CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 2016

(Related pictures will follow here and Facebook)

Rain on Friday afternoon threatened the playing conditions, but the course drained well and by Saturday morning, the only hole we needed to play with "preferred lies" (mark, lift, clean and place) was #3, that is not only the most difficult par four hole on the course, but also is located on a low valley that accumulates a lot of water. The day was mostly cloudy and warm, but not hot. A perfect day for golf, and the scores showed it. Players who usually score in the 90's, scored in the 80's, players who usually score in the 80's, scored in the 70's and players who usually score in the 70's, came with some scores in the 60's!!!

At the end of day one, we had three 66's, a 67, two 69's and two 70's. You expected Joby Gray to have a good score, and according to his group and himself, his 66 was the "worst" score he could have shot with the way he hit the ball. Suffice it to say that he failed to birdie #11, #15 and #18! Tied with him, was former Elk City teammate Logan Gore, who had anything but a steady round: unlike Joby, who had five birdies and no bogies, Logan had five birdies, an eagle and two bogeys. Tied with them was surprise 66 shooter Jason Minter, who like Joby, had no bogeys. One shot back, at 67, was Blake Johnson who had five birdies and a bogey. Two more shots back at 69 were David Poole and Michael Robinson. At 70 were Rusty Wilson and Mark Fairchild. Sunday was difficult to predict, and no one would have guessed what transpired.

Unlike Saturday, Sunday was very difficult for golf, very windy and very hot. Scoring would be difficult and players would have to be patient. Some were, and some weren't: without going into details, Logan fell back early and after seven holes, he was nine over par for the day and out of contention. So was Jason Minter who was six over par. Hanging in there, was stubborn, never give up attitude, Blake Johnson who was not finding his rhythm and was three over par, and would play the last 12 holes in one over par for a toughly earned 75 which could have been much worse, had it not bee for his determination not to give up. Up two holes ahead, Rusty Wilson kept making pars, and after a hard day on the course, he had a well earned 71 that put him at one under par for the tournament at day's end. All he had to do was wait and see how everyone else fared. But Joby, as well, scored a 71 and a four shot victory over Rusty, the only other player finishing under par. In third place was Blake Johnson with a 142 and in fourth were Michael Robinson and David Poole, both with 145's.

On the ladies Championship Flight there were only three players, but it did not lack quality. Kinsley Hall, Rachel Poole and Kelcee Millican were the field. Long hitting Kelcee, a fine player, was not at her best and had an 80 and 81, but Kinsley and Rachel had a great duel. Both of them shot identical rounds of 73 and 76. Kinsley took an early lead in the day, then faltered, and after 15 holes, was trailing by two, but birdies on #16 and #17 brought her even with Rachel. They both parred #18 setting up a playoff that lasted three holes, with young Kinsley prevailing.

In the "AA" flight, Eddie Davis came up on top by one shoot over Kaleb Keith, 144 to 145. Eddie had 73-71, Kaleb had 71-74. Jack Coody was at 147 and Colby Brewster was at 148. Jack Coody was the net winner of the flight with a 133.

In the "A" flight, young Baylar Barnett seems to have found a way to play golf with what he has, and not be worried about what he doesn't have (haven't we all been that way! LOL) and had solid rounds of 73 and 76 to win by four over Jason Kiener and Tommy Gilliland who ended with 153's. At 154 were Tate Trotter and dad Barry and Jason Brooks. The net winner of the flight was Rusty Ridling with a 131.

In the "B" flight, Jeff Rule came on on top with a solid round on Sunday of 76. His total of 157 won him the flight over Robert Lakey and Danny DeLeon who had 159's and Bobby Johnson who had a 160. The net winner of the flight was Robert lakey with a 131.

The "C" Flight was won by Terry Jordan who had rounds of 83 and 82 for 165. Roy Garrison was next at 168 and at 169 was Gabe Edney and at 170 was Larry Hudgens. The net winner of the flight was, for the second year in a row, Roy Garrison with a 132.

The "D" flight started with two players on top with 84's, Ricky Marr and Allen Robinson, but Allen was not at his best on Sunday and soon fell back. Marr won the flight with a second 84 and a 168 over Phillip Byer who closed with an 80 for a 176 and steady Mike Stout (90-87) at 177. The Net was won by Phillip Byer who had a net total of 118.

In the senior divisions, the results were as follows:

"Young Seniors":
Steady Jeff Donaghey came up on top in the young seniors with 153 (74-79), followed by Rusty Ridling and Greg Dodson at 155, and Jeff Rule at 157. First net was a tie at 131 between Rusty Ridling, Jeff Rule and Greg Dodson.

"Mid Seniors"
Eddie Davis, who won overall seniors was first at 144, followed by close friend Ronnie Smith at 153, and Danny DeLeon at 159. Phillip Byer won the net at 118.

"Super Seniors"
Tommy Gilliland won the Super Seniors for the second year in a row with a 153. He was followed by Robert Lakey at 159 and Craig Phelps at 152 (Phelps was the Saturday leader at 77 but fell back with an 85 on Sunday). Robert Lakey won the net with a 131.

I want to end this post by thanking all participants. It is great to have so many members interested in their Club Championship and I hope it grows even more.