CLINTON (RIVERSIDE G.C.) CLOSES STRONG TO WIN FIRST GPN BANK BEDLAM CUP

Robert Garton, President GPN Bank
Mangum, presents the Bedlam Cup
to teammates from Clinton.

The fifth edition of the Great Plains National Bank Bedlam Cup was close.... but only after the first 18 holes, as Clinton "smoked" everyone on the alternate shot format the last nine holes of the event and scored 71 out of 72 possible points to pass 18 hole leaders Elk City Red, and pull farther away from Elk City Blue who ended up in third place.

Clinton had two almost perfect sessions, in the Best Ball (Low Ball), they had 35 wins and one tie, to take the lead with 35.5 points to Elk City Red's 28 points, and Elk City Blue's and Woodward's 27 points. The second nine belonged to Elk City Red with a perfect score of 36 out of 36 points and took the lead by 2 over Clinton who had scored 26.5 points of a possible 36. After 18 holes, Elk City Red had 64 points, Clinton had 62 points, Elk City Blue had 55 points and Woodward had 52 points.

With the third and final session counting double points, all four of the above teams were in the running if a team got "hot", and Clinton did just that: in Alternate Shots their four low scores which count for points, were 33, 35, 37 and 37 to earn 8 wins and a tie for 71 points out a possible 72. Elk City Red earned 63 points and fell back to second place. Elk City Blue made 25 points, with Woodward making 24 to come in third and fourth respectively.

It was the closest Bedlam Cup ever to the very end, and the first time that Elk City Red did not come up on top of this annual gathering.... (okay guys, back to the practice range).

Craig Phelps, Shawn Wilson, Anya Alvarez,
and Kallen Nichols... "pairing number 8" of
Elk City Blue.

A team is composed of 16 players which are divided in 8 teams of 2. Each team of two plays nine holes Low Ball (the front nine), nine holes Scramble (back nine) and nine holes Alternate Shots, with half of the team going to the front nine and half to the back nine. The top four scores of each format are counted, and to earn points, are matched against the top four scores of all other teams respectively (first score versus first score, second versus second etc.). Each win is a point in the first two formats, and two points in the last format. Tied scores split the points. So, you can see that after 18 holes, no one could be declared the winner, and any of the first four teams was still in a mathematical position to win.

This year we had the pleasure and honor of being captained by Kallen Nichols, who accepted the role in memory of his father, Terry Nichols. Last year, Terry, a "never-give-up" man, had accepted the same role at a time when he was battling cancer, but also at a time when all looked a lot more bright for the future as it turned to be. That Saturday, Terry had been called to Phoenix to check out a new medical procedure and had to miss being here, instead, Terry, being Terry, left a short encouraging note for his friends, fellow members and all competitors. The note was read by Shawn Wilson. This year, there was no written note or speech, only a moment to remember our friend, and a moment to recognize that we should always embrace and enjoy the present: SOMEONE IN YOUR GROUP IS GOING TO HAVE FUN.... WHY NOT YOU?

A special thank you to all players, with an even more special appreciation to our membership who could not be better hosts nor could love golf any more, and last, but not least, and of course to Great Plains National Bank for their annual support of this event that promotes golf through great relationships, and lasting friendships through golf!