(First round indexes are based on the March 2005 index report. Subsequent indexes are updated to reflect current handicaps. Remember to always use current handicaps in your matches. Flights are generated by dividing the field into an equal number of flights. Player's indexes then determine which flight they are in.)

Eddie Reed Tournament Complete! High Seeds Win

Championship Matches:

Championship Flight Championship Match:

Every flight has been finalized in the 2005 Eddie Reed tournament. Each flight was won by fairly high seeded players. The shocker of the year was Jim Peretti winning the Championship flight. Although he was last year's Golfer of the Year, this long-time member hadn't won a low gross event until last year when he won the Kooman Boycheff tournament. Jim's furious march this season was to a certain degree fueled by the Club President, who'd been telling Jim each step would be his last. He'd even offered Steve Obana a beer if he'd defeat Jim in the first round. Jim (5th seed) proved him wrong with wins over Obana (12th seed) and stunning wins over arguably our club's three best golfer, Mark Steppan (#4 seed and former Eddie Reed Champion), Paul Zingg (#1 seed; 2-time defending champion), and his most amazing performance in the championship match where he defeated seven-time Eddie Reed Champion Steve Desimone in a match which lasted 19 holes. Jim proved himself worthy of his 2004 Golfer of the Year title.

Play by Play:
Steve Desimone was vying for his 8th Eddie Reed Championship while Jim Peretti was trying to win his first. They held their match on August 17th at Ruby Hill, playing from the championship tees (Rating 74. 2; slope 136; 7,017 yards!). David Moers was also playing and was able to enjoy the match as a spectator. It was back and forth all day until Jim won it on the 19th hole. This marked the fourth consecutive year that the championship flight was one by a single hole. Steve began the round by winning the opening hole. He was able to build his lead to 2-up at the turn by shooting 37. Jim shot 40. Hole #9 was interesting, as Peretti scrambled to halve the hole with a terrific up and down to save par. Steve then went 3-up by winning #10. He was in command until #13 at which point he hit what appeared to be a perfectly placed shot over a trap and down the middle of the fairway. Peretti then hit a good drive left center of the fairway. This is where, as Jim puts it, “the golf god's came into play.” They could not find Steve’s ball. Where did it go? They looked everywhere. Steve had return to the tee and play a second ball. Jim made par to win the hole. They pushed #14 and pushed #15 with pars. Jim was 2-down with three to play. As Jim puts it, “It looked bad for the Boomer.” At hole #16 Steve suffered a double-bogey and Jim won the hole with a bogey. Suddenly Jim was only 1-down with two to play. They halved #17 and Steve was dormie. On hole #18 both players reached the green in regulation. Steve was outside of Jim and lagged his putt to 2-feet. Jim was standing over a 12-foot birdie putt which he had to make or lose the match. He made the putt and the players returned to the first tee, all square. It was the first time since teeing off at the first hole 4 hours earlier that Jim was even in the match. Steve had won the hole the first go-around. This time Jim won the hole. Steve riped his drive down the center of the fairway while Jim hit his into the rough. Jim hit his next shot short of the green while Steve hit the green, but 30 feet below the hole. Jim’s chip landed 14-feet from the hole. Steve lagged his putt to 6 feet. Jim drained the 14-footer for par and the pressure was now on Steve, who missed the putt. Over the first 18 holes Steve had carded 81 (net 78) and Peretti shot 80 (net 74). [Note that they were not giving strokes, but net scores provide a sence of personal performance.] Jim reported that the match was very exciting, but he had some difficulty recalling everything because following the round he celebrated quite liberally in the clubhouse.

First Flight Championship Match:

Our 2005 First flight winner was Jimmy Ikeda. In 2002 Jimmy had lost in the first flight championship match. This time Jimmy (Seeded #6) defeated Gene Eun #12 seed) 5 +4. Jimmy Ikeda has had a terrific 2005 season, highlighted by wins at Wente Vineyards and the Low Net Major at the Kooman Boycheff Memorial Tournament. Jimmy's advance through the bracket was marked by two close matches and two blow-outs. Jimmy played (ever busy father Eddie Kleinhans (#12 seed) and won handily, He then squeaked past Steve Sanguinetti 2up on Steve's home course, the Peninsula Country Club. Jimmy's toughest match was his 1up win at the Metro against Rick Guevara (#2 seed). In the championship match Jimmy defeated Gene. By winning the Kooman and Eddie Reed this year, Jimmy becomes only the ten player ever to win multiple majors in a single season. (It's occurred 22 times, but those were divided amongst only ten different people. Jim also becomes only the second member ever to win those two majors in a single season (Steve Desimone has done it twin (1983, 2004). Jim is the only member ever to win the Net Championships of those event in a single season (Steve's wins included gross flights). Needless to say Jimmy's been playing well and has shined in the majors this season.

Play by Play:

The final match of the first flight was played at the Metropolitan on August 6. Jimmy Ikeda defeated Gene Eun 5+4, which ironically is the largest margin of victory since 2002 when Jimmy lost in a first flight championship match to 6 + 5. Jimmy was fired up and evidently determined to win this time ‘round. Jimmy went up early, but this was due in large to some admittedly poor putting by Gene, who three-putted the first four holes. By the 8th hole Jimmy was 3-up. Gene reduced the lead to 2-up by winning the 10th hole, however, Jimmy sank a huge 25-footer for par on #11 to increase his lead back to 3-up. Jimmy then birdied #12 to go 4-up. The match was conceded on the 14th hole. Jimmy carded 82 (net 71) while Gen shot 85 (net 72). They played the blue tees.

Second Flight Championship Match:

Our 2005 Second flight winner was Club President Aaron Walburg. In a season plagued by a nagging wrist injury, Aaron at least played well in one event. Walburg was the only 2005 Eddie Reed flight winner who'd received a bye and therefore he only had to win three matches. The Second Flight was an all-star flight which included four recent Eddie Reed Champions: Barry Woods (2001 & 2004), Dave Wherritt (2004), Scott Meredith (2002), and Aaron Walburg (2002). Additionally it boasted Martin Kitchener, the 2003 Match Play Champion for the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Progressing through the second flight Walburg (#4 seed) defeated 2002 Eddie Reed Champion Scott Meredith (#5 seed) 3 + 2. His next match was his best round in three years, and he needed it. It was against Defending Champ, Barry Woods, a 2-time champion who excels at match play. Birdies on the first two holes and a 40-fototer for par on the third put Aaron 2up, however Barry nearly squared the match on the 11th hole but missed a short putt. Down the stretch Aaron pulled away. Despite the 4 +3 final score, it was a close match. Moreover Barry was not on his game that day. A week later Barry was on his game when he fired a 75 (net 62) at the same course (Poppy Ridge). Perhaps it's all about timing.
(More highlights of this match yet to come.)

Play by Play:

Rich Hextrum and Aaron Walburg held their match on August 27 at Indian Valley. They played the white tees. Rich shot 84 (net 70) and Aaron shot 82 (net 68). Over the first six holes Rich amassed a 3-up lead. He'd won 4 of the 6 holes, lost one, and pushed one. Rich's short game is amazing and coupled with a magically endowed 2-iron Rich made some stunning pars. On the 7th hole Aaron had to drain a hard-breaking, downhill, 12-footer to halve the hole and avoid going down 4. That putt was the turning point of the match. Over the next 11 holes (remaining holes of the match) Aaron played at 1 over par while Rich played at 9 over par. Aaron's driver and putter (and confidence) had returned and the match was all square after the 11th hole. They halved #12 with bogies and both drain terrific birdie putts on #13, Aaron with a very fast, bendy, 16-footer and Rich with a solid 7-footer. Aaron went 1-up on #14 when Rich pulled a shot OB. He hit another shot OB on #16 at which point the match was dormie. Aaron closed the match on #17 when Rich conceded the hole after taking a bogie. The two shots OB were basically the match. After the match, while walking to the 18th tee, Aaron confessed to Rich that in preparation for this match he'd hit the driving range every other evening for the past three weeks. He also confessed to having played a practice round earlier in the week. Rich has three children and a real life. Rich nevertheless had a terrific Eddie Reed performance and defeated three tough competitors. One bit of irony here is that Rich, having advanced to the finals, sent an email to Aaron asking who he'd play. Aaron, knowing the state of his own game and that his semifinal opponent was Barry Woods, replied with, "You’ll likely play Barry Woods. We’ll find out for sure this afternoon." Upon reading this Rich gave Aaron a huge reprimand: "You’ll likely play Barry Woods: What are you talking about? Go out there and kick some butt! You are the President, the leader, start acting like one. Focus, do not take no for an answer!" Aaron replied in kind, with the spirit Rich was looking for, vowing to take down Barry and then come after him. He'd live to regret this pep talk!, he'd proclaimed... Lesson here is never to provide encouragement to potential opponents! But Rich's generosity is uncontrollable. He's too nice a guy to help himself.

Third Flight Championship Match:

Our 2005 Third flight winner was new member Tim Walsh. As the #10 seed Tim was the highest seeded player to win his flight. Most impressive is that Tim advanced and won in a fashion which may be unprecedented. Namely he defeated the #1, #2, and #3, seed, as well as the #7 seed. It's something which would require loads of time to research, but it's doubtful that this has ever before been accomplished in the club's near 30-year history. In his opening match Tim defeated an old Bear and one of our few charter members, Jack King (#7 seed). Tim won this match 5 + 4. Tim had a close match against Kelly Alvarez (#2 seed and 2003 Eddie Reed Champion). Tim squeaked out a 2 + 1 win. Tim's third match was against another of our old Bears, Boyd McCaslin. Boyd (#3 seed) is a tenacious competitor and winner of the prestigious UC Trophy at the 2004 Faculty/Staff tournament. Nevertheless Tim won this match 7 +5 and was next going to have to face the #1 seed and match play guru, Dennis Smith. Dennis had twice previously advanced to the Eddie Reed Championship match but had yet to win it. Nevertheless Dennis, a recent winner of the Chancellor's Trophy, Former Golfer of the Year, and 2005 Golfer of the Year leader would not be easy to defeat. Tim played Dennis at Paradise Valley and won with a 2 up win in a match which wasn't decided until the 18th hole. Tim's road to the 2005 Eddie Reed Championship was perhaps the most impressive we've ever seen.

Play by Play:
Tim Walsh and Dennis held their match at Paradise Valley on August 16, off the white tees. Tim lives in Roseville so this was meeting somewhere in the middle. This was reported by Tim Walsh. Both he and Dennis played really well, shooting 86. Dennis carded a net 69 while Tim fired a net 66. On the front nine Tim shot a 41 and Dennis shot a 43. Tim was 2-up at the turn. The back nine was extremely close. The players pushed on six of the nine holes. Dennis was never up and Tim’s largest lead was 3-up. Tim had a chance to close the match on #16 with a 3-foot putt, but he missed it. He had another chance to finish it at #17 with a putt which stopped three inches shy of the hole. Dennis won the hole, which left Tim dormie after 17 holes. They headed to #18. This was one of three stroke holes for Tim. They each bogied the hole so, coupled with his stroke, Tim won the final hole and ended the match 2-up. It was a fun and grueling day. One of the key holes in the match was #14. Tim was in the fairway bunker about 110 yards out, lying three. He hit a terrific bunker shot to10 feet and sunk the putt for par to halve the hole and remain 2-up. “Overall, a great day of golf with a great guy.”, said Tim.
Tim is a new member and mentioned that he’s really happy he joined this club!

Semi-Final Matches

Well, just as feared, all those predictions seemed to fire up the wrong people. For instance Fly-by-night Jim Peretti got so fired up the he advance through to the finals. He even managed to achieve the impossible by ousting Paul Zingg. Paul is a 2-time consecutive champion and hasn't lost in three years! In their match at the Meadow Club Jim pulled ahead but never managed to close out Paul until the 18th hole.

Speaking of being fired up, Steve Desimone admitted he'd read the predictions below and was not going to let Walburg's predictions come to pass. In a see-saw match at the Meadow Club (same foursome as above) Steve and Ryan Atkinson went back and forth all afternoon. Steve was playing on his freshly healing knee, but that didn't seem to stop him. He fired a 74 while Ryan fired a 76. It lasted until the 18th hole, where both players managed par. Ryan completed the final 8 holes at 1-under par and Steve finished the last 7 holes at 1-under par. You can't ask for better play over the final stretch. Through it all, somehow, the bad guys won at the Meadow Club that infernal afternoon.

Phone Directory
The first step is contacting your partner. If anyone's phone number has changed, let Aaron know.