FAIRCHILD-ALBERT & HULEN-LITTLE TIE FOR 1st IN SEASON'S OPENER

"Those guys up in front are playing too
fast... are they making many birdies?"

"We're trying!"

I don't know about you, but this has been a very long golf-less winter. It seems like since November, we really haven't had a week-long of nice weather, so, a couple of weeks ago, when the weather forecast seemed to be just right for this weekend, we thought of a "season's opener" or "kick-off" since members were beginning to ask, "when is the first tournament?", or, "when is the first Tuesday Scramble?", one asked, "when is the first Sunday Shuffle?". Well, all those answers will follow the results of this season's opener, that ended up being played in a blistery, cloudy, almost cold day instead of the predicted 70 degrees, sunny day just 10 days ago. Nevertheless, we had an "impromptu tournament".

Always participating, always enjoying
the game!

Turned out a pretty good approach
for team Fairchild-Albert

Nineteen teams of two players each came to join us for a day of golf followed by some pizza, and for some, hot coffee and hot cocoa. We divided the teams in two flights, which given the final scores, perhaps next time we should think of doing three flights, even if the small prizes get smaller: this is just an outing to spend some time with some other friends, but this is a discussion that I will have with myself another time, back to the tournament....

The format called for Holes 1-6 in Low Ball, Holes 7-12 in Scramble and 13-18 in Modified Alternate Shots (both players hit a tee shot, and after selecting the best of the two tee shots, alternated shots until holing out). 

Practice is beginning to pay off for
Keith Hulen & Rod Little

Always nice to share a round with dad!

In the "A" Flight, Mark Fairchild-Andrew Albert tied for first with Keith Hulen-Rod Little when both teams ended up with a seven under par 64. Jut one shot behind, with a 65, were Aaron Kauk-Craig Martin, and, in fourth place, just another shot back, were Rusty Wilson and daughter Kelsi (who by the way, won the season's high school opener in Sayre in a very windy day by scoring a 79). At her home club, Kelsi had three birdies in the six holes played in low ball! 

The "B" Flight was won by Jorey Price-Cole Bynum who finished with a one under par 70. One shot back at even par 71 were Mark Flavin-Mike Jimeson, and tied for third, with a 74 were two teams, Paul Gunkel-Greg Dodson and Chase McAbee-Juan Lopez. 

I would say...
PRETTY GOOD FORM!

"Don't close your eyes... it's close!"

Except for the tie for 1st place in the "A" flight, which was broken by a sudden death playoff, all other ties were decided on a scorecard playoff starting on hole #13 (first hole of alternate shots). The sudden death playoff was won by Mark and Andrew when Andrew chipped in for birdie on #10 (Keith and Rod would have won the scorecard playoff as the had birdied the tough #13). In the other scorecard playoff, Chase and Juan won in the third hole (#15) when Greg and Paul could not match par on this seemingly easy signature hole. 

So...  what is coming up... when does it all start?

Sunday Shuffle: Sunday April 20 (We could start on the 13th but that is Masters Sunday... let's watch it!)

Tuesday Night Scramble: Tuesday, April 15 (Tax Day!)

First Tournament? We just had it yesterday!

Next "First Tournament": Boy Scouts Benefit Scramble on April 12 (Saturday)

Demo Day: Tuesday, April 22

Meanwhile, we will have three high school tournaments, the usual Girls (Monday, April 7) and Boys (Monday, April 14) invitationals, and this year, the Boys Regional (Monday, April 28).

Link to "OneDrive" Photos for this tournament: https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=515395678268EF75%219076