Dougherty & Butcher successfully defend their Member Member Title

With blue skies aplenty this past weekend we had our Men's Member Member Championship contested on Saturday and Sunday.  We could not have had a more beautiful weekend for the tournament.  The players who threw their hats in the ring and competed for this coveted title were certainly not disappointed as the golf course continues to look better and better every day.  We had a total of 12 teams vying for the Championship with what might have been our most evenly talented group of players.  Some years their is a clear favorite for the overall gross Champion but we had many of the competitors this year with a real chance  at victory.

On Friday we started out with a practice round better ball game where we paid out first place Gross and first place Net.  We had a bit of a light showing for this game but the results was maybe a bit of a premonition as to what was to come for the weekend.  We had the team of Eddie Bray and Philip Bailey tie the team of Dave Dunn and Jack Maisano for the low net honors and Steve Dougherty and Pat Butcher took home the low gross money.  Great work guys!

Saturday's format was two separate games with the front nine being captains choice (scramble) and the back  nine a modified alternate shot where each player gets to hit a drive then the partners switch positions and hit their partners ball and after the second shot is completed they choose the best location and alternate from their until the ball is holed.  The back nine format can be quite a test in friendship.  The team of Ken Bass and Rob Oldroyd came out firing with an excellent first day round of eight under par 64 to take the first day lead by 4 shots over the team of Fire & Ice (Ron Coffman & Peter Vanica).  We had three other teams trailing close behind with under par rounds which would make for an exciting finish for Sunday.  The Net competition was also very tight with the Boals boys (Tom Sr. & Jr.) taking the day one lead by only about a quarter of a shot over Dave Harper and Tom Duggan.  The rest of the field was still within striking distance of these two teams after day 1.

Sunday's format was better ball of the two player team.  The former champions had their work cut out for them trying to make up a five shot lead after their first round of 69.  The birdies were flying near the end of the first nine holes with William Rocchi and Russell Stokes making a run at the title with 3 birdies to finish the outward nine for a score of 33.  Dougherty and Butcher were tough to beat though with a front nine score of 32 that included birdies on 4 of the last 5 holes by Steve Dougherty.  Mr. Butcher felt a bit left out on the front nine with Steve hogging all the birdies so he proceeded to birdie 10 and 11 to take the team to 6 under par for their round.  By the 13th hole it still looked like any ones ball game but then Steve Dougherty went on a tear making birdie on 14, eagle on 15 and birdie on 17.  The team finished with a par on the 18th for an astounding 10 under par 62.  This combined with their first day score of 69 totaled  131 and a 6 shot victory over their nearest competitor!  Congratulations on a hard fought victory to Steve Dougherty and Pat Butcher.

The Net Champions of Philip Bailey and Eddie Bray also had a come from behind victory as well.  These former champions were in 7th place after day 1 and almost 4 shots behind the leaders but that did not seem to affect their ability to post a seriously low number on championship Sunday and take home that coveted invite to the Champions dinner.  The duo overcame a plethora of worthy competitors to win first place net by   only 3.2 shots with an astounding 15 under par 57.  The team was surprised with the repeat victory and said "when one of us was in trouble the other one always seem to come through"  Great work guys!

We had some special event hole for the weekend
Closest to the hole #2  Rick Roberts
Closest to the hole #9  Ken Bass
Closest to the hole #12 William Rocchi
Closest to the hole #17 David Harper

Congratulations go out to all players who played this weekend.  I truly thank you for your participation in this event.  Without you their is no event so thank you very much.

Don't forget that October is our Championship month with the Couples Club Championship and the Men's & Ladies Club Championship so please sign up for these events as soon as you can so you don't miss out.  We will also have information going out about this years Battle at Bears Valley.  This is an awesome event so keep your eyes open for upcoming information pertaining to this Tournament.

Best,

Dave

John Ramsey reals back for another huge tee shot on the 18th hole

One time greenskeeper now about to become Masters Champion.

Watch the ball, Watch the ball, Watch the ball, Watch the ball

That's my partner.  Another one straight down the middle.

Here is your ball Pat.  Nice putt!

Was that a 3 or a 4 on the last hole?  

Peter "Ice" Vanica putts one on the difficult 4th as Ron "Fire" Coffman looks on.

Coffman going for the green in two on the 8th hole as Ken Bass waits in the background to do the same.

I can't believe that thing did not break!!?

Pat Butcher launches yet another shot toward the flag on the 7th

The Rock on the 7th hole hits another one close to the hole.

Rob Oldroyd attempts a shot from the fairway on the 4th while Ken Bass looks on.

Rob Oldroyd returning the favor.  What kind of finish is that KB?

New member Alan Curtis striking his second shot on the 4th hole as his partner Patrick Butler looks on.

Dave Harper requested a closeup for the Blog.  

Pat Molamphy hoping this one does not go left.

Steve Ahlfeld's game is so hot I think I see him smoking!

Harper crushes one on six

Rick Roberts and Gary Gough look on as team Harper and Duggan attempts a putt on three.

Net Champions Eddie Bray and Philip Bailey size one up on the 5th hole.

Final Scoreboard