Match Play

Richard Gallied def. Mike Bakos, 3 & 1, Wilshire Country Club. Can anyone truly appreciate the pressure on the Hovens as they pulled into the Wilshire CC parking lot, only to receive a phone call from our wives to tell us that the loser need not come home. Normally
these matches require a little re-cap on who did what and when; however this day was not about golf.......it was more about the meaning of life.

When Mr. Bakos was unable to keep his tee shot out of the driving range on 17 the match came to a merciful end.

After a 3 hour talk with Lee I finally convinced her to allow Mike to at least live in the garage until she could forgive him. So if you are driving by their garage give Mike a honk and maybe slide Pizza under the door for him.

FREE MIKE!

David Swatik def. Darin Miller, 2 up, Sterling Hills Golf Club. Bittersweet is the word that comes to mind. How can I be upset, yes I lost to Swatty 2 & 0. Yes he shot a 40 on the back side (Houndy did he post?), yes he had a net birdie on #17 and a gross birdie on #18. How can I be upset? I can't, because it was absolutely awesome day.

Swatty greeted Teddy & me with Bloody Mary's on the first hole and it just got better and better. From Teddy & Billy O's grueling match to my own match with Swatty, we all went back and forth from the 1st hole to the 18th hole. The crucial point in my match with Swatty was
on the 17th hole all tied up and he strokes. His ball sitting nicely in the fairway Swatty accidentally steps on his ball and informs me that he stepped on his ball, which I did not see. Well, in match play that's a one stroke penalty, decision time for D. Mill. I decide not
to call it because I don't want the match to be decided on that infraction. Swatty then pars (net birdie) and I am down one going into #18.

Swatty puts his third shot tight on 18 and makes the putt for a birdie. Match over.

I will not go into the details of the 19th hole, from what I remember Cuervo shots were bought for all by Billy O too many times to remember. A matter of fact I think Billy wanted Ish and Myself to punch him in the face. Now I remember why I blackballed him (just kidding).

Billy Ortgiesen def. Ted Dodd, 2 & 1, Sterling Hills Golf Club. What an epic day, even from the losers perspective. Absolutely picture perfect day at Sterling Hills in Camarillo. Billy O and Teddy went to battle armed with a bloody on #1 thanks to Swatty. D. Miller & Teddy knew the playing conditions could turn distractive with the ever present chatter of Ish in the background. Teddy knew it was going to be a long afternoon when Billy sank a 10 footer on #1 to halve the hole. An errant tee shot on 3 by TD put Billy up by 1 which I quickly brought back to even with a par on the next hole.

Billy goes up 1 on 6, TD back to even on 7. On 9 the golf gods deal me a bad break as my monster drive down the left side settles into a divot that left the top 1/4 of TD's ball visible. Hacked short, good chip but missed the 8 footer. Billy O turns the corner +1. Teddy evened things up on 10. On 12 Billy is looking at a speedy 25 footer down hill for birdie which he calmly hits right into the back of the jar. If he misses that put, he could easily roll off into the baranca. FUCK ME was all Teddy could muster as he missed his 12 footer. Billy O back up by 1. Teddy misses a 3 footer on 14, down 2 with 4 to play. Billy returns the favor by missing a 3 footer on 16. Teddy down 1 with 2 to play. Teddy steps up to 17 and hits a cannon shot straight down Broadway. Who can follow that?! Billy pushes his tee ball right. Teddy then pulls his 2nd left of green leaving himself an impossible up and down. Billy calmly takes his down hill, side hill 2nd shot just off the green. Teddy fails in his up/down. Billy calmly gets up and down for par. Good night Ireene. Billy slaps the door in my face shooting a 76 to send Teddy packing. Best of luck Billy.

The loser loved the day, hated the result, loved the cocktails on 19. God damn that D. Miller!

Jeff Dalis def. Kurt Allen, 2 & 1, Rio Hondo Golf Course. K. Allen had the advantage (or disadvantage) of having Joeby carry his bag wearing a full white Masters-style caddy jump suit (Joeby was making good on his second round bet with Allen). Despite the extra help, Ensalada was too tough.

Second Round

Dalis took an early 1 shot lead, but Hank came storming back to take a commanding 3 shot lead at the turn. Dalis got it to 2 down at the beginning of the back nine, but Hank regained his 3 shot lead as they completed the 13th hole. With Hank up 3 with 5 to go, it looked like the two-time Des(s)ert Classic Champion was a lock to go on to the Elite Eight.

On 14, Hank stroked but shot a 7 to Dalis's 5. Hank is now 2 up with 4 to go. On the 15th, Hank's lug nuts got real loose and his blow-up score gave Dalis another hole. 1 up with 3 to play. The 16th was the crucial hole. A par 3 with no strokes. Hank hit it tight and had an easy two-putt. Dalis hit his tee shot to the fringe and his lag putt left him a dangerous 3 foot slider to halve the hole. With ice in his veins, Dalis calmly sank the putt. Hank 1 up with 2 to go.

Darin Miller def. Dan Vrevalovich, 4 & 3, Skylinks Golf Course. A beautiful Tuesday morning at the newly renovated Skylinks golf course with a fellow member of Team Hogan. What a great way to start the day, was the thinking of Mr. Dan Vrebalovich and Mr. Darin
Miller.

After opening with an 8 on a 300 yd par 4, Darin woke up and was even par thru the next 8 holes putting Mr. Vrebalovich down 3 after 9. The key hole to the match was number 11, after hitting my drive OB Dan throttled his drive right down the middle, then hit a perfect layup and that's when it got ugly. For a second Darin thought he was playing G-Man (You know the new captain from the losing Ryder Cup team). Darin then told Dan if anyone asks how you lost the hole, tell them Darin had a gimmie for his 7. After closing Dan out, Dan worked a little on his swing and was even par for the finishing holes.

David Swatik def. Marty McSorley, 3 & 2, El Niguel Country Club. Thanks to Swingin Al, Swatty and Marty had a sweet hookup at El Niguel Country Club. The match was very competitive and Swatty was fortunate enough to close out Marty on 16, despite many threats from Marty that he would throw Swatty in the lake if he dare beat him.

Bill Ortgiesen def. Al Janc, 1 Up, El Niguel Country Club. Billy O and Al was close all the way through, with both of them going up by 1 or 2 throughout the round. They came to 18 with Billy O 1 up, and they halved the hole for Billy O to take the match.

Mike Bakos def. Chris Brown, 1 Up, Skylinks Golf Course. After weathering the wicked storms of late, CB and Bake finally found some time to tee it up in the Sweet 16. After numerous phone calls and emails, we decided to keep it somewhat local and play the newly re-done Skylinks in the LBC. On paper, this match had the makings of a barn burner to the finish. Our indexes were so close that no strokes were given to either side. It was a straight head to head, mano e mano match. Well, the indexes were correct as it came all the way down to good ole' #18.

CB started the day one up after #1 and got as far as 2 up on the front side. But, Bake battled back to AS through #7, but gave back 1 on #8 and finished 1 down on the front. For those who have not played this course, the greens are wicked and pin placements today truly tested our nerves. After the front nine was complete, we both had the feeling this was gonna go down to the wire. On the back, more of the same. There was one hole all day where one of us was completely out of the hole once we reached the green. Every hole was separated by one stroke and it usually came down to the final putt. CB was long and straight off the tee all day but was having trouble keeping his putts to two or less and Bake was yanking drives left but recovering well.

On #16, Bake went 1 up for the first time all day. The momentum seem to be shifting toward Bake and on #17, CB tatooed his drive (a little anger in it ) right down the middle, hit a great approach and finally two putted for par to win the hole. All Square going into #18.

CB went first and faded his drive into the trees and Bake stepped up and crushed one down the middle. CB's next shot hit a tree forcing him to hit his 3rd from about 90 yds out. CB's next shot was about 10yds short of the green, now lying 4. Bake hit his second shot to the back of the green, still about 90 feet away with 3 tiers in his way to the hole. Bake putted 1st and lagged it up to about 7 feet, now lying 3. CB flopped his shot up towards the pin to about 6 feet from the hole. With 7 nervous feet away, Bake had to make the putt for the win and bodda bing bodda bang. BAKE WINS, 1 Up

Ted Dodd def. Brent Griebenow, 5 & 4, Palos Verdes Country Club. On what could only be classified as a picture perfect golf day at PV Country Club, Brent Griebenow and Teddy squared off. Much to Teddy's dismay, Greibs' 18.5 adjusted to a 21 and Teddy was giving up 12.

Brent admitted that his nerves got the better of him early on. With a missed 3 footer on 1 and 4 he was down 3 right out of the gate. Brent battled back to 2 down after 6 but faltered on the way home. He did manage to make a gutty 6 footer on 9 to win the hole, turning the front side 3 down. Determined to make a charge on the back side, Griebs laced his drive right down the middle on 10. Unfortunately, he pulled left into the tall pines which led to a nasty 7- Down 4.

Griebs pulled to only 3 down with a steady par on 11 but the canyon and trees on 12 proved to be to much-down 4. A great up and down on 14 by Teddy ended the well played contest 5-4.

Kurt Allen def. Joe Anderson, 6 & 5, Palos Verdes Country Club. Joe and Kurt agreed ahead of time that the loser would carry the winners bag in the next round so there was plenty of extra added pressure.

Anderson (aka Hogan) arrived at PV Country Club around 6:10 with coffee in hand, a stroke advantage, and supposedly his "A" game in place. The match was played along with Teddy Dodd and Brent Griebenow.

On the first hole Joe went one up with 17 to play. Then, unfortunately, things went completely wrong. His putter failed him, his driver failed him, his wedges failed him, and his long irons were particularly unfriendly.

By the time they got to 13, Kurt was able to finish out the match. Final 18 hole scores: Kurt 79 and Joe 87. Hogan was gracious in his defeat and, as always, a true gentleman to play with.

Kurt graciously congratulated his good friend told him he looked forward to him looping in the quarterfinals and that he was immediately ordering a new Tour-Style thick leather bag and loading up with extra balls, several bottles of water and Gatorade, a six pack of beer, and perhaps a few random rocks.

Darin Miller def. Matt Dodd, 3 & 2, Aliso Viejo Golf Course. As Darin drove up to Matt's house in the morning, he was greeted with a fresh cup of coffee and a bag of donuts. It was at that moment Darin knew he was going to have a tough match. Matt knew his weaknesses on and off the fairway.

First Hole: Matt goes to the tee box wearing Ugg slippers, not sure of the strategy, but he looks good.

After losing the first hole Matt dons his golf shoes. Three holes later Matt is down four and drinking vodka and cranberry. Fast forward--Matt is down 6 going into the 13th. Darin decides to call Fro and Jimbo and let them know they bet on the wrong horse. Matt birdies, Darin pars and now is up 5 with 5 to play.

Matt pars, Darin pars, but Matt strokes and is now 4 up with 4 to play. Matt bogies, Darin bogies Matt strokes and wins the hole. 3 up with 3 to play Gator yells at Darin "come on Ninnis."

Darin becomes upset by the negative remark and Matt wins another hole: 2 up with 2 to play. Gator then has another Coors and calls Darin Ninnis again; Matt tees off and rips one down the right side. Darin tees his ball up and Ivie calls Darin Ninnis too. Darin flies 100 yards past Matt's ball right down the middle; Matt runs into some trouble and Darin puts his second shot on the green and pars the hole for the match.

Matt was a competitor to the end, but unfortunately he was playing D. Miller, not Ninnis!

Bill Ortgiessen def. Terry Nolan 1 up after 41 holes, Angeles National Golf Course. In in match that will go down in BGC history, Billy O' and Chewby slugged it out twice at Angeles National Golf Course, a beautiful and challenging Nicklaus track in Northern L.A. County.

The first round was an epic see-saw battle: two warriors leaving it all out on the course--not holding anything back. Fittingly, they finished 18 all square.

Both competitors realized that a mere putting contest or a single-hole playoff would not do justice to this match. They therefore agreed to schedule another 18 holes to decide the
true winner.

In the second 18, played on three weeks later, they again ended all square after 18 holes.

Four more playoff holes and still all square.

At this point, the sun was setting and both competitors could barely see their balls. Somehow in the bleak darkness, Billy 0’ finally managed to get the edge and eke out a victory on the 41st hole of their match.

Congratulations to both warriors for participating in this epic battle.

Marty McSorley def. David Gentry 5 & 4,Arroyo Trabuco Golf Course. Early Friday morning Marty picked up David in the hood (South Torrance) and proceeded down to Mission Viejo to a course Jimbo recommended. They arrived with great weather knowing there would be just the two of them playing. Nobody to heckle them or force them into pressure mounted miscues.

Upon arriving at the course they mentioned Jim's name in the pro shop. They received a dirty look and thought they heard a muttering of "freeloader." When they said they were going to pay, the staff were extremely surprised. Marty and Gents then proceeded out to the starter who was a pleasant man until they said they were friends of Jim Leonard. He scowled and said something about a "foot wedge" and walked away shaking his head.

They stood on the tee box of #1 under the assumption of a gentlemen's game and proceeded to acknowledge their handicaps, rules, and lack of necessary golf etiquette.

With David getting 15 strokes Marty knew he had better learn to manage his lack of game. They both missed easy putts on #1 to push and then Marty proceeded to be 1 up after 5. Marty was able to grab two more holes before the turn thanks to David posting a couple of snowmen. At that point they decided they needed beer and some sandwiches. This was a nice thought but the beer girl kept avoiding them, something to do with Jim Leonard "never tipping."

Marty started #10 playing his best golf and for the first six holes was lucky enough to be only 1 over during that stretch. David had some good holes and had some great shots with both managing par on #13 to David's advantage. The match was over after #15 so they decided to have a skins match for the finishing holes. Marty proceeded to play tin cup on #16, and #17 and #18 didn't treat his stiff, old body very well. David said something about Marty managing his handicap like Jim Leonard.

Al Janc def. Tim Walmer, 2 & 1, Four Seasons Aviara Golf Course. The much anticipated match between the former partners, ex-partners and future ex-partners went down at the beautiful Four Seasons Aviara golf course and it was a good one.

It started out with the good-natured banter between good friends and future combatants. The Kid went through his normal warm up routine of popping Advils, and stretching, and Al believes he might have caught a glimpse of "THE BELT." Walmer had it all working early taking a 2 up lead through 3 holes. Al caught his first break on hole 4 when the Kid 3 jacked on a birdie opportunity. Al then caught fire for the next 4 holes, taking a 2 up lead into the 9th. Just as things were looking golden for Big Al, he sliced his tee shot into the range and lost the hole. They made the turn with Al 1 up and it was a seesaw battle from there with nobody getting more
than 2 holes up.

Al made a clutch 7 foot par put on 16 to keep from going 2 down with two to play. Al was getting a stroke on each of the last two holes so as Walmer said "advantage Janc." Al won hole 17 with a 7, which brought them to the finishing hole all square.

There may be no tougher finishing hole in golf then #18 at Aviara, hitting into a nice head-wind with water running the length of the hole on the right an OB all the way up the left. With the pressure on, the Kid hit his approach shot OB. Al took advantage and went on to seal the deal.

After the match, Kid tried to dump Al to play with Bruk Vandeweghe in the Salisbury Beach Open, but Al beat him to the punch, dumping the Kid in favor of Leif Hanson. Both then realized they'd been off the AVP tour for 10 years and headed to the club house for a beer.

Richard Gallien def. Mike Ninnis in playoff, Los Verdes CC. On a bright sunny Monday morning, Mike Ninnis and Richard Gallien got down to serious BGC match play business. There was a slight off-shore breeze blowing at the verdant Los Verdes Country Club.

Richard started with his usual steady game, but was no match for Ninnis' early fireworks display. Ninnis, showcasing his new Taylormade 540 driver, was smoking, up by six through the first seven hole. Holding on for dear life, Richard reduced the deficit to five going into the turn.

Fast forward to hole fourteen, Ninnis holes a tricky ten footer to halve the hole and take a commanding four holes up with four to play lead.

Hole fifteen, the signature hole, downhill par 4, the lone pine tree guarding the green and the Pacific Ocean, Ninnis strokes, four holes up, four to play. Richard steps up and crushes a driver deep but ends up under a right side fairway tree. Ninnis's drive is down the middle with about 145 yards to the flagstick. Ninnis' second shot hits the front edge of the green, Richard's is pin high on the green far to the right. Richard two-putts for a four, Ninnis four-putts for a six,

Ninnis up by three with three holes to play.

Hole Sixteen, par 5, dogleg left along the cliff edge. No strokes. Richard steps up and buries another long drive, Mike N's drive is also good. Mike's second shot finds a fairway bunker to the left, Richard's second shot finds the green. Mike, needing to get close to the hole, cannot get out of the series of bunkers leading up to the green and concedes the hole. Richard lips out a fifteen foot eagle try, and settles for birdie.

Ninnis up by two with two to play.

Hole Seventeen, long par 3, no strokes. Richard cranks his tee shot almost pin high, twenty five feet to the left of the cup. Ninnis ends up short of the green by about ten yards. Mike's chip shot ends up about twelve feet from the promised land. Richard leaves his long putt about four feet short. Ninnis, needing to hole his putt for par, tries to ram it in, but slides the putt seven feet past the hole. Mike's come-backer misses and he has to settle for double bogey. Cruelly, Richard misses the four foot par putt, and taps in for bogey.

Ninnis up by one hole with one to play.

Hole Eighteen, long par 4, coming home, Ninnis strokes. With the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife, both player's push their tee shots 80 yards to the right off a large pine tree, Ninnis' shot is knocked down, Gallien's shot gets through to the fairway. Ninnis' second shot is good and ends up about 50 yards short of the green to the left. Richard's 220 yard approach shot ends up a few yards to the right of the green. Mike's pitch shot is shanked and goes only ten yards. Richard's chip shot slides fifteen feet past the hole. Mike's next chip shot doesn't quite make it to the green, stopping just short of the fringe. Mike's next chip shot gets to about ten feet of the cup. Richard two putts for a five, Mike two putts for a seven and the match is all square.

Playoff Time.

The two competitors flip a coin to decide who gets to select the starting playoff hole. Ninnis wins the toss and decides to go to hole number 2, par 4, Ninnis strokes. Richard crushes a three wood to 80 yards from the green. Ninnis' drive ends up in the right side fairway bunker. Ninnis' second shot finds the front right greenside bunker. Richard skulls his second shot over the green into the far greenside bunker. The pressure mounts. Ninnis takes three swings from inside the greenside bunker and makes it onto the dance floor in five strokes, two putts later he is in the hole for a seven. Richard gets out of the bunker in one, two putts for a five, nighty night, end of match.

Richard Gallien defeats Mike Ninnis in a sudden death playoff.

Gallien was quoted as he was leaving the course, "Ninnis gave me everything I could handle today, I salute his competitiveness and feel lucky I survived this battle." Richard then disappeared into the awaiting stretch limo filled with victory roses courtesy of Growing Wild.

Hank Bryan def. Jim Leonard, 4 & 2, Los Angeles CC. Having a 7:30 am tee time, Hank was anxiously awaiting the start of what was sure to be a tumultuous round of golf. Upon standing on the first tee, (white tee's) Jimbo informed him that this round was to be played from the blue's. When Hank immediately questioned this unilateral decision, Jimbo asserted that match play tournament rules specifically state all matches shall be played from the blue's. Unfortunately Hank did not review the tournament rules prior to playing so he unwillingly agreed to play the blue tees.

Dan Vrebalovch def. Matt Amberson, 1 up, Los Coyotes CC. A great match, tight throughout. On the front nine both Verbs and Ambo missed putts that would be considered gimmees during friendly rounds, emphasizing the importance of putting out, especially in pressure cooker situations like major BGC events. On the back nine, Verbs stayed one up until a major swing on 14 when Ambo seemed in control of the hole, Verbs sank a long putt for par from the fringe and Ambo who had been stellar with his short game all day couldn't get up and down for par. On 15 Ambo made par with some solid ball striking to go one down.

They pushed on 16 and then Verbs butchered 17, while Ambo was solid throwing in another par to even the match. However, the key to the match might have been the Kid's suggestion to Verbs on 17, when he was well out of the hole, to focus on making a five footer for an ugly double, to gain back some composure and rhythm, "put some whip cream on that shit" was how the Kid framed the suggestion. Verbs took his advice and made the putt. Heading to 18 with two holes to play, the match all square they both ran birdie puts just by the lip with tap in pars. On to no. 1 the par five, our last hole, we both layed up around 100 yards out, Verbs hit a sand wedge to 25 feet below the cup and Ambo caught too much turf and had to chip again from 10 feet short of the front edge, his next shot coming 15 feet short of the pin. With Verbs' putting stroke now in rhythm due to the Kid's suggestion, he canned the 25 foot bender to end the match. Good thing as Ambo rolled in his 15 footer for par to end a great day of golf. On this occasion, the West Coast prevailed.

A great match between two true gentleman of the game. Oh yes, it must point out that Ambo was hampered all day by the weight of Shark as Shark was in the process of throwing up a solid 92. Not much to feed off there."

Mike Bakos def. Chris Warshaw, 4 & 3, Trilogy Golf Club. Mike was straight and long off the tee all day and took a quick two hole lead. Houndy steadied out a bit and had a golden opportunity to make up ground on the 9th hole, a 185 yard Par 3 surrounded by water and a stroke hole for Houndy. Teeing off first, Bakos hit his in the drink. Houndy strongly considered the conservative strategy of laying up. However, the rest of the foursome made it clear that he would never hear the end of it if he laid up on a Par 3. Hence, Houndy boldly hit his ball in the water too and ended up pushing the hole. On the back nine, Houndy put some mild pressure on Bakos by paring the 10th. But Mike was too long and steady all day, putting a dagger in Houndy's hopes with a birdie on the 13th and then played out the match to a convincing 4 & 3 victory.

Jeff Dalis def. Jake Courtney, 3 & 2, Trilogy Golf Club. Jeff opened up a two hole lead with a birdie at one and a par on two. Yet after four holes the match was all square when Jake rubbed the sleep out of his yes, shook off the opening back to back snowmen and made par at three and net par at four. In the see-saw match Dalis found himself two down at the turn when he followed Jake into the water at the par three ninth. The pair both carded fives. Jake's net four was the winner. Undeterred Dalis charged back to even, winning ten with a seven and eleven with a six. (Two more eights for Jake) This battle drove home the premise that you are never out of a match play challenge. Dalis pulled away by shooting 40 on the back and Jake could not keep pace. Jake conceded a four foot putt to Jeff on the 16th green. Played under windy and cold conditions at Trilogy in Corona, the event drew a crowd of four and T.V. rating of .0000000002. Couples won $600,000. Dalis received a firm handshake and the continued respect from his Ryder Cup teammate.

Chris Brown def. Mike Perryman, 3 & 2, el Air CC. P-Man took CB to Bel-Air and got his ass kicked 2 and 1. The 7 strokes were too much to make up. P-Man started fast wit a birdie on 1, but C.B. got to 3 up through 10. P-Man battled back to 1 down through 15. CB made a huge save on the tough 17th to close it out. To his credit, C.B. was never out of any hole. CB credits Mac Davis (Country Singer, former 70s variety show host, and long-time Bel-Air member) in helping him overcome P-Man's home course advantage. Unknown whether Mac broke into "Don't Get Hooked on Me Baby" any time during the round.

Kurt Allen def. Joe Kennedy, 3 & 2, Los Angeles CC. Kurt and Jimbo arrived early at LA CC for their match to try and calm their nerves. When Joe arrived, they tried to get a quick bite to eat but were only given a cup of coffee and a quick reprimand to take their hats off in the lounge.

Kurt was 3 down after 7 and ready to throw in the towel and call it a day when Joe, who stroked on the hole, lost his ball on #8 par 5 off the drive...giving Kurt his first win. By the time they got to the 10th tee Joe was only up by 1. Kurt gained new energy with a quick dog in his stomach. A great chip on number 12 squared the match for Kurt. The next hole Joe had another stroke but had bad luck when his ball gained mud clumps, making it hard to stay on the green. For the first time in the match Kurt was finally up, but there were many more holes to go with Joe stroking almost all the way in. On the number one handicap hole Kurt made a prayer up and down to go up by two. He finally had my rhythm and ended the match at the same time Hank finished off Jimbo.