2023 Playoffs - Final Round

We couldn’t have asked for better playing conditions as we headed into our final 18 holes of the season. It was nice to return to a more normal ending to another great golf year after the turmoil of the Covid years. Let’s hope next season brings us all the way back.

In the “A” Division, the Rolling Stones cruised to a six shot victory over the second place Southpaws. The Stones finished with a total of 379 while the Southpaws scored a 385. The Fat Shafts finished well back in third with a total of 399 while Grip It N Sip It unfortunately had to drop out of play due to previous commitments.

History has shown in the league that anything can happen and no lead is safe heading into the final 18 holes of playoffs. That proved true once again as the Dubbers overcame an eight stroke deficit and moved from third place to first to win the “B” Division. The Dubbers finished with a total of 396 which was eight strokes better than both the Latecomers and KGB who tied for second place with a total of 404. The Fivesome struggled and finished well off the pace in fourth.

The “C” Division ended up being a bit of a runaway. The Whizbangers had an eight shot lead before the final day and they increased that lead to win the division by 22 strokes with a total of 420. The Wedgers held on to second place with a 442 total while the CCCP grabbed third with a 460 total. Rounding out the division in fourth place were the Hackers who shot 493.

The closest to the pin winners on the final day were Josh Hogan on hole 2, Tim Donaldson on hole 9, Nick Vangemeren on hole 11 and Brady Schick on hole 18. Josh Hogan was the only player to record a hole-in-one this year and walked away with $136 for his ace.

As always our sincere thanks to Alida and Tom for all they do behind the scenes. I would not be able to update this blog each week without Alida’s help in texting me the score sheets. Tom and Andy gave us great playing conditions all year long. A huge thanks to Steve Powell who continues to be the driving force behind our league and keeps it organized. His efforts can easily be taken for granted but I know every member truly appreciates what he does, even if we drive him crazy at times. Thanks to all of you who take the time to visit this blog throughout the season. It’s nice to know you enjoy checking it out each week.

Steve plans to get me a rundown of the league finances soon and I’ll do my best to post them once I get them. Just so you are all aware, there is a possibility of a slight increase in league dues next year which will of course go right back into the league and the cash prizes. More on that once it’s confirmed.

Below I’ve posted the final results and some photos from the final night for you to look at. If you click on a photo it should enlarge the image.

Thanks again for a terrific year and for those who won’t be out on Wednesday nights this Autumn to play the weekly fun scrambles, have a safe and healthy winter and we’ll see you in the Spring.

 

 

Regular Season Complete

The last night of the regular season has solidified the final standings and the participants in each of the playoff divisions. Before I share those groupings, we’ll take care of tonight’s matches.

The Fivesome narrowly took six points from the KGB and slipped past the Whizbangers for eighth place. Also taking six points were the Southpaws, Dubbers, Rolling Stones and Fat Shafts. Grip It N Sip It grabbed five points while a single point went to the Latecomers.

The closest to the pin winners were Nick Vangemeren on hole 9 and Colin McDonald on hole 18. The 50/50 winner was Pat Convey.

As we head into the first nine holes of the playoffs next week, these will be the division groupings.

“A” Division
1. Fat Shafts
2. Southpaws
3. Rolling Stones
4. Grip It N Sip It

“B” Division
1. KGB
2. Dubbers
3. Latecomers
4. Fivesome

“C” Division
1. Whizbangers
2. CCCP
3. Wedgers
4. Hackers

Just a reminder that we will be returning to our pre-Covid playoff routine. The next two Wednesdays will be nine holes each from the white tees. On Saturday September 9th we will play 18 holes from the blue tees and all team members can play. The round will be followed by the wrap up meal and social.

If anything changes I’ll let you know. See you next week.

Fat Shafts Five Time Champs

For the fifth consecutive season, the Fat Shafts have clinched the Regular Season title. After taking four points in their match this evening, they made it impossible to be caught by the Southpaws or the Rolling Stones. Those two teams will still have to determine second and third in the final week. Congrats to the team members, Mark Kennedy, Andy Koetstra, Lyle Williams, Stephen Westlake and Gerry Fox.

The last playoff spot in the “A” Division is still unknown although Grip It N Sip It holds a slim three point lead over the KGB.

The Dubbers and Latecomers are assured to be in the “B” Division while the battle for eighth place between the Whizbangers, Fivesome and CCCP will come down to next Wednesday night. Just four points separate the teams.

Tim Donaldson had the low round of the night shooting a 28. Andy Koetstra posted a 29 and Steve Westlake shot a round of 30.

In the other matches tonight, the Southpaws, KGB and CCCP all took six points. The Rolling Stones and Grip It N Sip It earned four points while two points each went to the Whizbangers, Fivesome and Dubbers.

The closest to the pin winners were the Rolling Stones on hole 8 and Ron Eilens on hole 17. The 50/50 winner was Kim Defosse.

A special reminder to the team captains to please let Steve Powell know by next week, how many players you will have out for the final 18 holes of playoffs and the party on September 9th. Steve needs and accurate head count.

Congratulations to Andy Koetstra  who won the Club Championships last weekend. He and Nick Vangemeren needed a three hole playoff to decide things.

We’re back to the white tees for the final week of the regular season. See you then.

Southpaws Score Well

In a head to head match between the undefeated teams tonight, the Southpaws set the new Team Low Gross mark with an 87 and beat the Rolling Stones for six points and first overall.

Nick Vangemeren also became the new Individual Low Gross leader by shooting an even par 27.

Also taking six points tonight were the Wedgers for their first points of the year, the Fat Shafts who moved into second place, Fivesome and KGB. The Dubbers earned four points and the Latecomers took two points.

The closest to the pin winner on hole #4 was Derek Leclair. There was no name available for hole #13. The 50/50 winner was Kim Defosse.

Sorry no video to share this week. I was too busy counting my score. We move to the blue tees next week. See you then.

The Standings Shuffle

With just seven weeks of regular season play left before the playoffs, things remain tight and ever changing.

From one week to the next the teams from 3rd to 8th place continue to flip flop spots. With just a nine point spread, these teams continue to battle for playoff positioning.

In tonight’s action, the Fat Shafts, Whizbangers, KGB, CCCP and Rolling Stones all took six points. The Southpaws earned five while the Fivesome tied the Net for a single point. 

Nick VanGemeren was both good and lucky tonight grabbing the closest to the pin on hole #11 and the 50/50. Kim Defosse was closest on hole #2.

Vangemeren Shoots Twenty Six

It’s not officially summer yet but things were definitely heating up on the course tonight with some great scores and the weather. 

We have a new leader for the Individual Low Gross after Nick Vangemeren posted a one under par round of 26. His score combined with a pair of 30’s by Paul Scobie and Tim Donaldson improved the Southpaws Team Low Gross with an 86. 

The Fat Shafts finally faltered and lost their first point of the season as they took five from the Whizbangers who earned a single point by splitting the net in their match. 

The Southpaws, KGB, Dubbers and Rolling Stones all took six points. Grip It N Sip It grabbed four points and the Latecomers took two. 

The closest to the pin winners were Thom Christmann on hole #8 and John Keuning on hole #17. The 50/50 winner was David Schwartz. 

The schedule for next week shows we will be playing the white tees again but I was informed that it’s likely that we will be playing the blue tees instead. See you then.

Wintery First Round

I'm sure many of us thought this opening round of league play might not happen and the weather certainly did its best to stop us but despite the near freezing temperatures, another season of league play is off and running.

To the new golfers joining us, welcome to the league and to the familiar faces, it's great to see you back for another go. Let's just hope it starts warming up soon.

On the opening night, despite the sub-par conditions (see what I did there?) it looks like we saw some decent scores. The Individual Low Gross leaders are Andy Koetstra and Nick Vangemeren who both shot 29. The Team Low Gross is held by the Fat Shafts who turned in a 100.

The Fat Shafts, Rolling Stones, Whizbangers and newcomers Grip it N Sip it all took six points. The Southpaws earned five points and the Dubbers took four points. The K.G.B. grabbed two points and a single point went to the Hackers.

The Closest to the Pin winners were Dave Schwartz on hole #1 and Jim Turner on hole #10. The 50/50 winner this week was Al Wilkinson.

Everyone do your best to stay safe and we'll see you next Wednesday night.