SHORT PUTTS

When teeing areas are small, this is
a typical teeing Area on a Par-3 in
winter time. 

LOCAL:
--- EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Golf Carts will be banned from the fairways until further notice. It is imperative that we avoid compaction of the ground so that the fairways can recover from the 2011 drought that affected the turf so much. The pro-shop will issue a limited number of handicap flags for those members who truly need some help (member will cover the cost of the flag), but these members will be required to go strictly at 90 degrees across fairways and no closer than 20 yards (60 feet) from any greens. Par-3 holes will continue to be a "no carts zone". WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S COOPERATION AND INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN EFFORTS TO MAKE YOUR COURSE BETTER.

--- Along with the above, the Elk City Golf & Country Club's Board approved the purchase of two golf mats to be used on Par-3 holes during the winter. We predict that these will be so successful and welcomed by members that all Par-3 holes will eventually have these mats in use, for men and women, during the winter and early spring months. This practice will help the maintenance department with taking care of the small teeing areas during the non growth season, and will help golfers play the course at its full length at the same time since no temporary teeing areas will be necessary.

--- The traditional "President's Ball" took place last Saturday (Feb. 18). About 70 people gathered to say "hi" and spend an evening with president Joe Wynn, who is serving a third one year term. Members dined and danced at the tune of the Pale Horse band in a PAR-FECT night ahd thanks to all who attended.

--- There has been an addition to our tournament calendar: the Boy Scouts Club from Elk City will have a benefit scramble on April 21st, making it our first adult tournament of the year (the season opens on April 4 and April 11 with the Elk City High School invitationals). Teams will be composed of four golfers playing a scramble. All teams are required to have at least one kid 13 and under in their team. More details later. Tournament host is Brad Harguess.

--- After a great January where we had many great days for golf and a fair amount of play, winter caught up with us and we were closed 11 straight days. On Saturday, a cold, rainy and windy day, we had one player only. Guess who?

--- The old clubhouse built in 1952 that was replaced with the current clubhouse in 1970, was demolished. For a while, it will be difficult to get used to not seeing the charming, but small building that had not been used in over 40 years. Calvin Adkisson was the last president while the club still used the old clubhouse, Dr. Bill Husband was the first president when operations moved to the new clubhouse.

Last Winter's view of the old
clubhouse from an area just
south of #13 Tee

AWAY:
--- The last four events of the season have been won by someone coming from behind. Brent Snedeker, Kyle Stanley, Phil Mickelson and Bill Hass, who on Sunday won in a sudden death playoff, all came from behind, but they were all in the top 10 at the beginning of the fourth round. When it doesn't go well for the leaders, as it happened this last four events, we shouldn't think why it happens to the best players in the world, but why it doesn't happen more often. By the way, Bill Hass has proven, once more, that he can be a major contender who plays the odds, and pulls the shots. I'd say he is one of the top 4 favorites this week at the Accenture Match Play.

All that is left of the old clubhouse
is a concrete slab.

--- Tiger Woods will be seeded 21st for the Match Play (5th in his bracket). If he wins the first match, watch for him to "upset" other players. Will he win? I don't know, that is why they are playing it, to see who wins (sic!). This is not a prediction, but I'd like to see these players make the top 4: Ernie Els, Jonathan Byrd, Rory McIlroy, Bill Hass.

Calvin Adkisson, presided Elk City's
Country Club in 1969, the last year
the old clubhouse was used.

--- LPGA Tour is down to 22 events for the year! Down from 36 only a few years ago. Everyone wonders what really happened. If it was the economy, the PGA Tour would be suffering as well, but that is not the case. Perhaps I am way off base, but a change in times where political correctness is more "important" than doing the right thing may be one of the causes for this decrease in interest and support from sponsors: Sponsors focus on the image of the product they sell, golfers want to concentrate on playing golf and not having to deal with politics, and the public wants to see the show. Let's get back to basics.