The Scribe's 2010 Report
(A Completely Impartial Accounting of the BGA's Weekly Events)
Any questions or comments please "Contact The Commish"
July 28, hot and humid, temp. 94
The trivia contest was "All About the Snowman" but The Commish stole the focus. In an interview with your Scribe after the round, The Commish said, "BC was pounding the ball (FYI: 268 yard avg. off the tee) but I caught him and on the eighth tee I led him and The Snowman for low net. I stood at only 4 over par after 7." Playing smart (often the "kiss of death" in the BGA) The Commish used a 3-wood on #8 in order to draw the ball around the trees on the left. Sadly, he found the trees on the right. BC hit a perfect drive (288 yards) and was less than 80 from the hole in the fairway. The Commish continued, "Rather than play safely back towards the teebox I knew I could hit a hot 4 iron under the branches, between two trees, and still have an outside chance for par. Well, I missed the two trees I was aiming at but it went through two other trees and looked good. Then it happened. The ball was past the last tree but somehow bounced straight up and backwards, hit a high branch, clunked off another trunk and bounced further right and into another tree. No shot so I played safe and hit a branch and skittered right into the notch of a huge oak. Took an unplayable, chipped out. skulled a wedge over the green and down a steep hill coming to rest next to, I swear, a 1/4" sapling that was staked in the middle of nowhere. Had to hit standing backwards with the club upside down; a few more pitches from hardpan, a downhill and twisty putt that peeked in the hole before going past and a simple 30-incher coming back for my 12. Game over."
Scores: BC 43 (net 36), BL 54 (net 39), CS 50 (net 39), RS 50 (net 42)
July 21, hot and humid, temp. 92
Returning from a week in the Caribbean, Mr. Fifteen (CS) recorded his first birdie of the season as he matched his low round of the year. In a manner more akin to the PGA than the BGA, his birdie did not win hole #3 as it only allowed him to push Mr. FourSkin (BC) who, moments before, recorded his BGA-leading 4th bird of the year. The Snowman (BL) shook off his recent "funk" and shot nine strokes less than his last 2 rounds. He did find "snow" on the first hole but then had nothing over a six. Pity the poor Commish (RS) as he, too, had no score over 6 and was poised for a good round if only he could putt. Seven times he was within seven feet of the hole and only one putt went in. In a tightly fought match, BC did have the low round but barely was able to avoid buying a beer for CS. In fact, CS was just a whisker away from three players tying for high net and winning the "trifecta" of three beers, a feat done only once in BGA history.
Scores: BC 44 (net 37), BL 52 (net 37), CS 45 (net 34), RS 46 (net 38)
July 15, hot and humid, course soft and soggy, temp: 91
Today we watched the biggest collapse since the 1964 Phillies. The Commish brought his "C" game; The Snowman continued to show signs of melting; and BC (Mr. Fifteen) was tearing it up. With 5 drives of over 250, 5 fairways and four pars it was going to be an easy win for "Tink" (another of BC's aliases). On #8 tee he was informed (by The ever helpful Commish) that a Cheeseburger was still a possibility. Having a four-stroke lead and playing the easiest par 4 on the course, Tink hammered his drive into the treeline, played a "safe" layup behind another tree, dumped a chip, chili-dipped another and then finally reached the green where, 2 putts later he was in for a hanger. The Cheeseburger was gone and after another 7 on the last hole so was his beer. Tink finished 7-7 to the Commish's 4-5 to lose his four-stoke "easy victory." In true BGA fashion, he grasped defeat from the jaws of victory. If you look at the scores closely you will see that "46" was wild.
Scores: BC 46 (net 39), BL 61 (net 46), RS 46 (net 38)
July 7, record heat, temp: 101
After yesterday's temperature hit a record 105, today seemed downright balmy at a mere 101. The Commish and Mr. Fifteen battled down to the last putt for the weekly award of a tall cold one at the fabulous Crackpot Restaurant. On #9, a tough 445 yard uphill par 4, CS had a 12 footer for par that came up 6" short and finished with a net 34 leaving RS with a 4-foot downhiller to tie. The Commish holed it and instead of a single beer being won, The Snowman had to buy a cold one for each of the Swansons. BC recorded the only 3 of the day and The Snowman had the only scores over 6 as he had two Hangers, a pair of snows, and a Pavoratti (link to BGA Terminology).
Scores: BC 44 (net 37), BL 61 (net 46), CS 45 (net 34), RS 42 (net 34)
June 30, sunny and pleasant, temp: 80
Your Scribe was on vacation so he had to rely on his on-course spies to deliver this sketchy report:Only 2 players posted for this round, The Snowman (BL) and Mr. Fifteen (CS). BL managed to hit 2 fairways and, as everyone in the BGA knows, bad things happen from the short grass. These fairways hits led to bunkers and then big numbers. Suffice to say that The Snowman has once again claimed a firm hold on his title as he recorded a season high of 3 eights. CS played a mediocre round himself but won the beer easily with his net of 1 over par 37.
Scores: BL 59 (net 44), CS 48 (net 37)
June 23, hot and humid, temp: 97
BC on vacation in Kauai, so Josh Gerber filled in. BL allowed family matters to pull him off the course after 3 holes. Couldn't have been too hot, could it? Anyway bad golf abounded, particularly from the Commish as he put in his worst round of the year and had to buy a brew for Mr. Fifteen at the 19th Hole. Oh yeah, Josh tried his best to emulate the kind of golf we play; however, after the round we played an additional hole, the 545 yard par 5 10th at Mt. Pleasant. A horrible "mishit" tee shot went about 300 yards in the fairway. Second shot about 250 severely uphill to the green, and then he calmly dropped a 9-foot putt for his EAGLE. Well done, Mr. Sandbagger!Scores: CS 47 (net 36), RS 53 (net 45), JG 47 (no hdcp)
June 16, hot and humid, temp: 84
This week's trivia contest was "All About Bill 'FourSkin' Cockey." While Mr. C evidently did not know his game as well as the rest of us, he did win the beer of the week at our usual watering hole, The Crackpot Restaurant. In order to celebrate in his usual over-the-top manner, Mr. C immediately left in his private jet for several weeks in Kauai. Aloha, brother duffer! Not very much to report in this round as there were only 2 nines, 1 eight and 5 sevens scored. Bad indeed, but we are capable of so much more. The other Bill, aka "The Snowman", did record the only frosty (an 8 on #9) as he once again assumed the lead in that coveted category.
Scores: BC 44 (net 37), BL 55 (net 40), CS 53 (net 42), RS 47 (net 39)
June 9, heavy storms early, good weather during round, temp: 67
Your Scribe is feeling like a weatherman this season as he has to report on heavy storms that should have washed out the round today except that the skies cleared in time for the BGA to have the course to ourselves for our round and them almost immediately after we got in our cars the rain started again. It was a closely contested round and brought about a first for the BGA. Our Snowman, BL, lost the beer and had to buy for BC; however, in spite of having the highest round, The Snowman's handicap was the only one that did not go up after the round. CS had a "snow" (8) and a "blow" (an El Nino or 9) to go along with his four pars in a tops and bottoms kind of round.
Scores: BC 43 (net 37), BL 55 (net 40), CS 49 (net 39), RS 45 (net 38)
June 2, good weather, hot & humid, temp: 91
Good weather wasn't enough to bring out good golf this week. The Commish did manage to shoot a second consecutive 41 to win another brewski, this time from the Snowman himself. After a run of 4 rounds of "net" par or better the Snowman finally returned to form with a pair of snows, 4 hangers and an El Nino. Once again he is leading the league in frosties (there is a three-way tie with 5 for BC, BL, and CS). RS did gain on BC in the birdie race with another deuce on #6.
Scores: BC 47 (net 41), BL 61 (net 46), CS 46 (net 35), RS 41 (net 34)
May 27, threat of t'storms and damaging hail, temp: 94
Weather held off until after the round and then it was spectacular, just like our golf! BC started off with a bird on #1 and by the time it was over the high net score was only 38 (CS), three players were under par, and The Commish was sipping free beer for the first time this season. Commish's handicap dropped to 7 and The Snowman lowered his stroke/hole ratio to less than 6 for the first time in living memory. Well done, my frosty fellow. BL and CS are in positive numbers in the Race for the Cheeseburger at the end of May.
Scores: BC 40 (net 34), BL 50 (net 35), CS 49 (net 38), RS 41 (net 33)
May 19, overcast skies, temp: 63
Relatively mediocre golf except by The Snowman. BL had a net 22 after 7 holes and had the chance to win the season's first Cheeseburger if he could get home in 9 strokes or less. When informed of this he played his next four shots from the wrong fairway on the wrong side of the forest and after scoring his hanger no longer had to worry about what to put on his bun. BC had a good round until finishing with a Snow, six, six. The Commish had a four putt but still posted the low round, just not low enough to win a beer. CS got in plenty of practice with 3 hangers and a Snow to finish with a 53, just enough to increase his handicap back to 11.
Scores: BC 47 (net 41), BL 49 (net 34), CS 54 (net 44), RS 46 (net 38)
May 12, heavy rain, no wind, miserable conditions, temp: 60
First time his year that the tees on #1 were across the road; however, everyone was pleased to cross the road on their tee shot. Congratulations. First hole produced a Hanger, a Snowman, an El Nino and a Streckfus by the Commish who was in front of the green in three and in the hole in 11! After that play proceeded very nicely, except for the constant downpour and the Commish bounced back by recording the season's first deuce on #6. CS won his third consecutive beer, this one from BC. Handicaps for BL and CS both dropped for next week.
Scores: BC 48 (net 42), BL 52 (net 36), CS 46 (net 35), RS 48 (net 40)
May 5, perfect weather, very slow greens, temp: 82
Only three players posted for this round as Frosty continued to allow family matters interfere with his BGA commitments. The Commish hacked his way to a glorious 10 on #1 and was unable to make a comeback as Mr. Fifteen and Mr. FourSkin tied for the win and each was awarded with a beer at The Crackpot. In a cruel twist of math, even though he won a beer, CS's handicap went up a stroke for future rounds.
Scores: BC 46 (net 40), CS 50 (net 40); RS 50 (net 42)
April 28, clear skies, windy, 20+ mph gusts, temp: 57
The Snowman became the first player to fail to post at a scheduled event this season. His lame excuse, however, did not prevent him putting in an appearance at the fabulous Crackpot later in the evening. A single snowman each was posted by the three players who did tee off. To everyone's surprise CS, who started with his snowman, found his inner golfer and went on to win the evening's beer from The Commish. For the record CS hit 5 fairways, 4 GIRs, and had 3 pars for a resounding 12 cheeseburger points. This round has vaulted him into the lead for the coveted hunk of meat.
Scores: BC 49 (net 43), CS 45 (net 35), RS 53 (net 46)
April 21, rainout, temp: 55
April 14, perfect weather, aerated greens, temp: 61
The Snowman came to play and walked off the links with his second beer in as many weeks. Not only did he win but he beat BC by 4 strokes scratch even though he gets 10 strokes! Way to go, BC. Oh yeah, nice round Mr. L. Riding in the lead cart RS and BL did not record a score over 6 on any hole, unfortunately they did record four of those sixes each. Of note: BC scored his first 2 Frosties of the year; CS recorded 10 cheeseburger points with 4 pars, 3 GIRs and 3 Fairways; RS made par on #7 in spite of incurring a penalty. With his great round, BL missed winning the season's first Cheeseburger by only 2 strokes.
Scores: BC 53 (net 47), BL 49 (net 33), CS 47 (net 37), RS 46 (net 39)
April 7, perfect weather, aerated greens, temp: 90
Interesting round of particularly bad golf. Played back nine for first time in several years. The Snowman (BL) started with 18 on the first 2 holes (one of which was a par 3) and his round was the best and he is now on the board with his first beer of 2010. While the records have not been researched yet, it was one of the few rounds that all players were above 40 net. BC and RS each had one hanger while CS and BL each had 2 sevens and one higher score; and, they finished first and second.
Scores: BC 48 (net 42), BL 56 (net 40), CS 51 (net 41), RS 50 (net 43)
Mar. 31 perfect weather, wet course, temp: 65
Bland round best characterized by The Commish ending with 7 straight 5's. Worst of all CS won 2 beers as BC and RS tied for highest net score. BL did record the season's first El Nino. The month ended with no one in contention for winning The Race for the Cheeseburger.
Scores: BC 49 (net 43), BL 57 (net 41), CS 46 (net 36), RS 50 (net 43)
Mar. 24, 2010 Opening Day at Mt. Pleasant, perfect weather, temp: 60
The season got off to a rousing start. Almost all of the "firsts of the year" scores were realized on the opening day.
First Double Digit: CS (11) and BL (10) Hole #1 First Pavorotti: BL #1 First Streckfus: CS #1
First El Nino: still to be determined First Snowman: CS #9 First Levering: BL #3
First Three Putt: RS and BL #1 First Birdie: BC #1 First Penalty: CS #1
First Par: BC #3 First 4-Putt: BL #3 First Bunker: BC #3
First Good Round: BC 42, net 36 even par; well done
First Horrendously Bad Round: CS 57, net 47; egads, mid-season form already
Scores: BC 42 (net 36), BL 55 (net 39), CS 57 (net 47), RS 49 (net 42)
Click here for an explanation of BGA Scoring Terms.