Putt everything out (as usual). Use the hole handicaps on the scorecard... don't trust what I have on the blog as it might be different.

 

Here are the current match-ups (with strokes at 80%) :

 

Melberg vs. Topor (14) - First time ever playing each other.

 

Billy (4) vs. Geoff - First time ever playing each other.

 

Troy (6) vs. Chandler - First time ever playing each other.

 

Gary vs. Brendan - Gary won their only match back in 2014! (1 up)

 

Moostie (1) vs. Buchert -  First time ever playing each other.

 

Marcus (8) vs. Dave - First time ever playing each other.

 

John vs. Ghost Topor (6) - They've never played each other, but the result will only count for John.

 

Faz (3) vs. Ghost Chandler - Chandler leads 1-0-1, but the result will only count for Faz.

  

I'll continue to update the above if the roster changes. Bring guests to fill the missing spots.

 

See you Sunday. 

Match Play Update

Waterlefe called asking for our official headcount. With only 15 Members reporting "IN," we've dropped down to 16 spots - with one open for the "???s" or a guest. 

 Let me know if you want to bring someone. 

The Concussion - Summer 2025 Recap

The Groves might be the finest test in golf, as it continues to produce a wide range of winners. Birdies (23) and Eagles (4) were abundant. That's equates to a lot of fun! Even Big John had two birdies on his way to a +20 (net)!

 

So while we had Gorecki winning last season with a 20 handicap... yesterday Melberg was victorious with only two pops. His five birdies and one eagle vaulted him up the leader board to get his first win in over a year.

 

Troy finished 2nd with nothing worse than a bogey (which I consider "blemish free"), making eagle (net albatross) on the final hole to jump four players in the standings.

 

Overall the scores were much better than usual for The Groves, with only six quads and two maxes. One of those maxes was Faz on #2, who lost 4.5 strokes to the field on that hole alone! And the entire field played holes 14-16 in +5 (gross)!

 

While we'll continue to visit other venues, The Groves is by far the best short course in town.

 

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We're off next week for 4th of July, so enjoy the time with your families. On July 13th we're headed down to Waterlefe for the first time in 3 years. We need to give them an exact headcount a week before... so update your RSVPs now or you might be charged $100.

 

The same thing goes for Celebration on July 27th.

 

See you in a couple of weeks.

Concussion - Summer 2025 Preview

Headed back to The Groves at 9am this Sunday. Looks like we could be dodging rain, especially later in the round.

 

Rate should be about $53.

 

There is a range if you want to get there early to warm-up. 

 

Everyone is on the tips (Blue).

 

Long drive on #16 (par 4).

 

I believe there is a drop zone near the green on #4. It might even be behind the green. We're going to implement our "Huntington Hills local rule": you can't use the drop zone after your tee shot. Nobody has ever attempted, but there have been threats to aim for the green and just go to the drop zone. One issue is it's impossible to see if your ball even made the hazard. So we'll just squash that nonsense now. Feel free to use the drop zone (if there is one) after your 2nd shot.

 

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As for analysis... the course actually plays quite difficult at +6 median net to par. Troy has won 2 of the 5 events at The Groves. Everyone else has finished all over the board. The course doesn't seem to fit any particular player. Either you're hitting it well or you're buying a pitcher.

 

Good thing they're pretty cheap at The Groves.

 

See you then. 

The Open - Summer 2025 Recap

For most of my golfing life, I've told myself 6 pars would easily break 90. That allowed me to record 3 double bogeys... or a worse blow-up hole... and my 13+ handicap would get me right around even (net).

 

In our first two seasons, when I began my reign of terror, I averaged 7 pars (or better) per round. Today I use the 6-par goal to avoid bad pitchers, which is arguably more important than winning.

 

Topor — with his 24 handicap — made 6 pars yesterday at Countryside (B/L). Sitting at -6 (net) with three holes to go (and 5 strokes!), should have been a cakewalk to the winners circle. But our jolliest Member doubled the final three holes, and missed a 2-foot putt on 18, to share the cake with Billy. It was still an excellent round of golf, but only adds to the "Topor the Choker" legacy.

 

And while Billy was seemingly handed a gift, he also jammed himself by over-sleeping and showing up to the first tee straight from the car. Three doubles and a quad in his first five holes ruined what could have been a career round. He was only 5 over (gross) on the final 13 holes!

 

Reid was also in the mix but basically got what he could out of the round — with both good and bad bounces leading to a solo 3rd. Other honorable mentions go to Buchert who payed excellent and would have been solo 2nd if not for a very confusing 10 on the 12th hole. And Casey had four birdies and an eagle to balance out his three doubles and a triple. 

 

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I was personally happy with the course on Sunday. The greens were great despite being punched a few weeks ago. And it seems like forever since we've had receptive putting surfaces, where balls actually stop (or spin back) on approach. Countryside still has a few more trees they need to remove... but maybe a hurricane will take care of that this summer.

 

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We're playing next Sunday at The Groves, at 9am. There are a bunch of open spots so go ahead and bail now!

 

Speaking of open spots... I'm finding more and more courses are pushing hard for us to guarantee player counts. Regardless of our Club policy, if your bailing ever costs us (me) money... you will be charged for it. So if you're on the fence... or you're doing that thing where you're waiting until the last minute to clear it with your boss... go ahead and change your status to OUT.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to have randoms sprinkled in with our group at some point, as courses try to maximize what they call "premium tee times."

 

See you Sunday!

The Open - Summer 2025 Preview

Long Drive #2 

 

Update your RSVPs now! 

 

First Major of the season is at Countryside (B/L) at an early 8:21am start. Thanks to Casey for setting it up.

 

This configuration of TheSide is short, due to the Bay nine having a few target-golf par 4s. We've actually played a Concussion at this location, before Dear Leader put an end to full-sized courses hosting that tournament.

 

It plays fairly difficult (median net score of +6), and Brendan has won both times we've played it. His handicap is currently soft-capped... so look for him to be near the top of the leader board this week too. 

 

Is Countryside a Major-worthy venue? Well... the PGA TOUR did just play a Major at Quail Hollow, which is a regular stop each season.

 

And Countryside is charging us a Major rate... so at least your wallet will feel like it's at an exclusive venue.

 

And that's really what this Club and League is all about. The illusion of exclusivity. Surely the competition, socialization, and quest to improve doesn't matter. What's important is spending a lot of money to complain about the day, the course, the conditions, your lack of skill, your randomized pairing, and how even being there is causing issues at home. That's the real love of the game!

 

Let me know if you want to move back from the WHITE tees. This is an old, but probably accurate scorecard: 

 

 

 See you Sunday!

Skins Game - Summer 2025 Recap

We've now played Seminole Lake three times in Club history, and it has produced a wide range of winners. It's not overly penal, and the main defense is the rock-hard greens (which were re-built two years ago). Eventually they'll be more receptive, and I'd expect the course to finally get them rolling fast... which will be another diabolical challenge — as there's a ton of movement to them.

But in its current state, approach shots are the overall test. This type of set-up can really neutralize all skill levels, since high and low handicappers alike are going to miss a bunch of greens. When this happens... you might as well have a shit ton of strokes in your pocket.

 

So it's no surprise Gorecki won today, as long as he avoided the massive blow-ups. Two of his three pars were net-eagles. Five of his ten bogies were net-birdies. That's impossible to beat. As long as we overlook his 3x disqualification for not turning in a card, grounding his club multiple times in bunkers, and then "signing" an incorrect virtual card over text.

 

Gorecki has now won three times in his last eight events! He'd be a near lock for Rapture Captain if he hadn't also missed 5 tournaments during that stretch.

 

It's the 2nd week in a row he shot a 43 (gross) on the front nine. And he racked up 16 skins which might be a record.

 

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Melberg finished 5 strokes behind Gorecki, and probably didn't leave enough strokes out there to catch him. It was a solid round even if he didn't seem happy about it.

 

Brendan made par on the final two holes to secure solo 3rd.

 

And Billy tied the bad course record (w/ Danny) at 105 (gross).

 

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Overall the course was a great value. I was shocked how good the greens were rolling (albeit slow) for being punched one month ago. And the head pro seems to like us and want us back.

 

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We're off next week for Father's Day and the US Open. See you in two weeks when Casey hosts us at Countryside for our first Major of the season.

 

Be sure to update your RSVP so he can drop a tee time if needed.

Summer 2025 - Week 2

Seminole Lake

10am

Long drive #13

$80ish

 

This course plays fairly easy, especially after they converted the longest par 4 into a short par 5. The greens are firm and will give us the most trouble... and were punched a month ago. But outside of that it's a pretty straight forward course off the tee.

 

Everyone is on the WHITE tees unless you tell me you want to move back... which some of you should. Let me know now since it'll affect the pairings.

 

Scorecard:

 

 

Week 1 Recap

Mother Nature must be a golfer, because she blessed us with some nice weather to kick off the new season. Sunshine, a light breeze, and just enough moisture in the turf to make it feel like a sponge, but not enough to restrict carts—so, naturally, we considered that a win.

Speaking of wins; only ONE pitcher was owed today... shoutout to Big John, who somehow managed to play an entire round of golf without recording a single par on his way to DFL.

Now, on to the real competition—because yes, some people actually came to play golf. Things were tight at the top with Crum (who had 8 pars), Geoff (who opened with four straight pars), and Gorecki, who was in the hunt until the 18th hole absolutely body-slammed his hopes and dreams.

Geoff “The People’s Champion” posted a strong -4 and then proceeded to do what champions do—sit in the clubhouse with a beverage and refresh the live leaderboard like a fantasy football addict in Week 17 to see if he could be caught. Since Crum and Gorecki were both getting 2-strokes on 18, there was a chance...

Gorecki needed a par on the long 18th to tie… but after doubling 17, he would’ve needed a miracle. Instead, he got a reality check. Better luck next time, bud.

But here comes Crum, somehow armed with FOUR sevens on the card, managed a bogey on 18 to sneak into a tie for first—and in a moment historians will remember forever, claimed his FIRST EVER league victory. Congrats, Crum! 

Honorable mention to Reid, who had enough good holes to snag solo 3rd, but his 6 sixes dragged him down like an anchor tied to a rusty pushcart. 

As for the rest of you? Let’s just say… if you didn’t get named here, it’s because your performance was so forgettable, I already forgot it. Play better next week!