2012/02/02

 

 

 

T'was a race to the end.  Doug Miller, as the scores were turned in, was in first place in all three contests, front, back, and total.  Then, along came Greg and with some killer scores in both front and back nearly won it all.  He had a gross 71.

 

Otto Seider played with us today.  Because of health setbacks, Otto had dropped out on MGA play since July 2010, and it's good to have him back.

 

Tommy Atkins visited after the tournament, sporting a walking stick.  His knee replacement surgery is healing and with some further rehab he may be back in the hunt sooner than expected.

 

Larry Meyers let everyone know that long-time MGA member Carroll Beale, who was in attendance at the luncheon, will have a birthday on the 9th.  He will be 95.  He received a standing ovation.

 

2012/02/02 Nassau Clear 65

Pos Scr HCP  Name of Player       Rnk  Date      Net     Gross

 1  59 12  Kepner,Greg           1 2012/02/02 (29,30) 71(35 36)

 2  61 20  Miller,Doug           1 2011/10/27 (31,30) 81(41 40)

 3  63 22  Murphy,Bill           3 2012/02/02 (32,31) 85(43 42)

 4  64 17  Kaufman,Herb          1 2011/12/01 (31,33) 81(39 42)

 5  65 20  Cassell,Gary          1 2011/09/08 (31,34) 85(41 44)

 6  66 15  Seider,Otto           6 2012/02/02 (33,33) 81(40 41)

 7  68 23  Westbrook,Bob         3 2011/10/13 (33,35) 91(44 47)

 8  69 12  Chambers,Jim          1 2011/12/01 (36,33) 81(42 39)

 9  70 14  Buford,John           9 2012/02/02 (34,36) 84(41 43)

 9  70 13  Robinson,Jerry        2 2011/12/22 (35,35) 83(41 42)

11  71 15  Lomax,Bruce           2 2012/01/26 (34,37) 86(41 45)

12  72 22  Robinson,Tom          3 2011/10/13 (36,36) 94(47 47)

13  79 18  Williams,Chris        8 2011/10/20 (38,41) 97(47 50)

14  122 17  Blair,Billy           2 2011/09/08 (32,90) 139(40 99)

 

Nine Holers results

$5.  Castiglione,Paul

$4.  Mayne,Ken

$1.  Newsome,C.L.

	Tournament  Payout
Front	Greg Kepner	$14
Back	Greg Kepner/Doug Miller	$7 each
Total	Greg Kepner	$14

Lunch was provided by Nettie Blair and Charlene Newsome with help from Billy and C.L.  The fare was chili and beans, jalapeņos, onions, chips, cornbread and tortillas.  Tea was also prepared.  For dessert it was banana pudding, great tasting, too.

Treasurer John Buford announced that we now have 43 paid up members.

2012/01/26

Medal Play format was the game today with the mercury hovering around the 46 degree mark just prior to tee time.  But the sky was absolutely clear and no wind and play was most enjoyable to the 15 golfers who signed up.

We had Eddie Wells with us today and he played well.  He's back from his back surgery taking home to wife Shirley first place money.  Not only did he win, the boy did it by three strokes ahead of the field.  In second, a tie occurred with Jim Buckingham and Bruce Lomax duking it out.

Eldon shot a 73, but got "handicapped".  With a handicap of 3, it takes extraordinary play to make his handicap.

Jay Harbison continues to recover from his shoulder surgery.  He's home now with Barb who is doing the nursing.

Tommy Atkins is doing quite well following knee replacement.   He was seen just this week at Granite Mesa walking unaided in the halls.

Pac and Norma Burnley were visited by a group of ladies this week and found Pac doing OK, but he still remains wheelchair bound.

The following table is a summary of the day's scores and finishing positions.

2012/01/26 Medal Play Clear 46

Pos Scr HCP  Name of Player       Rnk  Date      

 1  65 23  Wells,Eddie           1 2012/01/26

 2  68 13  Buckingham,Jim        2 2012/01/26

 2  68 15  Lomax,Bruce           2 2012/01/26

 4  69 14  Curtis,Bill           1 2011/09/22

 5  70 24  Kendrick,Choyce       5 2012/01/26

 5  70 11  Kepner,Greg           4 2011/09/08

 5  70 3   Tarver,Eldon          1 2011/12/22

 8  71 11  Chambers,Jim          1 2011/12/01

 8  71 20  Henley,Charlie        8 2012/01/26

 8  71 28  Newsome,C.L.          3 2011/10/20

11  72 14  Castiglione,Paul     11 2012/01/26

12  74 16  Blair,Billy           2 2011/09/08

12  74 13  Robinson,Jerry        2 2011/12/22

12  74 21  Webb,Don              3 2011/09/15

15  77 21  Robinson,Tom          3 2011/10/13

 

Tournament Payout
	Eddie Wells	$15
Second (a tie)	Bruce Lomax	$8.
	Jim Buckingham	$8

The 9-Holers were absent.  Weather, we hear, was an obstacle.  9-Holers are always on top of their game and rarely detered by a spot of cool weather.  Today was different.

One benefit from the weather-induced 9-Holer low participation was that Paul Castiglione played with the regulars.  (Paul these days is in constant motion because of his dad in San Antonio is have grave health problems.

Mac Mcconahy was on the property at the end of the game.  Even though he has been recovering nicely from the shoulder reconstruction, he has been experiencing some pain, not in his shoulder that was operated on, but in his elbow.  The therapist after examination deemed it most likely was not a rediated pain from  his shoulder but most was the main nerve running through his right arm, irritated by his aggressive return to golf.  He accordingly recommended Mac ease off playing during recovery.

Greg Kepner reminded everyone Members Scramble was coming up Sunday -- please sign up now and show at 1:00.

Jerry Robinson posted tournament scores on the computer today, a task usually done by Dougiepoo who is back skiing in Colorado this week.

2012/01/19

Today, it was eclectic.  Not a bad day either.  In fact it was a beautiful day with clear skies and hardly any breeze.  Guys were shedding their foul weather clothes before the day was over.  Even some bare legs were seen.  That's because the temperatures were in the 70s at the end of competition.

Check out the table, a summary, below.

2012/01/19 Eclectic Clear 42

Pos Scr HCP  Name of Player       Rnk  Date      

 1  30.7 13  Robinson,Jerry        2 2011/12/22

 2  32.0 3   Tarver,Eldon          1 2011/12/22

 3  32.3 20  Henley,Charlie        

 3  32.3 11  Kepner,Greg           4 2011/09/08

 5  33.0 18  Williams,Chris        8 2011/10/20

 6  33.3 14  Curtis,Bill           1 2011/09/22

 7  33.7 19  Cassell,Gary          1 2011/09/08

 7  33.7 28  Newsome,C.L.          3 2011/10/20

 9  34.0 15  Lomax,Bruce           3 2011/09/22

10  34.3 29  Campbell,Jerry        3 2011/12/01

11  34.7 16  Blair,Billy           2 2011/09/08

12  35.0 18  Miller,Doug           1 2011/10/27

12  35.0 21  Robinson,Tom          3 2011/10/13

14  35.7 16  Kaufman,Herb          1 2011/12/01

14  35.7 22  Murphy,Bill           4 2011/10/27

 

Nine Holers results

$3.  Meyers,Larry

$1.  Castiglione,Paul

 

 

The Nine Holers were scarce, only 2 signed up.  Nevertheless, Paul and Larry had a good time.

Luther  and Mac were on the property and visited with the troops, giving  reports as to where they were in rehab and which physical therapist produced the most pain.  Luther had both knees replaced as you know; Mac had his right shoulder done.

Bill Morgan came by also.  Bill's wife is not doing so well.  Bud, our president, was in the pro shop at the end.  He's recovering from back surgery and can't play for two weeks more.

Dues for year 2012 are now due.  John says, "pay up."

2012/1/05

Even though cool (40 degrees at Tee off) and with 2 hearty 9-Holers ready for action, in all  22  entered the tournament, some bundled up like Eskimos, Eldon with his bear claw mittens, and Billy Blair with his strange hat -- hair sticking out in all directions, the tournament proceeded.  Being a Stableford (Modified) format, scoring is tolerant of the occasional disaster hole, giving players having a tendency to despair when they make a 10 on a given hole -- you know, guys like Doug or Bruce -- extra life.

But while moderating the effects of that disaster hole, expert golfers have to perform on every hole because the margin for error has more effect.   Eldon shot a 65!   That's 2 strokes below his handicap.  Jim Howell shot a 73.  The lowest scorer among regular golfers was skinny Jim Chambers at 77.

Money Stableford values shown
Choyce Kendrick	First	$20	1
Dick Draper Don Webb Jerry Campbell Eldon Tarver	Second	each $5	0

Below in the familiar table showing a summary of the results.

2012/01/05 Stableford Clear 40
   
Name                      Hcp   Gr  Net Tar Scr Snet
Kendrick,Choyce           H 25  90  65  11  12   1 $20.
Webb,Don                  H 20  84  64  16  16   0 $5.
Tarver,Eldon              H 3   65  62  33  33   0 $5.
Draper,Dick               H 25  90  65  11  11   0 $5.
Campbell,Jerry            H 28  97  69   8   8   0 $5.
Murphy,Bill               H 22  89  67  14  13  -1
Lomax,Bruce               H 15  81  66  21  20  -1
Floyd,RG                  H 31  96  65   5   4  -1
Buckingham,Jim            H 13  78  65  23  22  -1
Howell,Jim                H 7   73  66  29  27  -2
Chambers,Jim              H 11  77  66  25  23  -2
Robinson,Tom              H 21  93  72  15  12  -3
Kaufman,Herb              H 16  85  69  20  17  -3
Buford,John               H 13  82  69  23  20  -3
Miller,Doug               H 18  87  69  18  13  -5
Harbison,Jay              H 15  86  71  21  16  -5
Curtis,Bill               H 14  85  71  22  17  -5
Blair,Billy               H 16  86  70  20  15  -5
Robinson,Jerry            H 12  82  70  24  18  -6
Cassell,Gary              H 19  91  72  17  11  -6

Men's 18 hole scores are recorded and summarized; this can be reviewed in the MGA "stats" panel on Blue Lake's golf web site.

Lunch was the result of culinary experts Tommy and Greg Kepner.  It was chicken casserole with all the goodies on the side.  Brownies and ice cream comprised dessert.  There  was plenty of tea to drink.  Great lunch, great cooks, great ambience.  Thanks, Kepners.

A MGA meeting was held, the monthly type, with new president Bud Goodwin, Vice President Bill Murphy, and Treasurer John Buford presiding.

Under the Stableford scoring scheme, as you know, players are awarded points as follows:

Bogie -- 1 point

Par -- 2 points

Birdie -- 3 points

Eagle -- 4 points  

A target value is calculated by subtracting one's handicap from 36.  The sum of one's Stableford points is then compared against his target, and the result is the scoring value.  The winner is the one having the highest number.

Workers seen in the area, volunteers all, were Christine Nicknish and Don Webb (after play).  Don was seen power washing the patio benches because he knows this writer likes to stand on them as he gives his opening remarks before each tournament, and this writer doesn't like dirty benches.  Also, Don, like Tool Man Taylor, enjoys the feel of power and woe to that person who gets too near -- he'll be squirted.  Christine was doing her thing in the dirt.

Winter Rules

an excerpt

The following is the local rule contained in the 2004 Rules of Golf, Appendix I, Part B, Section 3b:

"If a player's ball lies on a closely-mown area through the green [or specify a more restricted area, e.g., at the 6th hole] the player may mark, lift and clean his ball without penalty. Before lifting, he must mark the position of the ball. The player must then place the ball on a spot within [specify area, e.g., six inches, one club-length, etc.] of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, that is not in a hazard or on a putting green.

"A player may place his ball only once, and it is in play when it has been placed (Rule 20-4). If the ball fails to come to rest on the spot on which it was placed, Rule 20-3d applies. If the ball when placed comes to rest on the spot on which it is placed and it subsequently moves, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, unless the provisions of any other Rule apply.

"If the player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it or moves the ball in any other manner, such as rolling it with a club, he incurs a penalty of one stroke."

2011/12/22

Medal Play format was the game and Eldon came to enter it and see what he could do.  Old "Boom Boom" decided to settle a few challenges and with a gross score of 66 -- that's just two over club par -- he indeed delivered.  Accordingly, he finished first.

In second place were Jerry Robinson, the younger of the Bad Bad Robinson boys and Doug Miller, aka Dougiepoo, and they both were anxious to get home with some bucks in their jeans to show off to their wives.

There's speculation going around that Handicap Chairman Doug grouped the best players together in one threesome: Eldon, Jim Howell, and this writer, with the remaining, poorer players grouped by lottery.  This is emphatically not true, no matter how closely the evidence supports that speculation.

The following table is a summary of the day's scores.

22011/12/22 Medal Play Clear 43

Pos Scr HCP  Name of Player       Rnk  Date      

 1  62 4   Tarver,Eldon          1 2011/12/22

 2  67 17  Miller,Doug           1 2011/10/27

 2  67 12  Robinson,Jerry        2 2011/12/22

 4  68 17  Blair,Billy           2 2011/09/08

 4  68 12  Buckingham,Jim        4 2011/12/22

 4  68 19  Webb,Don              3 2011/09/15

 7  69 11  Kepner,Greg           4 2011/09/08

 7  69 21  Robinson,Tom          3 2011/10/13

 9  70 7   Howell,Jim            1 2011/10/13

10  71 23  Murphy,Bill           4 2011/10/27

11  73 13  Curtis,Bill           1 2011/09/22

11  73 18  Kaufman,Herb          1 2011/12/01

 

Nine Holers results

$4.  Mayne,Ken

     Spangenberg,Ron

 

Tournament Payout
First	Eldon Tarver	12.
Second (a tie)	Doug Miller	6.
	Jerry Robinson	6.

The 9-Holers were among us.  Ron and Ken played their hearts out, even though their leaders Larry and Paul were not entered and hence could not vouch for their scoring.

Christmas is at hand.  Have a  happy one! (Someone did not get the memo.)

2011/12/14

Today, it was eclectic.  Not a bad day either, except that the weatherman did not give encouraging forecasts for the day and that caused some of our more timid members to stay home to be petted by their spouses.  Chances of rain were grim and the likelihood of showers before the tournament completed became greater that 50 percent.  The last group to come in were battling a mist.

Weather aside, 11 old boys showed up ready to play, Billy Blair, the most prominent if scoring well is an indication.  Shoot, even stodgy old Jim Buckingham, a man chary of unpleasent golfing conditions, entered, Dougiepoo, too.

Check out the table, a summary, below.

2011/12/15 Eclectic Rainy 58

Pos Scr HCP  Name of Player       Rnk  Date      

 1  29.7 16  Blair,Billy           2 2011/09/08

 2  31.0 12  Kepner,Greg           4 2011/09/08

 3  31.3 23  Westbrook,Bob         3 2011/10/13

 4  32.7 7   Howell,Jim            1 2011/10/13

 5  33.7 13  Curtis,Bill           1 2011/09/22

 6  34.0 12  Buckingham,Jim        6 2011/10/20

 6  34.0 18  Williams,Chris        8 2011/10/20

 8  34.3 17  Miller,Doug           1 2011/10/27

 9  35.0 15  Lomax,Bruce           3 2011/09/22

10  35.7 28  Newsome,C.L.          3 2011/10/20

11  39.7 22  Wells,Eddie           

The Nine Holers facing the threat of rain stayed home where it was warm and dry.  Who can fault them?

We hear through Bill Morgan that Luther is progressing very well and has developed cabin fever.  He's ready for some action.

Bill Morgan's wife Anna is experiencing pain.  The treatments offered are not so comfortable.

2011/12/08

Despite marginally playable golf weather with temps in the low 40s, 8 hearty, tough MGA types, no 9-Holers, joined the tournament, a Medal Play format with a payoff based on Stableford scoring.  Under this scoring scheme, as you know, players are awarded points as follows:

Bogie -- 1 point

Par -- 2 points

Birdie -- 3 points

Eagle -- 4 points  

A target value is calculated by subtracting one's handicap from 36.  The sum of one's Stableford points is then compared against his target, and the result is the scoring value.  The winner is the one having the highest number.

Below in the familiar table showing a summary of the Medal Play (18 Hole) results.

The men's 18 hole scores are recorded and summarized; this can be reviewed in the MGA "stats" panel on Blue Lake's golf web site.

After the tournament and with some coaxing, Jerry Robinson showed up with some of his oils.  No mouth-breather, the guy can paint.  We all quickly learned his art ability is not just limited to what he does on the golfing greens, but the guy has an aptitude for the arts.  Brother Tom is also talented, especially in woodworking.  With all this talent at our club, you'd think it would rub off on the rest of us. (Some of you guys could start, say, by writing more legibly on your scorecards.  It's a beginning.)

MGA Action 2011/12/08

  2011/12/01

	Tournament  Payout
Total	Herb Kaufman and Jim Chambers	$10 each
Front	Bud Goodwin and Bill Curtis	$10 each
Back	Jim Chambers	$20

Lunch and the monthly MGA meeting followed play.  The food was garnered by Jerry Robinson.  He traveled to HEB in Marble Falls.  There's a story now grown to apocryphal levels.  No, it is not true that Jerry had to wrestle his chicken from a frail, Kingsland lady in the parking lot, a lady who had already claimed his chicken and was proceeding to her car.  OK, this story is partially true.  Jerry had phoned in the order early and when he came to pick it up was told it had been claimed by the lady in line in front of him.  Jerry knew he had to act fast.  No one at the club would accept a delay for such a story.  Not wanting having to face an angry mob, he was able get the woman to return to the deli counter.  Slick guy.  No, he did not twist her arm; she did not scream and shout.  No, the police were not called.

At the counter he was able to straighten out the confusion -- an action typical of an MGA smooth-talking southern gentleman -- and secure the chicken.

The lunch came off as one would expect of the Bad, Bad Robinson boys.  We had with the fried chicken potato salad, beans, bread, jalapeņos, pickles, tea, all perfect.  For dessert it was the standard MGA vanilla ice cream and brownies.  There were cookies, too.

The meeting was eventful.  A slate of officers for next year were presented:  Bud Goodwin for president, Bill Murphy for vice president, and John Buford treasurer. The entire slate was elected by acclamation.

Good News!  Larry Meyers was at the luncheon.  He looked fit and in good health.  The scare is over -- answer to prayers.

2011/11/17

Medal Play format was the game.  Chilly at the start but with no wind at all and with a crystal clear sky, play was very comfortable indeed.  15 showed up to play.

With such favorable weather Jay Harbison found it to be most simpatico and immediately was in the zone today.  If you've glanced at the table below, you've noticed he had a 56; that's a gross of 73.  The best ever net score was by, who else?, Gary Cassell.  It was June 6, 2002.  Gary was carrying a handicap of 30 at that time and his net then was 53!  So, no records were broken today.

The following table is a summary of the day's scores.

2011/11/17 Medal Play Clear 47

Pos Scr HCP  Name of Player      Rnk  Date      

 1  56 17  Harbison,Jay         1 2011/10/20

 2  62 20  Cassell,Gary         1 2011/09/08

 3  64 14  Curtis,Bill          1 2011/09/22

 3  64 18  Kaufman,Herb         2 2011/09/15

 5  66 12  Chambers,Jim         5 2011/11/17

 6  67 13  Atkins,Tommy         2 2011/10/13

 6  67 15  Lomax,Bruce          3 2011/09/22

 6  67 17  Miller,Doug          1 2011/10/27

 9  68 12  Robinson,Jerry       3 2011/09/22

10  71 16  Blair,Billy          2 2011/09/08

10  71 5   Tarver,Eldon         5 2011/09/22

12  73 19  Webb,Don             3 2011/09/15

 

Nine Holers results

$3.  Castiglione,Paul

$2.  Mayne,Ken

$1.  Spangenberg,Ron

The 9-Holers were among us.  Their scores are by their names listed in the table above.

Word is that Luther's operation for knee replacement was normal.  He will be headed for rehab, maybe today.

Larry Meyers is having a problem with anemia.  He's under treatment.

No one -- Marc points out -- has signed up to cook for December 1st luncheon.  Jerry Robinson and brother Tom have volunteered to jump in and undertake that job.

Herb Kaufman, after a trip to Louisiana to rid the gambling establishmetns in Bosier City of their cash, was back doing what he does best, hitting the ball straight and nailing putts.  (Strangely, Bosier City reports the damage from Herb was minimal and business as usual continues.)  BTW, Herb while gone had a birthday on 11/11/11 and is 81.  Today, he nearly -- with a score of 82 -- shot his age.

Next week is Thanksgiving Day.  No MGA golf.  Have a  happy one!

2011/11/10

Today, it was eclectic.  Not a bad day, either, even if the weather had turned chilly, like 46 at tee time.  The sun was brilliant and absolutely no wind, so the cool weather was thus neutralized.  Nevertheless, if one was having a bad day of golf, he could exclaim, "the weather made me do it."

Eclectic format is a 9 hole event, made for such courses as ours.  You play it twice and use the best score of each hole.  One third of one's handicap is applied, so unusual sounding scores are seen, like 29.3 for Doug.

Check out the table, a summary, below.

2011/11/10 Eclectic Clear 46

Pos Scr HCP  Name of Player      Rnk  Date      

 1  28.3 14  Atkins,Tommy         2 2011/10/13

 2  29.3 5   Tarver,Eldon         5 2011/09/22

 3  29.7 13  Kepner,Greg          4 2011/09/08

 4  30.0 9   Howell,Jim           1 2011/10/13

 4  30.0 18  Miller,Doug          1 2011/10/27

 6  31.0 12  Robinson,Jerry       3 2011/09/22

 6  31.0 18  Williams,Chris       8 2011/10/20

 8  31.3 14  Curtis,Bill          1 2011/09/22

 9  32.7 16  Blair,Billy          2 2011/09/08

 9  32.7 28  Newsome,C.L.         3 2011/10/20

 9  32.7 22  Robinson,Tom         3 2011/10/13

12  33.0 21  Cassell,Gary         1 2011/09/08

13  33.3 17  Harbison,Jay         1 2011/10/20

13  33.3 23  Murphy,Bill          4 2011/10/27

15  33.7 22  Miller,Richard       3 2011/10/13

16  34.0 30  Floyd,RG             1 2011/09/22

 

Nine Holers results

$3.  Castiglione,Paul

$1.  Mayne,Ken

The Nine Holers also competed for winnings.  Their results are tabulated in the summary table above.

It was Turkey Shoot time after golf.  Bill Murphy made a trip for the turkeys, three of them, and the guys lined up at 100 yards, 50 yards, and from below (from the fairway of Number 4).

100 yards	Jim Howell
50 yards	Paul Castiglione
Hole (the  hole)	Billy Blair