Adobe Creek
6th Event of 2005 Season
Saturday, March 5, 2005

New member Craig Adelman watches Peter Werner at the first hole. Craig won the first flight, also winning his first ever U.C. Golf tournament. Peter Werner played well despite hitting his opening drive OB. Here he was hitting his third shot. Remove those 2 penalty strokes from Peter's score and he would have placed first. Still, it was an exceptional recovery.

The weather was warm and sunny for our Adobe Creek tournament. So warm (73 degrees) that those foolishly donning long pants were a bit over-dressed. This was a far cry from the near freezing temperatures which greeted us at our last Adobe Creek visit three years ago. During that brutal February day members could barely manage to bend their numb fingers around their clubs. It was so foggy that you could only see 100 yards down the fairway. Being called to the first tee was like being called before a firing squad. It was be painful, you were blindfolded with fog, and there were be lots of shots involved. The real drawback was that unlike a firing squad that round didn't end quickly. Only one person, Mike O'Neill (who has ice running through his veins anyway), managed to break net 72. Fast forward 37 months and it was a different story altogether. Morning temperatures were at least 25 degrees warmer and we had a different kind of struggle.

Soggy Conditions, Chili Dips, & High Scores

The most difficult obstacle members faced at Adobe Creek (aside from the vision of Ted Goode in shorts) was the wet condition of the course. Rains had saturated the Bay Area during the previous 2 days and Adobe Creek isn't the best draining course. After all the word "Adobe" is in the title and clay soils aren't known for their draining properties. Great stuff for growing crops though. And that's just what several members unintentionally did with their perfectly struck drives. They planted them likes seeds all over the course, never to be seen again. Next time we come to the course there might be a few golf ball trees springing up in the middle of the fairways, but only a few members Jim Peretti and Lloyd Crenna, will be expecting such growth to occur. Lloyd, for instance, would have placed at least third in his flight had it not been for a lost ball at #2. Conditions were so wet that we began hitting provisional balls if a drive went anywhere in the rough. The rough was a double hazard, for not only was the 'plugged ball' a possibility, but the rough itself was also very thick (4"-5") because the rains had prevented the maintenance crew from mowing. For the record, a plugged ball which cannot be located, regardless of whether or not everyone witnessed the ball landing in the center of a fairway, must always be played as a lost ball with similar penalties (stroke and distance). If a perfect looking drive turns up lost, a player has to take the penalty, return to the tee and put another ball in play. Wet conditions invariably produce a phenomenon known as the 'Chili Dip.' We've all done it. It's what happens when you get too much chili (mud) on your tortilla chip (club face) prior to contacting the tongue (ball). In both instances the result is embarrassing. Needless to say the conditions made for some high scores. In fact net 72 won all three flights.

New Members Asserting Themselves; Veterans Lackluster

Over the past few months we've had a tremendous influx of new members (perhaps a dozen). Most of these players are sufficiently 'golf challenged' to blend in with our veteran hackers. A few new members actually have some game, which instantly catapults them into the vanguard. Not to name names, but Bryan Lee, David Nilson, and Christopher Ybarra all have terrific swings and are instantly (not difficult in this crowd) becoming low scorers in the club. None of these members played at Adobe Creek, however another new member Craig Adelman, did play. In only his second event Craig won the first flight. And he did it in style too by shooting the day's lowest gross score (80, Rory McDonough also shot an 80). Marty Lorber, our newest member, was playing in his very first UCGC event and he won the third flight's CTP with the day's closest shot at that hole, 8'-4." Perhaps our veteran's have become pathetically apathetic. A steady diet of triple bogies and beer has drained our veteran's of the youthful sparks which used to grace their now dull stares. In their youth, a long putt was an opportunity for greatness, now it's just another four putt, followed by a coughing fit and a hasty retreat to the golf cart. These are bleak times for our veterans. And if only to make matters worse, Martin Kitchener and Gary Vollen, two of our more prominent hackers, won the remaining flights.

Where's the Fire?

This tirade isn't yet finished! Another indication of the pathetic slide of our members into mediocrity is that we again all failed to break 80. At Wente Vineyards two months ago we had a large field in which nobody broke 80. Last month at Coyote Creek only one member, Van Hall, broke 80 (by one stroke). This month we again had not a single member break 80. What happened to the eye of the tiger??? Our membership needs to start sacrificing goats or something...

Ken Alton Graces Us with His Presence (Goat Wanted)

Speaking of Hackers... Look who appeared from the Northern Woodlands. Ken Alton is like the pope. He seldom appears, but when he does he's always popular. Ken hasn't played in an event since last April's Windsor Tournament and all of the sudden he's instantly in the lead foursome. (Something's wrong when you have a Club President who's never played in the lead foursome and some Joe Blow, pope guy that jumps in there from outta nowhere!) Despite his popularity, unlike the Holy See, Ken isn't very "hole-y." Through the opening 14 holes Ken only had one par (then he went on a tear...). Ken played well and I suppose he must be doing good deeds and saying his nightly prayers (or sacrificing goats! --after all he lives up in those Northern Woodlands...) because he won the blind bogey flight. Heck, he won it last time he played at Windsor too. Someone needs to investigate this goat thing. Where can I buy one, or a flock of 'em? Perhaps we can bring this up at the next board meeting. I nominate George Dea to manage the herd for us. He never plays anyway. And heck, he's gotta be good at something. 

Martha Stewart Released from Jail

Just when Martha Stewart gets released from jail, Martin Kitchener and Gary Vollen win golf tournaments. Coincidence? Or is this a conspiracy?

Jeff Hazel Tears it up; Well sort of...

Jeff Hazel had four birdies at Adobe Creek. He also had three triple bogeys. Jeff has been making sacrifices, but these are the results you can expect when sacrificing Chicken McNuggets. Come on Jeff, get a goat from George. Other birdie action included:

Board Meeting on Wednesday Following Coyote Creek

At a meeting on March 9, the board discussed several topics including going paperless. In a few months the NCGA will be paperless. For us, it would be a matter of sending all correspondences out via email and via the website, with no more correspondences sent via US Postal. Entry forms and checks would still be sent to Steve via the regular mail however. The board is seriously considering this change effective October 1, 2005. Please submit input to Steve if you have any suggestions or thoughts on this matter. The board also discussed whether or not a person should receive GOY participation points if he/she took an "x" on a hole. The board implemented a policy whereby members must post scores on 15 holes to earn the participation points. This makes it possible for speed of play to be improved, if someone who is already out of the tournament wishes to pick up on a hole or two. Also eligible for earning participation points are those who, for whatever reason, were disqualified for a breech of USGA rules. Of course they also still would have to have scores for 15 holes. Bear in mind anytime you fail to provide a score for every hole, you are disqualified, however it's now possible to earn GOY participation points despite the DQ. Players who had a point reinstated as a result of this decision we're Jim Bear, Dale Steele, Mitch Chernock, Mark Northfield, Elliott Zeller, and Stacey Mackey.

The Boomer becomes a Pop Gun

During the Board meeting Steve Desimone, commenting on Jim Peretti's performance at Adobe Creek declared the "The Boomer" was once again the "Pop Gun."

Jim "Pop Gun" Peretti on the range. This form of harassment is common for defending Golfers of the Year. Jim stands alone at 4th place in GOY standings for 2005.

It's been a year since Ken Alton has made an appearance. He plays less often, but he plays well. Today he won the Blind Bogey flight. Just like last year.

Ken Alton observes Jim Peretti as Jim attempts an unsuccessful par putt.

Current GOY co-leader Ken Lloyd opened impressively with a birdie on the opening par 5.

Dave Moers hasn’t missed an event all season. He’s one of only two players who have a chance this season to win an Iron Bear award. The other is our Club President, who hasn’t missed an event since May of 2000 (66 consecutive events, and running).

A reflection in the lake of a maintenance staffer dumping lawn trimmings in the lake.

GOY co-leader Mike O’Neill opened here with a bogey. He played better on the back nine.

New member Marty Lorber takes his first swing as a member of the club. It was a good swing. Marty won the CTP for the 3rd flight with the day’s closest shot in any flight, 8’-4.” Marty is well on his way to fame and fortune, or maybe just mediocrity and a few bucks every so often for random (read “lucky”) occurrences.

Kevin Kendall at the 15th hole with a nice little bogey.

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Some people avoid the camera, others flock to it. Here’s a case of the latter as Jeff Hazel, Rory McDonough and Gary Vollen ham it up by the decoy coyote.

Gary Vollen tied with three others for the day’s best net score, a paltry net 72. But on a day with soggy conditions, net 72 was good. Here he opened with a bogey. Gary won the third flight in a tiebreaker over Todd Podoll.

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Rory McDonough opened with a par. Rory’s tied Craig Adelman for best gross score on the day (80). Rory’s net 73 was good enough for third place in the first flight. Rory also won the CTP with his shot to 11’-4” at #12.

Here at #14 Rory and Jeff congratulate each other on their birdies. Golf is an easy game, right guys?

...not quite. Mark Northfield, playing with Rory and Jeff signals his impressive score at #14. Either that or there’s someone holding a gun at his back. In fact there was no gun.

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Mark Northfield back at the first tee. This was before the stick up on #14 which resulted in so many lost strokes.

Mark Northfield and Jeff Hazel are some of the club’s staunch walkers. For this they deserve praise. (Note last month’s summary of Coyote Creek which included comments on the negative influence of carts on course design). At the 15th hole Mark outplayed Jeff. With a par to Jeff’s bogey. See Jeff, golf really isn’t all that easy now is it?

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Rick Guevara at the first hole. Rick turned in an impressive 85 (net 74) to place third in the second flight. Rick lost a tiebreaker for second place to Peter Werner. Despite the bogey here on the opening hole, Rick had one of the day’s best front nine scores, 40. Only Rory McDonough in the first flight scored lower with a 39.

Rick’s approach at #14. The back nine was Rick’s weakness. His 45 was mediocre, which explains why he lost the tiebreaker.

Rick missed this par putt at #14.

Chad Carey opened his round with par. Chad plays power golf. If we had long drive contests he’d doubtless win a few.

Chad from the sand at #14.

Todd Podoll with a par at #14. Todd played the last seven holes at 2-over par. Todd is posting good scores this season. He sits alone at 5th in the Golfer of the Year standings.

Ryan Tabibian’s second shot at the opening par 5. It appears that Rick Guevara, putting on the green, is going to be struck by the ball, but the distance is deceptive.

Ed Louie at the first hole. I’m not sure how he did it, but he took a lot of grass with this tee shot. Just check out the enlarged version.

Chris Brown with his opening drive. Chris had a rough front nine and quickly thereafter withdrew from the tournament. As the song goes, “You gotta know when to fold’em.”

Martin Kitchener with a few practice putts. Martin had one of those four respectable rounds, a net 72, which earned him a 2-stroke victory in the second flight.

Here Martin drains a 12-foot birdie putt at #14, and then…

Martin with his fist in a defiant celebration. Bill Marchant, right side of the photo, also birdied the hole, but he has more restraint and more sophistication. Unlike Martin, Bill is no caveman, both men nevertheless use clubs.

Bill Marchant on the driving range.

Bill had a little sand problem on the opening hole. Bill’s net 78 sounds high, but still he place 4th in the 2nd flight. Yes, scores were high.

New member Brad Rice on the first hole. Brad has game. He opened with a par.

Dave Wherritt and Peter Werner on the range.

Dave Wherritt on the first tee. It takes concentration to hit a decent shot when you know it’ll be preserved forever on some web site…

New member Peter MacKenzie with his opening drive. Peter has a nice looking swing. He’s already playing in the first flight. It just isn’t fair…

Speaking of unfair, here’s new member Craig Adelman. Playing in only his second event he turns in the best gross score 80 (net 72) and wins the first flight. His round began with a birdie here at #1. Watch out Jim, this guy might give you a run for your money when you try to defend that treasured Kooman Boycheff Trophy in a few months.

Craig watches his drive at #14. Craig earned par here and went on to shot 39 on the back. Craig played to even par over the final 6 holes

Charles Upshaw and new member Al Rollins at the range. This is a nice series of shots (not talking about the golf swings; just the pictures).

Charles and Al are a graceful pair. Well, sort of.

Charles blurred in action while Al looks on.

Al earned a bogey here at the difficult finishing hole. He turned in a very impressive 43 on the back nine. Al is still playing in the Blind Bogey flight. He just needs to post a few more scores to participate in our standard flights.

Veteran Jerry Powell with a short chip at #12.

Micah Smith, son of current GOY leader Dennis Smith, provides some much needed attention to a stray coyote.

Micah gets a read on his long putt at #12.

Scott Meredith with a long putt at #12. Scott improved his play on the back nine, but not enough to place.

Guest Bob Fuller at the 12th hole. Bob placed second in the Blind Bogey flight.

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Mike Hearn plays golf with his heart on his sleeve. In this case he drop-kicked his heart across the 12th green as he missed a short par putt. Despite his antics, Mike somehow managed to place third in the third flight.

Hal Teasdale with a delicate downhill putt at #18.

Hal observes the putting stroke of Bruce Flushman on #18.

Bob Fuller and Mike Hearn as they head to the 19th hole.

Lloyd Crenna at the 2nd hole. Lloyd was looking good for third place in the third flight, even with his net 76. Then in walked Mike Hearn who posted his 74 and claimed the prize as his own.

Yun Akinaga playing the difficult signature hole (#7). This hole requires a long accurate drive. After that you’ll have to carry a creek. Yun finished three shots out of the money.

Yun reacts to a birdie try at #8. He accepted his tap in par on the tricky hole.

Yun is a man of nature. Here on the 14th hole he stopped to pluck a few daisies. They were lovely.

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Again at #14, Yun finally stopped picking flowers and proceeded to golf. If you’re a photographer holding an expensive camera, this is the last kind of shot you like to see. Thankfully, the ball sailed over my head. Nice try, Yun.

Ed Biglin with his approach shot at #10. Ed plays intelligent golf. I should hit more irons off the tee…

Ed reacts to his approach at #13.

Ed’s tee shot at #16.

Aaron Walburg hits a decent drive at #11. Aaron had an ugly front nine but the back nine was respectable. And the birdie on #18 might have earned him a little extra spending money. On the other side of the fence off in the distance is the Rooster Run golf course.

Here’s a shot which shows how close the two golf courses are. The building on the right is the Rooster Run Clubhouse. The back nine of Rooster run is adjacent to the Airport. The back nine of Adobe Creek is at the landing end of the airport.

And coming in for a landing was this attractive bi-plane.

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This picture is reminiscent of Hitchcock’s famous film. Thankfully these blackbirds weren’t interested in a chubby golfer toting golf clubs and a camera.

Todd Podoll and Rick Guevara go over the day’s action as revealed in the scorecards.

It’s scary when Rick is considered the brains of a questionable operation.

Lloyd Crenna and Yun Akinaga, thankful to be off the links, having safely made it to the 19th hole.

Members hover over scorer Ken Lloyd. Lloyd Crenna is excited still hopeful about his net 76. Net scores of 76 or higher seldom place, as was the case today.

Members await their gift certificates. Other members simply enjoy the free popcorn.

It’s been a quick season thus far. We’ve already held our 6th event, and have yet to hold a Major. The heart of the season is upon us, however, beginning in May with the Kooman Boycheff Memorial. This promises to be an exciting GOY race. Currently there are 12 players within 5 points of the lead.
 

Complete Flight Results: