Poppy Ridge
13th Event of 2001 Season
Saturday, September 15, 2001
Charlie Flowers lost in a sea of deep fescue on Zinfandel #9.
Charlie eventually completed the hole with a double bogey six. His quad on
Zinfandel #8 also was part of a disappointing final two holes. It wasn't as
tragic as it sounds. Heading into #17 he was on course to shoot a 76(net
60!), however he still managed to crawl in with a net 66, good enough for
2nd place in the second flight.
In spite of the recent airlines flight restrictions, the UCGC pulled together a full field
for the Poppy Ridge tournament. This is due to the patience and flexibility of our members, willing to
work with several last minute tee time changes. Successfully completing a
fully-represented tournament was inspiriting after a week of such tragic chaos.
Some amazing scores were posted at the difficult Poppy Ridge course. Several first flight scores were blistering. John Carlson's 74(net 65) gave
him a two stroke advantage. With three birdies and one bogey, his 34 on the back
was phenomenal. In fact, were it not for the triple bogey on the second hole he would have
shot 71. Regardless, playing at 2-under over
the final thirteen holes was exceptional. John Robertson's 73(net 67) gave him 2nd place in the first flight.
John had a 35 on the back and took nothing
higher than a four over the final twelve holes. John's 73 was the day's lowest gross score. Ken Alton shot a 78(net 64) to capture the second flight. His
string of nine consecutive pars on holes 9 through 17 was incredible. Charlie Flowers, also in the second flight, turned in a prodigious 82(net
66) to take second. We had 2001 season first-time winners in
every flight except the third flight where Elliott Friedman's 87(net 66) beat out by five strokes a four-way tie at net
71. The victory gave Elliott a large cushion in the
GOY standings with only the club championship remaining. It also enhanced his remarkable feat of placing no
lower than 2nd in eight of the eleven standard tournament events in which he has participated. Pity those poor souls that have
played in his
flight this season!
(NOTE: Poppy Ridge consists of three nine-hole
courses. For this outing we played the Chardonnay course followed by the Zinfandel course. For the purposes of clarity
the descriptions refer only to holes in relation to there sequence
of play, so for instance, the "12th hole" will actually be
the 3rd hole of the Zinfandel course.)
Shot of the Day: Ken Alton got off to a hot start. After a bogey
on #1, Ken hit his drive on #2 into a fairway bunker about 90 yards
from the green and a good 40-feet below the hole. Ken then hit his bunker shot stiff, to within 18 inches
of the hole, narrowly carrying a greenside bunker in the process. It
was an amazing shot. Ken went on to birdie the hole and have an incredible tournament,
shooting a 78(net 64) and winning the second flight. Here Bob Tulk
chums up to Ken hoping some of the magic rubs off, however, none
did.
Ken warming up on the 4th hole.
Ken on the 9th hole. Ken would par this hole. It was the
beginning of a run of nine consecutive pars.
Ken comes from a baseball background. Here he is looking for a
fast ball.
Here Ken is thinking curve ball. The guys in Ken's usual group(Bob
Tulk, Jim Peretti, and Randy
Hooper) all played baseball before playing golf and so they have odd
first inclinations when it comes to hitting golf ball.
Randy Hooper often complains to the umpire about pitches.
Unfortunately, there are no umpires in this game. Nor is the ball pitched.
It rests motionless on the ground. Were there an umpire in the game of
golf Randy's irreverent protests would likely draw an ejection.
On #8 Randy hits a fair ball into right field. It was somewhat
like a sacrifice fly, except no one was on base.
On #11 Randy attempts to launch one into McCovey cove.
On #17 Randy crushes a home run. Look out, Barry Bonds.
Bob Tulk also fights the baseball swing. Here on #4 Bob tries hitting
a liner to first from the sandy infield. (By the way, this
is probably one of the best pictures from this season. Right up there
with the picture
of Ross Sakamoto on the 7th hole at Wente Vineyards.)
On #8 Bob performs a near-perfect bunt.
On #4 Aaron Walburg demonstrates a perfect take-back. The
follow-through left much to be desired. Bob and Ken create a comical
backdrop to this otherwise revering scene.
High atop the third hole Mark Steppan attempts to win the CTP. Rick Guevara won in the first flight
CTP with a shot to 5'-3".
Mark will soon be competing against Jeff Hazel in the final of the
Eddie Reed match play championship.
Jeff Hazel hitting his approach at #12.
Jeff hitting his approach at #18. Jeff's 79(net 72) would give
him a fourth place finish. The scores in the first flight were
unusually low. A net 69 was required simply to place third.
Russell Greenwood putting on #16. Jeff Day and Jennifer Proulx
prepare to putt, but thread a thin line if observing Russell's
putt from the other side of the hole. Remember, you can't observe a person's putt from
either end of the line of the putt. Have you ever seen Tiger Woods lurking behind David
Duval as he putts? The pros always stand to the side. It's basic etiquette
and absolutely impermissible during tournament play. Once the ball is struck
you can head towards the line for a better angle(as pros sometimes do).
Now I'll get off the soap box. See also, Getting
a read from other players. Is it permitted?
Who is this? A golfing angel? All we know is that Rollie Otto
somehow wound up playing in a group with her. Rollie was sort of
pushed out of his tee time and had to wait 90 minutes to get in
behind the tournament. His patience, it can only be stated, must
certainly have been rewarded, as he was granted the opportunity all
blessed afternoon of observing
the lovely swing this divine playing partner.
Not to get Rollie into any trouble, but it must be noted that
his play was not up to its usual level. Unlike many others out
there, at least Rollie had an understandable distraction.
Mike Armstrong, for instance, played poorly, but had no real
excuse. He was playing with a bunch of sweaty guys. Here he hits his
approach at #12.
Bob McCaslin, playing with a bunch of sweaty old guys,
likewise had no excuse for his poor performance.
John Carlson didn't need any excuses. John had the day's the
most impressive round shooting a 74(net 65) with a 2-under back
nine. Here John hits his approach to #18.
Kelly Alvarez taps in on #18.
Here Bob Traum attempts a long putt at #18.
Doris White on #18. Just look at that spunk! You go girl!
Don Davis watching his putt intently on #18.
Ed Biglin executing a delicate chip shot from the fringe at
#18.
Nothing like a cold beer to end a round of golf. Here Mark
Steppan illustrates his idea for increasing the regulation size of a
golf hole. Ralph Hill and Mike Birnbach are in complete agreement.
Mike Birnmbach's 83(net 69) gave him a 3rd place finish in the
second flight.
Which table had the best scores? Seated here are Ron Irving,
Charlie Flowers, Eddie Reed, and John Robertson. Charlie probably
had the day's most exciting round. Standing on the 17th tee he was
looking at a 76(net 60!), however a fairly significant
collapse on the final two holes left him with a still impressive
82(net 66) and a 2nd place finish in the second flight. John
"J.R." Robertson finished with the low round of the day
73(net 67). He should also win some sort of award for nonchalance. Pulling into the clubhouse as cool as
a cucumber he said he'd played "alright". We won't
mention Ron's or Eddie's scores. Nor will we comment on their having
somehow been permitted to be seated in the company of such golfing talent.
Speaking of golfing talent, at right is John Carlson, who's
74(net 65) dominated the first flight. Seated alongside him are some of
John's guests. Hazarding a guess, from left to right are: Doug
Carlson, Dave Cecil, Pat O'Brien, someone's wife or girlfriend, and
John Carlson.
Long after the tournament ended there was still plenty of beer
flowing. Most of the stragglers were, in their own roundabout way,
trying to come to terms with the bad golf they had demonstrated this
afternoon. They were already looking forward to the coming season,
which would create a whole new chapter of bad golf and good beer.
Could there be something more to this sport? Perhaps it's less about
playing well, and more about playing poorly and thereby enhancing the
savor of that mystical 19th-hole elixir.
Complete Results:
|
1st Flight |
Hcp |
Out |
In |
Grs |
Net |
Tie |
CTP |
| 1 |
J. Carlson |
9 |
40 |
34 |
74 |
65 |
29.5 |
|
| 2 |
J. Robertson |
6 |
38 |
35 |
73 |
67 |
32.0 |
|
| 3 |
R. McDonough |
9 |
42 |
36 |
78 |
69 |
31.5 |
|
| 4 |
J. Hazel |
7 |
40 |
39 |
79 |
72 |
35.5 |
|
| 5 |
D. Lozow |
9 |
40 |
41 |
81 |
72 |
36.5 |
|
| 6 |
R. Guevara |
13 |
42 |
43 |
85 |
72 |
36.5 |
5'-3" |
| 7 |
J. Proulx |
11 |
41 |
43 |
84 |
73 |
37.5 |
|
| 8 |
M. Steppan |
2 |
40 |
36 |
76 |
74 |
35.0 |
|
| 9 |
M. Armstrong |
7 |
40 |
41 |
81 |
74 |
37.5 |
|
| 10 |
R. Hooper |
12 |
44 |
44 |
88 |
76 |
38.0 |
|
| 11 |
C. Maters |
11 |
43 |
44 |
87 |
76 |
38.5 |
|
| 12 |
E. Biglin |
9 |
39 |
47 |
86 |
77 |
42.5 |
|
|
2nd Flight |
Hcp |
Out |
In |
Grs |
Net |
Tie |
CTP |
| 1 |
K. Alton |
14 |
40 |
38 |
78 |
64 |
31.0 |
|
| 2 |
C. Flowers |
16 |
39 |
43 |
82 |
66 |
35.0 |
|
| 3 |
M. Birnbach |
14 |
40 |
43 |
83 |
69 |
36.0 |
|
| 4 |
M. Holman |
15 |
43 |
43 |
86 |
71 |
35.5 |
|
| 5 |
A. Walburg |
15 |
43 |
45 |
88 |
73 |
37.5 |
|
| 6 |
E. Johnson |
14 |
47 |
41 |
88 |
74 |
34.0 |
16'-0" |
| 7 |
J. Day |
17 |
45 |
46 |
91 |
74 |
37.5 |
|
| 8 |
B. Tulk |
15 |
47 |
43 |
90 |
75 |
35.5 |
|
| 9 |
R. Hill |
13 |
43 |
46 |
89 |
76 |
39.5 |
|
| 10 |
R. Ballew |
14 |
45 |
48 |
93 |
79 |
41.0 |
|
| 11 |
E. Reed |
15 |
48 |
48 |
96 |
81 |
40.5 |
|
| 12 |
R. Otto |
WD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3rd Flight |
Hcp |
Out |
In |
Grs |
Net |
Tie |
CTP |
| 1 |
E. Friedman |
21 |
42 |
45 |
87 |
66 |
34.5 |
|
| 2 |
M. Kitchener |
17 |
48 |
40 |
88 |
71 |
31.5 |
|
| 3 |
A. Kang |
18 |
47 |
42 |
89 |
71 |
33.0 |
|
| 4 |
S. Meredith |
18 |
45 |
44 |
89 |
71 |
35.0 |
|
| 5 |
R. Greenwood |
19 |
44 |
46 |
90 |
71 |
36.5 |
|
| 6 |
G. Lauro |
20 |
43 |
49 |
92 |
72 |
39.0 |
|
| 7 |
R. Lai |
18 |
47 |
45 |
92 |
74 |
36.0 |
|
| 8 |
J. Powell |
19 |
45 |
49 |
94 |
75 |
39.5 |
|
| 9 |
R. Irving |
21 |
44 |
55 |
99 |
78 |
44.5 |
|
| 10 |
D. Wade |
20 |
51 |
48 |
99 |
79 |
38.0 |
14'-6" |
| 11 |
B. McCaslin |
19 |
50 |
48 |
98 |
79 |
38.5 |
|
| 12 |
T. Goode |
21 |
50 |
50 |
100 |
79 |
39.5 |
|
|
4th Flight |
Hcp |
Out |
In |
Grs |
Net |
Tie |
CTP |
| 1 |
G. Goode |
43 |
58 |
53 |
111 |
68 |
31.5 |
|
| 2 |
B. Traum |
27 |
49 |
46 |
95 |
68 |
32.5 |
20'-2" |
| 3 |
D. Steele |
34 |
56 |
48 |
104 |
70 |
31.0 |
|
| 4 |
T. Furtado |
26 |
50 |
50 |
100 |
74 |
37.0 |
|
| 5 |
M. Chernock |
30 |
54 |
51 |
105 |
75 |
36.0 |
|
| 6 |
G. Vollen |
26 |
56 |
47 |
103 |
77 |
34.0 |
|
| 7 |
B. Sternbach |
26 |
51 |
52 |
103 |
77 |
39.0 |
|
| 8 |
J. King |
28 |
52 |
53 |
105 |
77 |
39.0 |
|
| 9 |
K. Alvarez |
23 |
52 |
52 |
104 |
81 |
40.5 |
|
| 10 |
C. Baker |
37 |
59 |
64 |
123 |
86 |
45.5 |
|
| 11 |
D. White |
35 |
71 |
62 |
133 |
98 |
44.5 |
|
|
BB Flight |
Hcp |
Out |
In |
Grs |
Net |
|
|
| 1 |
M. Kimmich |
20 |
45 |
46 |
91 |
71 |
|
|
| 2 |
P. O’Brien |
2 |
44 |
35 |
79 |
77 |
|
|
| 3 |
D. Davis |
12 |
42 |
50 |
92 |
80 |
|
|
| 4 |
D. Cecil |
8 |
47 |
44 |
91 |
83 |
|
|
| 5 |
D. Carlson |
26 |
53 |
58 |
111 |
85 |
|
|
| 6 |
D. Boe |
20 |
53 |
53 |
106 |
86 |
|
|
| 7 |
C. Nightingale |
12 |
50 |
49 |
99 |
87 |
|
|
| 8 |
M. Dallow |
10 |
48 |
50 |
98 |
88 |
|
|
| 9 |
C. Cordes |
10 |
46 |
56 |
102 |
92 |
|
|
| 10 |
J. Cordes |
30 |
68 |
60 |
128 |
98 |
|
|
(Results tabulated by club webmaster Aaron Walburg)
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