|
Strange Places
Before getting into the tournament, let's take a quick survey of the
strange predicaments in which our members found themselves.
This photo provides a good idea of what an average person experienced
at Poppy Hills. Trees are the most daunting feature at this course. During
the tournament, players got very creative, so prepare to see many pictures
of people hitting from unusual places.
From the outset, this course is very difficult. The fairway is so narrow
Jeff Hazel barely had enough elbow room to make his opening drive.
On the 4th hole Tom Furtado was playing a game of hide-and-seek
from his group. They eventually found him.
It looked like fun, so Jeff Day played hide-and-seek on the 9th hole.
Andrew Kang gets the award for "Most Creative". This was one of
many bizarre shots Andrew pulled off. On the 9th hole Andrew carried the
greenside bunker by inches. It was most impressive.
Kelly Alvarez was in the unusual position of clubhouse leader after
round 1. This was a strange place for him.
Following round one, Jeff Day was sipping Manhattan's at Pebble Beach Golf
Course, while experiencing the world through Aaron's glasses. He's still
recovering. He'll probably never recover from this photo, however.
Round 2 delivered more of the same. Here on #7 Jeff Hazel tries to figure
out what to do with a bothersome shrub.
Tom Furtado knew exactly what to do with this tree on the 5th hole - Split
the uprights - Which he did.
Ryan Tabibian tried the same shot on #10, but his first attempt hit the
left upright and deflected back at him, coming to rest beneath
his cart. Ryan persevered, and eventually found his way through the trees.
What is Andrew Kang doing in that thicket? Once again he's straddling a
trunk and extracting the ball from an impossible situation. Andrew was
like a brain surgeon out there. Unfortunately his best shots all seemed to
occur only after he'd found himself in horrible locations. This shot on
#10 was amazing.
At #18, Aaron Walburg's ball came to rest on a gofer mound.
It was carefully plucked out, however only the gofer was impressed.
Round 1: Poppy Hills
11am, Saturday July 26, 2003
Pebble Beach, CA
Jeff Bordalampe warms up. Jeff turned several heads what with his black stockings. Jeff played solid golf. His 85 was the 5th lowest gross score, and after day one he was tied for 3rd place in the first flight.
Sam Scalise hit the range pretty hard. He’s been a busy this season, making only three tournaments. He had perhaps the roughest weekend. After nine holes he was in 11th place, but then he faded back into 14th place for the rest of the tournament. Look for Sam to snap back soon.
Martin Kitchener and Scott Meredith on the range. Martin and Jeff Day had a bet going: whoever turned in an 8, or 4-putt, would have to buy beer. Neither player survived the bet. Martin made a great recovery on day two however, and placed 3rd. Scott played steady, shooting net 71 both days, earning a 4th place finish.
Chad Carey on the first tee. Chad was playing Paul Zingg in their Eddie Reed semifinal match. After taking down #3 seed Mark Steppan and #6 seed Jim Peretti, Chad finally met his match in Paul, who fired the day’s low 79.
Steve Desimone and Mark Northfield watch Paul tee off. It’s best to catch Paul on an off day. Unfortunately he doesn’t have many off days. Mark Northfield had the day’s lowest net score (65). Ironically he passed on the option to play in the skins contest. Needless to say he was anxious to participate on day 2. Mark didn’t win any skins, but he held on to win the first flight.
Chad makes this par putt on the 6th hole.
Steve missed his par putt, but still matched Paul for the day’s best round.
Rick Guevara seemed to improve each day. His back nine scores improved an average of 6 strokes each day, over his front nine scores. Had he played the fronts as well as the backs, he would have placed 2nd. Rick had the day’s lowest net score (32) on the back nine at Black Horse.
Mike Armstrong was steady. His weekend gross score was the 5th best.
Alison McGill (former member) made an appearance and showed all the guys what a smooth swing looks like. Here’s her approach on #1.
Mike Birnbach played very well on the front nine (net 35), and was actually leading the tournament along with Paul Zingg. Mike made par here on the tricky 6th hole.
Dave Rose has a very methodical pre-shot routine which Russ Greenwood very much admires. Here Dave prepares for his approach on #5. No one is really sure what happened to Dave Rose on Saturday night, but after turning in a net 84 at Poppy Hills, Dave turned in a net 63 at Black Horse, the weekend’s best net score. Between the two rounds, Dave lowered his score by 22 strokes! Think about that! 22 strokes! Imagine firing a dozen balls into the ocean on the first tee, then starting your round. His feat was one ball shy of this. People will be talking about Dave’s legendary turn-around for countless years to come.
Russ Greenwood also has a pre-shot routine. However it’s so quick nobody knows what it is. Russ is always prepared for sunbathing. That’s why he plays golf with a beach towel dangling from his back pocket.
Jeff Bordalampe lined up his putt on #5.
Jeff hit a monster drive on #10. But here he (wisely perhaps) pushed his second shot to the right of the green (and accompanying lake)
Dave Chia chips at #11, and goes on to bogey the hole. Dave’s birdie on the 18th hole earned him a net scat.
At the adice of this web site, Dave purchased the same camera purchased by
the club, the Canon PowerShot s30. He
loves it.
Ernie Hudson uses the long putter on #11.
Tom Furtado earned a par on #3.
Tom had a huge adventure on the dramatic 10th hole. In golf, “Adventures” are best avoided if at all possible. Many people had adventures on #10. None of the 27 members made par on the hole, while five players went into double figures.
Of particular fascination was Tom's par putt on #9. It
appeared to die on the lip. Tom was going to tap it in, but Jeff Day got
up close and saw it slowly moving and said to give it a few seconds. It fell in at about 9
seconds.
Andrew Kang decimated his drive on #9. Here he was hitting an iron in on his second shot.
Jeff Day bogeyd #2. He and Aaron had played a practice round at Poppy Hills two days prior to the tournament. Their scores improved, but not by as much as was hoped.
Jeff made par on the 18th hole. #18 was probably the most scenic hole on this day. #10 is generally the most scenic, however the lake was not full, and a plastic tarp was visible, which made the lake appear unnatural.
Paul Zingg scrutinizes the Skins game sheet. No one had earned a single gross skin, and the kitty would roll-over to day 2.
Alison McGill and Steve swap a few stories over beer. Alison is still an active golfer. In fact she’s a member of four NCGA clubs: Del Monte Pines, Seaside Women's Golf Club, Corral de Tierra Country Club, and Leguna Seca Women's Golf Club.
Dave Rose enjoyed a cold refreshment after his long day. Tomorrow he would post a net 63 and enjoy another beer, but in a much more celebratory fashion.
Drinks at Pebble Beach Golf Course
6pm, Saturday July 26, 2003
Pebble Beach, CA
Jeff Day, Tom Furtado, and Aaron Walburg decided to visit to Pebble Beach for
drinks after round one. It had been a long day filled with bad shots.
Perhaps the ghosts of legendary golfers would inspire them to play better
in round 2. Where else would such ghosts be found, but on the #1 course in
the world?
A replica of the 2000 US Open Trophy on display in the pro shop. Every
host course receives a replica during years it hosts the US Open tournament.
All the posers come out to the 18th green. It's a shameful display.
Tom and Jeff secure a table on the balcony, behind a musical trio.
What's better than a great view of the 18th hole at Pebble Beach? By
the way green fees at the four Pebble Beach owned courses are currently:
Pebble Beach $380, Spyglass Hill $265, Spanish Bay $215, and Del Monte $95.
Except perhaps the same view, and a cold beer.
...or a Manhattan.
For dinner the trio hit on a great restaurant at the
recommendation of the hotel clerk:
Dishes Bistro
330-H Reservation Road
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 883-1207
Dishes Bistro is a Mediterranean restaurant owned and
operated by Andre & Gudrun Vadas. Prices are very reasonable, in the
$9-$17 range. They serve lunch and dinner and are open every day from 11am
until 10pm. Most importantly their food is excellent. The Monterey Dabs
(flounder) are highly recommended, as is the swordfish.
On their way to dinner, the boys grabbed a flyer posted in
front a of a home for sale across the street from the 15th green at Pebble
Beach. The address was 3349 Seventeen Mile Drive. The 11,500 square foot,
6 bedroom, 5 bath, 4 car garage, 3-level elevator home on 1.7 acres was
priced at $13.7 million. If that's not bad enough, just think of the
monthly electricity and heating bills!
Round 2: Black Horse
9am, Sunday, July 27, 2003
Seaside, CA
Members were warmly greeted the next morning at Black Horse.
Thankfully we received top billing over "Fairways Couples".
The course was surprisingly empty. We had it all to ourselves. Later
that day people would be streaming in for a late afternoon tee. Here Mike
O'Neill tries to get accustomed to the slick greens.
After round 1, Jim Baer was tied with Kelly Alvarez in the second flight.
Kelly would continue on his tear, while Jim would be baffled by his own
game. Why must this sport be so elusive?
Mike Armstrong never even found his game. Perhaps he was saving it up for
the 2003
Associate Club Championships. Mike, you see, had qualified for that
event with another golf club, the University of San Francisco club. He
would remain in Pebble Beach to play Spyglass Hill on Monday and Tuesday.
Martin Kitchener would do the same, having successfully qualified with
another team, our old rival, the LBL club. Neither Mike's nor Martin's
team would win. Mike's team place in a tie for 10th, while Martin's team
tied for 14th.
Bob Sternbach chips around before taking to the links. Bob has been
playing well, and advanced to the semifinals of the Eddie Reed
tournament.
Kelly Alvarez and Russ Greenwood. Kelly had slept on the lead, tied
with Jim Baer in the second flight after round 1. Russ was tied for third
at this point. He would play solid golf and maintain that position,
finishing in third place.
Who is this stranger?
It's actually Ernie Hudson. Ernie joins us occasionally. He was an
active member from around 1982 to 1992. He won the 1991 2-Ball
Championship at Tilden Park with partner Saul Geiser. Their net 60 won a
three-way tiebreaker.
Steve Desimone was the first to tee off on this chilly and foggy morning. The opening hole was daunting, for it disappeared around the corner. Steve pulled his drive left, along with three members of the first group. Observing this, Walburg resolved to hit a 4-iron when his turn came.
Mark Northfield played another steady round of golf, however he needed a net 33 on the back nine in order to pull away from Paul Zingg, who had pulled even at the turn.
Jeff Hazel and Paul Zingg will meet in the finals of the Eddie Reed tournament. Both men have exactly the same August Index (5.3), so it promises to be an exciting final.
Jeff Hazel had a shaky start, opening with an 8 on the first hole. He then made par on the next four holes.
Paul Zing won $29 on the opening hole. He was the only member to birdie the first hole. Dave Rose also earned a net eagle on the hole, and thus prevented Paul from winning a “double” (gross and net scat on same hole).
Ralph Hill, Jim Baer, Mike Armstrong, and Mike Birnbach had all performed well in round one, but all of them fell back in round two.
Ralph’s birdie on the 4th hole earned him $29. Ralph was in 5th place at the turn before giving up ground on the back.
Jim followed suit and gave up ground on his 1st place standing, suffering an 8 on the opening hole.
Mike Armstrong was tied for 4th at the start of the day, but also gave up ground.
Rounding out the foursome Mike Birnbach was also tied for 4th at the start of the day, soon fell back.
Jeff Day on #3. Jeff was one of the few players with experience on this course, but it failed to serve him well.
Jeff’s drive on the scenic 4th hole. Jeff's beloved "whoopin' socks
failed him on Day 2. Jeff also had had a rough night. The boys (Jeff,
Aaron and Tom), had spent the night in a Comfort Inn in Marina, at 140
Reservation Road, (831)883-4000. Two single beds for $142 was the least
expensive accommodations available and loads of research went into this.
Aaron opted for sleeping bag on floor for $34, while the others got beds
for $54 (Hey, we were traveling budget class). Sunday morning Jeff
summarized the experience, "You guys (Tom and Aaron) were both sawing logs
before I could figure out what channel I was watching".
Jeff’s favorite hole is the 8th. Last time he played it he made par. After a bogey he was re-thinking his ideas about this hole.
Andrew Kang wasn’t about to hold back on the short 7th hole. He nearly drove the green. He turned in a 40 on the front nine.
Andrew hits up the steep incline at #15, which has a large water tank behind the green.
Aaron was back to his old driver for round two. At Poppy Hills he had borrowed two demo clubs for use during his round. Now he was back to his old form, hitting snap hooks off the tee, like he did here at #5.
Scott Meredith watches a partner hit up onto the 5th green.
Mike O’Neill missed his first putt on #6. Mike was in 5th place at this point, but then had a few tough holes to finish out the front.
Mike O’Neill missed his first putt on #6. Mike was in 5th place at this point, but then had a few tough holes to finish out the front.
This series of pictures reveals the kind of day Dave Rose was having. Dave was playing the 6th hole. First, the pre shot routine.
Next the shot, Dave nailed the green, and went onto par the hole.
Finishing off the sequence Dave recieved a congratulatory fist-bump from playing partner Ryan Tabibian.
As noted earlier, Martin Kitchener was having an extraordinary round. Here on #9, he had to punch a shot beneath the limbs of a tree. From across the fairway Walburg inquired about his round via gestures (thumbs-up or thumbs down). Martin wisely opted for the so-so gesture (flattened hand, shaken slightly). Walburg correctly interpreted the response as meaning that Martin was doing quite well, but preferred not to jinx it by flashing a thumbs-up.
Martin checks on the outcome of his shot. Martin suffered a bogey on the hole, but still turned in a 40 on the front nine.
Martin followed up the 40 with a 41 on the back. Here he taps in for par on #18.
Sam Scalise had to return to the tee at 18, having lost his first ball. The second shot is always much easier.
Scott Meredith paced in with his second consecutive net 71, good for fourth place.
Aaron crawled in with a double bogey on #18, but still won the tiebreaker for second place in the second flight.
Saturday’s 18th-hole magic had ended for Dave Chia, who was unable to birdie
#18 on Sunday.
Jeff Bordalampe, however, did make a birdie on #18. In fact it was the
day's only birdie there and earned $29 as a result. Here Jeff sinks his
valuable putt.
Kelly Ernie and Ralph enjoy a cold beverage beneath the stars and stripes.
Jeff Hazel deserves massive credit for tabulating the scats following round 2. Jeff didn’t make a single mistake in the numbers, and even arrived at the correct prize sums to be paid out. Aaron handed out $500 in about three minutes. It was a chaotic feeding frenzy, like feeding chickens, but thanks to Jeff’s efforts all funds were properly issued.
Steve also deserves credit for keeping score. It’s not as easy as it appears, just ask anyone who’s ever tried it.
Ryan Tabibian’s son will one day pay for college with the money he wins from dad on the golf course.
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)