Match Play

Terry Nolan def. Marty McSorley, 1 up, Virginia Country Club.
After almost a year, it came down to one final match yesterday: Marty vs. Chewby for the 2006 World Match Play Championships.

The finals was moved from Empire Lakes (which was overseeding) to beautiful and challenging Virginia Country Club.

The President was on hand to monitor the match.

Marty made it to the final by beating Kid, P-Man, Hank and then Joeby in the semifinals.

Chewby advanced by beating Shark, Ninnis, Griebs and Hemp.

Both men have been playing the best golf of their careers this year and both had personal best low indexes coming into the match. Chewby was giving Marty four strokes.

Marty momentarily considered his significant size advantage and thought about stuffing Chewby in the first tee ball washer, claiming victory, and heading back to San Jose. But he showed considerable restraint and decided it was best to determine the Champion on the golf course.

Marty won the coin flip and hit the first tee shot at approximately 10:38 a.m.

The finals did not dissapoint. It was tight action all the way, with neither man ever leading by more than one stroke. Just look at this see-saw action through the first 15 holes:

#1 (Chewby up one)
#2 (Even)
#3 (Marty up one)
#4 (Even)
#5( Marty up one)
#6 (Even)
#7 (Even)
#8 (Chewby up one)
#9 (Even)
#10 (Chewby up one)
#11 (Even)
#12 (Even)
#13 (Marty up one)
#14 (Even)
#15 (Even)
#16 (Chewby up one)

Both men were grinding out every hole, looking for their first BGC victory.

So Chewby is up one with two holes to go. #17 is a 400 yard par 4 that plays slightly up hill and is a stroke hole for Marty. Both men hit solid drives, with Marty a good 30 yards by Chewby. Chewby needs a solid approach shot to secure his victory, but the tension starts to get to him and he hits it fat and well short and right of the green.

Marty is now smelling blood and stuffs his own approach to within 10 feet. A weak effort by Chewby on his pitch shot and WE ARE ALL EVEN GOING INTO THE 18TH.

The 18th at Virginia is a very unique golf hole. A 544 par 5 with the green sunk down a steep hill so that your approach shot is typically blind. No strokes were being given.

Marty tees off first and hits a long bomb, but pulls it left into the trees. Chewby shakes off his problems from the last hole and hits one of his best drives of the day, right down the pipe.

Marty has played Virginia many times (something Chewby was worried about) and on this hole he used this course knowledge to his advantage. Instead of playing his second shot back out into the 18th fairway, he was able to hammer his ball down the adjoining 1st fairway setting himself up for a simple and clear 90 yard third shot to the green.

Marty's strategic play was beginning to rattle Chewby as he started to question why he ever agreed to play Virginia. The result was what can only be described as some very shaky golf shots by Chewby under the most severe pressure. A flubbed second shot, leading to a third shot that left him 125 yards shot and a fourth shot that left him 10 feet short of the green.

So Marty is now clearly in the driver seat. Marty, who has lost in two previous BGC tournament playoffs (as well as the Stanley Cup finals) is a mere 90 feet from victory.

But pressure goes both ways and Marty chunks his third shot and hits his fourth shot short of the green.

The game is back on. Both men are stumbling in, battered and bruised. But when all is said and done, after 17 plus holes, they lie dead even, both just off the green.

Chewby's chip shot is up a steep slope in front of the green. He takes a deep breath and hits the most clutch shot of his career--a terrific chip to around 3 feet.

Now its Marty's turn. Marty is typically a reliable chipper. But pressure can turn soft hands into hands of stone. He skulls it and it skips across the green into the rough on the far side.

So now Marty faces an impossible downhill chip to keep his dream alive. To Marty's credit, he hit an absolutely perfect chip shot that appeared to be tracking to the hole all the way and just missed the edge of the cup.

So Chewby needs a three-feet putt for victory. He gets it done, hitting it dead center to take the World Match Play Championships.

Congratulations to both men for an exciting, well-played final. They both showed considerable game and sportsmanship throughout.

Chewby earned his first victory and is a most deserving Champion. He earns $300 for his victory.

Marty gets $150 for his effort and with the remaining money from the entries, the BGC is making a donation to the Richstone Center.

Marty McSorley def. Joe Anderson, 3 & 2, Palos Verdes Country Club. At the football draft Tuesday night, not a single BGC member was willing to back Marty in this match. Joeby, who plays PVCC every Thursday, was considered a virtual lock on his home course. Marty's index has also fallen in recent months, so he wasn't giving up the big strokes. In fact, D. Miller was trying to get a bet down with Marty getting 3-1 odds and no one bit. But golf is never predictable and Marty's game has improved tremendously over the past year. Marty wins it 3 & 2.

Terry Nolan def. Gregg Hemphill, 8 & 7, Palos Verdes Country Club. Chewby has been playing some stellar golf recently and Hemp had the misfortune to catch him on one of his best days. Combined with Hemp being off his game and giving up 11 strokes, this one was a blood bath. Chewby had net birdies on 6 of the first 11 holes. The match was over right after the turn. Chewby wins 8 & 7. Ouch.

Gregg Hemphill def. Darin Miller, 2 & 1, Strawberry Farms Golf Club. It was a hot muggy day at the beautiful Strawberry Farms. The battle started early as D Miller tried to lobby to play the white tees (all of
5800 yards). Clearly that wasn't going to fly, so we marched to the blue tees.

The first hole was halved, and that would be one of only 3 holes halved on the day, the last one being on number 7. Hemp wins the last two holes on the front nine, to take a two up lead. D Miller comes harging back with a
net birdie out of the fairway bunker on 10 and a hip in for bogie on 11 to tie the match. D. Miller loses 12, but wins 3 and 14 to go 1 up.

On 15, a short par 3 he knocks it 20 feet from he flag and Hemp knocks it 15 feet. D Miller gets a bit aggressive and leaves a 3 footer. Hemp 2 putts for par and D misses. Match all even on 16 tee. A birdie secures a win for Hemp on 16. On the par 3 17th, Hemp puts it on the green 20 feet away, putting the pressure on Miller. He pulls it long left of the green. Now faces with a tough downhill itch to a back pin, Miller executes a series of chips, to secure the victory for Hemp.

Couple of beers in the clubhouse later, all is good.

Marty McSorley def. Hank Bryan, 5 & 3, Los Angeles Country Club. It was an outstanding day as I pulled into the prestigious LACC. I was met by Hank and we grabbed a stiff cocktail and headed straight for the first
tee.

We were met by Joe Kennedy our host and Joe Anderson who from this point forward is now known as "the sandbagger." We were assigned two caddies and proceeded to make our bets. It was decided that it definitely should be Joe Kennedy and I (Team Hogan) against the lowly (team palmer) pair. Hank is already showing signs of despair, especially after a few -- "Palmer in the water" heckles.

We tee off with Hank trying a new stance and swing. After two holes Hank is down two and pushing it hard right. On three Hank has a great drive and brings it to down one. On the par 3 # four I hit a nice tee shot for a par and am now up two again. On 5 I go up three with Hank now playing along the left side. I then proceed to try every tough shot imaginable to end the front nine up one.

We make the turn and decided that our caddie needed a cart. This poor guy was laboring around the course (his limp was much worse than mine). He couldn't get up to the green to even make a read. We decided that our host
would have to give mouth-to-mouth if things didn't improve.

Hank and I after chugging our beers decided to bet dinner on the back nine. How much more motivation do I need. Hank still was having trouble with his driver and I settled down to win 5 and 3.

We then proceeded to the clubhouse for a few beers. Now Joe K picks a table right next to this unbelievable BBQ that the club is having. I am now extremely hungry and distracted. I bug Hank for the dinner I am owed. Hank actually has to fly and Joeby said he had a family obligation (I later found out he went to the track) so Joe Kennedy is kind enough to stick around and feed me.

I want to thank Hank, he didn't have a great day on the course but was still a pleasure to play with. I also want to thank Joe Kennedy for our round at such a nice course and for dinner. Now Joeby my next opponent who
was a 7 and is now a 13 or something, who was on in regulation all day, who would have easily been in the 70's if he had putted at all, BULLSHIT.

By the way Jimbo I did post my 46-41. I stated the 41 because I didn't hammer a bunch of balls OB after the 15th hole.

Joe Anderson def. Joe Kennedy 5 & 4, Los Angeles Country Club. I'll go ahead and write Joeby's match report.

Waxing.

That should cover it.

Terry Nolan def. Brent Griebenow, 2 & 1, Strawberry Farms Golf Club. Griebs went up one after 2. I won holes three and four to go one up. We halved holes 5 and 6. I won holes 7 and 8 to go 3 up. We halved holes 9 and 10. I win hole 11 to go 4 up.

I'm 4 up with 7 to go and I am feeling good. Griebs strokes on 12, 13, and 14. He goes net par, par, par, par, par on 12 thru 16 to cut my lead to plus 1. Griebs has found his game.

Griebs strokes on 18, so after watching my lead slip to one after 16, I feel I need to win hole 17 or I'm looking at a bad collapse. Short par 3, my kind of hole. I knock it on and two putt. Griebs tee shot goes right, he chips back across the green and misses his par from the fringe. Match over no need for hole 18.

Final four, whose coming to the party?

Joe Anderson def. Jeff Dalis, 6 & 5, Rio Hondo Golf Course. In what may have been a Ryder Cup preview, Palmer Team member Joeby delivered a Tiger Woods/Stephen Ames type ass kicking to Hogan member Ensalada in the last of the Match Play sweet sixteen matches--6 & 5. This ties the record for the worst Match Play beat-down in BGC history. Dalis, who made the finals last year, just didn't have his game today.

John Kennedy def. Greg Snider, 4 & 3, Los Angeles Country Club. Kennedy versus Snider was played this afternoon on the South Course at LACC to avoid the recently punched greens on the North. No range time, no
practice putts, no caddies (marching downtown.). Snidey would hand over 14 strokes and off we went.

Timing is everything. Snidey was coming off what sounded like a raging party on Sunday for his little (one year old) daughter. A little hung over, and with a party wound over his eye, he soldiered on. I didn't ask too many
questions.

With holes #1 and #9 being the only two on the front side where Snidey wouldn't be gving up strokes, he hoped to get off to fast start. His drive on #1 found the fairway rough on #2. Back over the trees, he returned to #1
just short of the green. I hit both fairway and green in regulation, two putted and started with a solid par. Snidey chipped on but left himself a 10 foot slider. It didn't go down. JK up one.

Par/Par on two, JK up two. Par/Par on three, JK up three.

The shanks snuck in on the par five fourth and I gave one back. JK up two and there we stayed until #7 when the shanks found Snidey. JK back to up 3. Lost ball for Snidey on #8. JK up four.

Back came Snidey cutting it to down two after #10. But that would would be as good as it got for Snidey. After rolling in a twenty footer on #13 to save the half, and another twenty footer on #15 to win the hole...it was
all over 4 & 3 after #15. JK moves on.

Of course Snidey was a true gentleman in defeat.

Marty McSorley def. Mike Perryman, 4 & 3, Lost Canyons Golf Club. We met at Terry Nolan's house early Sunday am. and proceeded over to El Segundo to pick up Noonan, I mean Ninnis. Shortly after we left the haze of the Sewage plant Ninnis quickly informed Terry that Lost Canyons was designed by Terry's nemesis Pete Dye. Ninnis also informed us that he lit up the Pete Dye course in the desert. I commented that I felt P-man would rush in at our 9:20 scheduled start time with no warm-up.

We pulled in to the battle ground only to see P-man warming up 50 minutes before tee-time. We headed out to the range and hit balls until we felt good about our games especially Ninnis at the chipping green).

On #1 we all had our drives in the short stuff, I felt great because I was only 65 out. I then proceeded to come up short and attempted two flop shots that flopped. P-man birdies the hole and gives me a long day feeling.

On #2 P-man par's the hole while I bogie but with my 16 strokes we push. I proceed to go up 3 to #7 when after a descent drive I hack a wedge right which ends up on the cart path. At this point serious discussion breaks
out about nearest point of relief. My nearest point was a fall off right from the edge of the cart path into a deep creek. With the red stakes being a foot back from the cart path before and after the fall off, so now
where do I drop. P-man felt that I should drop off the side of the cart path because with a straight line drawn from the stake position the creek is in play. I felt that the stakes represented that everything on that side of the cart path is a lateral hazard. Terry gave us a ruling that I could drop to the side of the creek in the foot of dirt and weeds on the opposite side of the cart path, I am now only 2 up. On 9 I'm on in two, P-man drains a chip from just off the green for par while I 3 jack from 12 feet for another push. P-man lets me know that the door is opening.

We tee off on the back and I have a Marshall come up to us and tell us that everything not white staked is to be played as red stakes (this because they forgot to put some red stakes up and to help preserve the course).
Terry and P-man quickly say that we won't and can't play the course that way. I strongly disagree and feel that we need to follow the rules of the course. Being a higher handicap an abundance of red stakes is an advantage
while a lack of red stakes should be a big disadvantage. We get to the par 5 #13 with me up by three. P-man and I have good drives with Ninnis on strong suicide watch by this time. I then go for it with a 5 wood, we are not sure if it flew far enough to reach the green. P-man tells me to hit another and I promptly tell him that there is intended red stakes and that is the rule of the course. After a discussion with Terry (no help) I hit another, not happy and not sure as to how this will play out. As we approach the green my first ball is lying on the green in good position.

We finish our match 4 and 3, and decide to finish play at a better pace. I attempt to work on my draw and go triple, par, triple and immediately get the Jim Leonard handicap management abuse form Terry and Noonan (I mean Ninnis).

I do want to thank P-man, not only was it a fun round, he wanted me to play well and always brings out the best in what my golf game has to offer. The only bet we had was that whoever won the other guy had to caddie for the winner the rest of his tournament.

Terry Nolan def. Mike Ninnis, 4 & 3, Lost Canyons Golf Club. Almost two years after Ninnis' career upset victory over me in the 2004 Ryder cup, I finally get to play him in a meaningful match again. We play at Lost Canyons with P-Man and Marty.

On the way to the course Ninnis tells me this is a Pete Dye lay out and after playing well in the Desert Classic on another Pete Dye course Ninnis is feeling good about things knowing I hate most Dye courses.

Ninnis goes up 1 after 3 holes. After number 3 the Pete Dye factor kicks in. As I hit it down the middle and on to the greens, Ninnis finds every bad hop and tough lie on the course. I win 5 straight holes and Ninnis is cussing out the course. I'm 4 up after 8 and Ninnis is in serious trouble (mentally and in the match). We play even the next 7 holes and I close him out 4 and 3.

It was a great day of golf and a pleasure playing with the other 3 guys. I hate to admit it but I did like the course and might have to ease up a little on my Pete Dye bashing.

Darin Miller def. Chris Frohoff, 3 & 2, Heritage Palms Country Club. Under sunny skies with a strong cool wind blowing, we meet at Pop Fro's club Heritage Palms. First stop the pro shop to check indexes and C. Fro gets 1 a side from D Mill. First hole CFro misses a 10ft putt for birdie and goes one up. On 2nd hole CFro misses 20ft putt for eagle, birdies and is up 2 after 2. 3rd hole is halved with bogeys and from there the long wand takes over. DMill manages 3 pars and 1 birdie and beats the former club champion and player of the year 3 and 2. Feeling sympathetic after the match CFro is treated to Meyers rum pina coladas and frozen margaritas by the pool. The moral of the match--Cfro is not fond of the long wand and should throw it in the pond.

Hank Bryan def. Matt Amberson, playoff, Reflection Bay Golf Course. Ambo and Hank finally got their chance to play the much anticipated match. Since scheduling was very difficult, the BGC chairman let us play our match during the Las Vegas Open. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, Hank moves on.

Gregg Hemphill def. Brett Coordt, 1 up, Strawberry Farms Golf Course. While a good majority of the BGC was in Vegas, two of the unlucky guys who could not attend decided to at least have a little fun and play their 3rd round match. The day started out with a fresh wind and a few hours of light rain.

On the first hole, burdened with the though of getting 26 shots, BC tees off with his trusty vintage 1985 3 wood (renamed the sword because he lives and dies by it) and defying the laws of physics, hits it 90 degrees right, onto the putting green. Needless to say he loses the hole. The next few holes go back and forth so that the match is all square going into 6, when BC proceeds to lose 3 straight going into nine. The par 5 9th is a tough driving hole and BC pulls out the sword and rips it down the middle with his first two shots. Getting two shots, he makes a nice bogie to turn 2 down. Again, facing a brutal into the wind, tight tee ball on 10, he slashes the sword to the middle of the fairway. Hemp follow suit with the driver.

BC then hits it in the bunker, Hemp hits the green. BC puts it to 15 feet. Hemp 2 putts for par. BC then gets a little aggressive on the first putt and slams it 6 feet by and misses the comeback. A critical break of the momentum. On the par 3 11th, Hemp hits the green and BC pulls it into the garbage left. 4 down through 11. On the 600 yard uphill into the wind par 5 12th Hemp, with BC getting 2 diapers, hits it 3 inches from OB right and BC pumps the sword down the middle. Hemp punches out, BC tops it 50 yards, then swords it down the middle. With Hemp on the green in 4, BC pulls his iron way, way left. From there he blows it over the green in 5. Now facing an almost certain defeat if he can’t get up and down for the win, he calls his shot. He has a downhill bump and run chip out of wet rough to a green sloping away and knocks it to two feet. Victory BC. On 13 BC hits another sword down the middle, the on his second shot stripes a nice 2 iron just short (what 27 handicapper carries a 2 iron blade, let alone can get it airborne), chips up and makes 4 for 2. 2 down.

On 14, getting 2 shots, the sword gets him, and he hits in garbage right. Hemp gets up, garbage left. BC drops, steps on his sword, garbage right again. Hemp hits it left of the green. BC hits his 5th shot just into the rough long. Hemp flops it up close for bogie and BC make a nice two putt to halve the hole. BC still 2 down. 15, a par three down wind BC hit a nice iron 12 feet, par. One down now and momentum in his direction. On 16th par 5 BC cuts himself twice with the sword and Hemp makes birdie. 2 down with 2 to go. On the par 3 17th tee, Hemp figuring a par will tie the hole and win the match put it 25 feet away. BC steps up and knocks is 25 feet short of the green. He doesn’t feel the chip, so he putts it, but leaves it on the fringe 20 feet short. Hemp 2 putts. Now facing elimination, he nuts up and drains it with a Tiger like fist pump and roar of celebration. 18 at Strawberry is a demanding hole, but BC is feeling good with his two diapers in hand. But the sword gets him again, garbage left. Hemp puts it down the middle. BC then hits an incredible lay up shot to 75 yards and Hemp hits the green 25 feet away, and thinks that should seal the match. BC then nuts up again and knocks it 5 feet for a certain bogie net birdie. With a playoff staring Hemp in the face, he makes the birdie to win the match.

Rollercoaster match that could have gone either way that was entertaining until the last putt.

Mike Perryman def. Mike Bakos, 4 & 3, Rio Hondo Golf Course. P-Man and Bakos teed off at the crack of dawn at Rio Hondo this morning in the second round of the Match Play tournament.

P-Man started the match with a 300 yard bomb right down the middle on the short opening par 4 hole. He then proceeded to double bogey the hole. Bakos is 1 up.

Sensing he has an advantage and in order to get in P-Man's head, Bakos decides to remind P-Man that he lost to CB last year and that Bakos then beat CB in the next round.

P-Man immediately raises the touchy black ball issue and his belief that one of the black balls probably came from Bakos.

While your average guys would have been be trading blows at this point, the two competitors quickly realized that they couldn't let these trivial issues interfere with the important match at hand.

The two battled on with P-Man eventually emerging victorious 4 & 3.

And here we see the great beauty of the BGC Match Play Tournament. While the two men perhaps started off not the closest of friends, by the end of their battle they were slapping backs and hoisting beers at the 19th hole.

The two Mikes even arranged to drive together to tomorrow's Players Championship--something that might have been unthinkable a mere 18 holes ago.

Joe Kennedy defeats Ted Dodd in 2 hole playoff, Los Angeles Country Club. LACC North, 8:30am, JK getting 12 strokes from the tips, Attested by Hank and MD. Here's the highlights....

After battling traffic from the South Bay, Teddy arrives with one thing on his mind, the famed locker room Bloody Mary, please. After a steep pour with extra Tabasco Teddy yanked his first tee shot into the 18th fairway. JK follows suit into the left rough. As the vodka settled into his bloodstream, Teddy smoothes out a par on the first to go one up after JK doubles. On three, Teddy goes deep, finding his first fairway, center-cut. JK's drive pinballs through the trees on the right, settling up IN THE TREE. After 5 minutes of throwing pine cones trying to rattle the ball loose, JK takes the unplayable, settles for another double, and is back to one down.

Teddy has settled in. He goes two up after four, three up after five. With nothing but ice left in his cup, the tide begins to turn against Teddy on the six. Beginning with a par, JK starts a five hole turnaround that sees him up two after 10. In what was probably the defining moment of the match, upon asking Teddy what he would like to drink at the turn, he replies..."Gatorade." Regardless, things begin to turn back in his favor as he gets it back to even by 12. On 13, Teddy goes back to one up and holds that lead through 15 as JK gets up and down after a 90 yard "tee shot" on the 140 yard, par three to salvage the half. All square, three holes to play, JK getting strokes all the way home.

No blood on 16 as both players salvage bogey. Teddy leads off on 17 and pulls his drive onto the 2nd fairway. JK's best drive of the day settles center-cut. Teddy scrambles for bogey while JK rolls in a slippery downhill 7 footer for bogey to regain the lead, one up. On 18, JK's drive miraculously gets through the trees on the left but finds the fairway bunker on the 1st. Teddy finds the right rough but is sitting up with a clear shot at the green. Pressure mounting, JK plays up the first fairway leaving him with a full pitching wedge in. After waiting for the group on one to tee off, JK pitches on and stares up a 40 footer while Teddy's efficient pitch leaves him with an uphill 4 footer for par. JK three putts, Teddy makes par, all square after 18.

It's decided we'll play a two-hole playoff, the 10th staight-up and the 16th with JK getting a stroke. The tenth is uneventful as both players bogey. Teddy, trying to repeat his 300 plus drive on the 16th during the round, pulls his drive into the deep woods on the left. JK, apparently thinking we were still playing the tenth, promptly pushes his drive back onto that fairway on the right. Teddy finds his drive and decides on an aggressive line through a small window towards the hole. He gets it out clean but catches a branch along the fairway. JK scrambles for double. Teddy leaves himself with a five footer for bogey to extend the match. Teddy rolls it past and JK moves on.

One final note, to add insult to injury, the team of MD/Hank took JK/Teddy down three ways on the back to win the betting. Losing the match is one thing, having to buy your little brother lunch on the way home is another.

Jeff Dalis def. David Gentry, 1 up, Wilshire Country Club. In one of the many Presidents Day matches, Dalis and Young Gentry duked it out on the hallowed links of Wilshire Country Club playing alongside Gator and Snider. Ensalada, a finalist in last year's Match Play Championships was determined to win the event this year.

Perhaps suffering from the nervousness of the Private Country Club atmosphere (and perhaps regretting his decision to switch the match from Rio Hondo to Wilshire), Gents got off to a slow start and by the time they reached the turn, Ensalada was 4 up. The tenth hole was more of the same, and Gents found himself down by 5. Finally, the beverages obtained at the turn started to kick in and Gentry's lug nuts tightened. He got it down to 4 up. Then a strong par whittled it down to 3 up. Alas, the heroic comeback was not to be though as Dalis continued his steady play and ends up winning the match on the 15th hole.

A fine time was had by both competitors.

Greg Snider def. Walter Tomlinson, 1 up, Wilshire Country Club. Again at Wilshire Country Club who’s greens are famous for running true and fast weren’t soo good this time, fresh off a good hole punch 3 weeks ago would dictate the final outcome. I had my work cut out for me giving Gator 13 shots and a very short course, I need my “A” game and then some to knock off Gator.

Bumpy greens and all we settled in for a great day of golf. We half the first 5 holes and then Gator takes over and closes me out with 4 straight wins. He shots 42 to my 40 and things were looking very grim for me. At the turn I gather myself and settle down and win the next 4 holes to draw the match all even. Gator goes up one and then I bring it back to even with just 3 holes left and Gator strokes on all of them. I leave myself a tricky 30 foot downhill putt on 16 and proceed to 3 jack and lose the hole. Down 1 with 2 to play. Gator tugs his drive short and left on 17, I rip a 3 wood in perfect position. 155 yards uphill with slight wind in our face, Gator sitting in perfect shape 85 yards out for his 3rd shot, I give my 7 iron and smooth swing only to have it balloon up and come up short in a deep faced front bunker. Gator hits what we all think is a perfect shot, game over, but somehow it spins back off the front of the green. I hit a great sand shot to about 6 feet and make the putt. All even going into the long par 4, I hit a career drive right down the middle and long. Gator steps up and gives it a might swing and pulls it into the trees and has to punch out. I am standing over a 195 yard shot into a slight breeze with water all the way around the green, so I close my eyes and swing as pure as I can and watch as my ball sail toward the green finishing just off about 15 feet away pin high. Gator calmly gets up and knocks his pitch shot to about 6 feet, remember the greens aren’t there best, I two putt and just know that Gator will make this to force extra holes, he hit a great putt that jumped off line at the last minute. Snidee wins 1 up.

A great time by all, I only wish the greens could have been in better shape for the group.

Darin Miller def. Chris Carico, 3 & 2, The Links at Victoria. Located in the rolling hills of Carson, California lies a true gem, The Links at Victoria. This majestic track was designed by none other than Sir. Nipsy Russell. Unlike less exclusive clubs like Big Canyon and PV Country Club, The Links at Victoria offers a true test of one's golfing
ability. So sets the stage for the Carico-Miller match.

Cree naturally starts out gross birdie net eagle, Miller down one. Match is all even after 2 and we make the turn with Miller 2 up. Chris is hitting the ball well and I start to fell some pressure as we half #10 but Chris wins #11 with out strokes. 1 up with Chris stroking 6 out of the next 7 holes I feel the pressure. I have to win the next hole and luckily win because of a 3-jack by Cree, up 2.

Teeing off on a par 3 that Cree strokes on I pull my tee shot left Cree hits into the barranca. We find his ball and Cree swings and manages to move his ball 3 feet, still in the barranca I decide to go to my ball forty yards away and off the green. Cree finds his ball again hits it out ricochets of my back 3 feet from the hole he makes the putt. I make 4 so Cree wins. Now I'm only 1 up with 4 to play, my back hurting and Cree strokes on all but one of the remaining holes.

I started thinking about a comment Cree made to me about his game. Cree actually credited Houndy with his improvement. Remembering that comment put me at ease and Cree's next tee shot went OB. I win the hole and birdie the next to close Cree out. An absolutely fun match were both players played good enough to win.

Chris Frohoff def. Dan Vrebalovich, 1 up, Skylinks Golf Course. Seems like almost all of the early round matches are going down to the wire. Yesterday's match was no exception as C. Fro defeated a very game Verbs 1 up at Skylinks in the LBC.

C. Fro now goes on to face the winner of the Carico/D. Miller match which goes down tomorrow morning at Victoria.

Richard Gallien def. Jake Courtney, 3 & 2, Rolling Hills Country Club. Richard Gallien and Jake teed it up this morning at Rolling Hills Country Club. A spot in the sweet sixteen on the line. Here are the facts:

Tee Time: Crack of dawn. First light. Really Fuckin' early.
Length of Match: 2 hours 40 minutes. (must be a BGC record).
Attire: Jake is a fashionable Bobby Jones shirt. Richard in head to toe USC garb.
Witnesses: None.
Person happy there were no witnesses: one.
Pars and Birdies: Richard 12, Jake 2.
Average driving distance: Richard 265 Jake 219.
Greens in regulation: Richard 13 Jake 2.
Bounce backs: Richard 3, Jake 2.
Sand Saves: Richard 0 Jake 0.
Booze consumed: none. (clearly a factor in this match)
Donuts from Hot n' Tot: Jake 3 Richard 0.
Lost balls: Richard 0 Jake 5.
Total Gross Score: Richard 76 Jake 96
Net scores: Richard 72 Jake 74
Final Result of Match: Richard wins 3 and 2.

Gregg Hemphill def. Chris Brown, 3 & 2, Strawberry Farms Golf Club. It was an absolutely perfect day for golf at Strawberry Farms in the OC yesterday. Two matches went off side by side at 8:30 am. The tee time was at 8 am but the traffic was unusually heavy on the 405 and CB was a bit late and stressed. The starter put a few groups ahead of us and CB made it to the first tee without any warm up.

Hemp gave CB 9 strokes in the match, and even with a stroke on #2 Hemp was quickly 2up. With CB stroking on #3 & 4 he squared the match with net birdies on those two holes. CB also stroked on #5 but had a double to Hemp's par and he was 1 down again. With no strokes given on #6 through #8, Hemp was solid with three straight pars while CB went double, bogey, double. Hemp is 4 up after 8 holes.

The 10th was halved with pars and on the par 3 11th Hemp's par bettered CB's bogey. Hemp is 4 up.

It looked like the match was in the refrigerator when CB did not take advatange of a stroke on #12 and with a double bogey it looked like the nail was being driven into the coffin. CB is now down a whopping 5 holes with 6 to play.

But then with a bomb of a drive and a stellar approach shot on #13 CB nailed the put for a natural birdie and was 4 down with 5 to play.

On #14, after an uncharacteristic miscue off the tee with a 3 iron by Hemp, CB was down 3 with 4 to play. Uh oh! Can you feel it?

On the par 3 #15, CB hit a great tee shot and drained a 10'-12' put to narrow the gap to 2 down with 3 to play. The momentum has clearly switched!

Just when you thought that maybe you just might be witnessing another "Ninnis", Hemp proved to be just too tough and with his par on the par 5 16th to CB's double bogey.

Joe Anderson def. Brent Frohoff, 1 up, Stawberry Farms Golf Club. Joe and I played along side the Hemp/CB match at Strawberry Farms.

Having to give Joeby six strokes, I knew I was in for a battle. However, due to a recent case of the shanks that Joe was battling I figured I was due for my first match play victory ever.

#1, All Square #2 Joeby 1up. #3 All Square. #4 Joeby 1up. #5 Joeby 2up. #6 Joeby 1up. #7 Joeby 1 up. #8 All Square. #9 Fro 1up and my first lead of the day.

#10 Fro 1up. At the par 3 11th Joeby's bogey 4 beats my double bogey 5 and my 4 putt. All Square. Joeby takes advantage of the next 2 stroke holes on #12 & #13 and we are still All Square.

Now I've got to at least win the 17th Hole because Joeby strokes on the par 4 18th and I have not seen any shanks yet!

Now on the 163 yard par three 17th I hit a 7 iron right over the flag (the pin is back right) just over the green in the first cut. Joeby hits his shot over the green to the left and is now facing a very difficult chip because their is a ridge in the green between him and the pin. He chips the ball and it catches the ridge and is left with a 15 footer for par. I have a pretty straight downhill putt and it almost goes in but it rolls 2 and a half feet past. I am thinking that I am golden. I should know better than to think that in match play. Joeby buries his putt....I am rattled and missed my putt badly! Joeby is 1up with one to go.

On to the 18th with Joeby getting a stroke. This hole is very difficult and a double bogey could happen to anyone here. It's only 385 yards and the smart play is to lay up with a 3 or 5 wood because if you hit it too far the fairway narrows and there is a revine before the green. So Joeby hits a crappy 5wood about 185 yards off the tee. I need a birdie so I take a driver and hit it about 260 down the left side of the fairway. Now Joeby is left with a 200 yard approach shot over a revine with death valley to the left of the green and a cliff with waterfalls to the right. I am thinking playoff at this point. But here comes Joe. I am standing at my ball that is 125 yards from the pin so I can't really tell if he has pulled a 5 wood or some sort of a rescue club out of his bag. Joeby steps up and flushes it just past the flag to about 8 feet. Shot of his life! Game, Set, Match.

Mike Ninnis def. Kurt Allen, 1 up, Palos Verdes Country Club. In a match that had more hype than the Super Bowl, Kurt and Mike teed off at PVCC on a breathless sunrise to see who would precede to Round III in match play.

Allen, no stranger to match play, was the heavy favorite due to home course advantage and Ninnis's propensity for losing substantial leads in match play. Little did Kurt know that in his youth Mike had snuck on this course more often than Ack hits Fritz's......

It was tit-for-tat for the first six holes, when Kurt caught fire to shoot two under for the next five holes to take a commanding four hole lead after Ninnis (a la Joeby - Dessert Classic) hozzled a nine iron dead right into Via Palomino. Down four, shoes blistering, and no cocktail cart in sight, things looked bleak for Ninnis. But consecutive pars on 12 and 13 narrows Kurt lead to two.

After two pushes, Ninnis faces going dormie on 16, but stcks his approach shot to go down one with two to go. Mike steps to the tee box on 17 and blisters his drive 191 yards, dead center. Kurt snap hooks into the canyon. Its even.

The 18th.

Ninnis, fighting off demons from match play past, rips his drive 201 yards down the right side. Allen answers 260 plus, dead center. But his approach shot is long, his chip just short, leaving the door open for Ninnis if he can two putt from 15 feet. Has anybody ever seen Ninnis two
putt 15 feet? Knees rattling, hands shaking, he lags to two feet....then goes center cup for his first match play victory.

Chris Carico def. Mike Dodd, 1 up, Wilson Golf Course. The long-awaited battle of Agnes Road happened 10 days ago. For some perspective, the two opponents grew up together, separated for 30 years by a 3-foot fence. The number of competitions between the two numbers in the thousands. In the early years, the match up was tag and orange fights. After a few broken windows, the opponents progressed to night-time wiffle ball lit by flood lights. When they were old enough to play organized sports, the match ups were basketball with two-brother teams squaring off: MD & Mae Mae v. Big Wave Dave & Cree. There was a brief stint of golf on the Dodd's extra lot, which came to a crushing end when the Carico parents bought the Dodd's extra lot and built the home where mom Carico still resides today.

This latest match up had the beautiful Wilson course at Griffith Park as the venue. Kid and Johnnny-the-Steve filled out the foursome. Both opponents showed none of the rivalry and bad sportsmanship characteristic of their earlier years. They even rode in the same cart, searched for each other lost balls and showed that even the Hatfields and McCoys can get along.

The match up started with an early advantage to MD, winning the first two holes with pars. No club throwing, although a slight murmur could be heard from Cree that MD's 12 handicap was sandbagging. Cree bounced back over the next holes and lead by one at the turn. MD managed to regain control and was up one hole, going into 16. To Cree's dismay, 16 was a push. Cree then caught MD on 17, making them all tied going into 18. Cree's 24-handicap meant he stroked on 18.

MD tied off first and being the pressure player that he is, bombed the ball down the middle of the fairway. Cree then stepped up and took out his driver, a club that he had recently added to his selection with the help of Houndy. Cree drew back and sailed the ball past MD right in the
middle of the fairway, outdriving Johnny the Steve and Kid. MD then uncharacteristically hit a chip short. Cree took out his six iron and landed the ball pin high, to the right to the green. MD then hit another bad chip and was still not on the green. Cree chipped 12 inches below the hole. MD chipped on and had a four foot down hill putt. With that, the great sportsman that MD has become (because he wasn't when we were kids), stepped forward and conceded the hole, forgetting apparently the 18 inch putt (which D Miller claims was 12 inches) that Cree missed in the inaugural Ryder Cup.

It was a well-played match between two 40 year olds who have managed notwithstanding the odds, to become good sportsman.

Cree advances to play D. Miller and show D. Miller that, if the Ryder Cup were played again, he wouldn't have missed that 18 inch putt.

Joe Kennedy def. John Ketcham, 4 & 3, Robinson Ranch Golf Club. In what would have otherwise been a great day for hang gliding, JK took down JK 4 & 3 on the hills of Robinson Ranch.

The front nine, and all it's headwind, proved an equal challenge for both golfers with the only difference being a smooth 8 iron into the par three, 147 yard 3rd which JK cozied up to 3 inches. We made the turn, JK up one.

The back nine, and it's howling tailwind, would prove a wholly different story. The tenth proved to be a statment hole. The wind-aided 505 yard par 5 into a downhill landing area set the scene. As JK's drive disappeared over the fairway horizon, JK followed up with another solid drive down the middle which found the center cut atop the fairway ridge. Reaching the top of the fairway, we spotted the disappearing drive....settled alongside the 150 pole! That would prove just enough for JK to take it to up two and, pun intended, it was all down hill from there.

Down three after eleven, four after twelve, and five after thirteen, JK called on the same gods of golf that brought Jimbo back to life weeks before. It was not to be. After giving one back with two drives to opposite ends of the property, JK closed it out on 15 with a punch out of the too familiar shrubs and two- putt for the victory.

It wasn't pretty, it rarely is, but JK will take his first match play victory nonetheless.

Jake Courtney def. Chris Warshaw in playoff, Big Canyon Country Club. It was one for the ages last Saturday when our revered president Chris Warshaw took on Jake Courtney, for the right to face the defending Champion. The setting was Big Canyon Country Club (thanks Jumbo), under clear skies and a slight breeze blowing out of the Northwest. While Houndy went to the range, Jake and Mae Mae warmed up with some breakfast meat and screwdrivers with Chick and Reese Leonard.

At the crack of Noon the match was underway.

Both men hit solid drives on number one and hit the green in regulation. Both three putt. No blood. Jake created his own brand of trouble on both 2 and 4 and found himself two down. Jake should have been 3 down but Houndy missed a short bogey putt on the par three third. Struggling, Jake finally hit a good drive on the par five fifth. Houndy found the rough,
short on the left. He was forced to punch a low iron into the fairway. Mae was also left and unable to find his ball. The ball he ultimately found was Houndy's and the ball Houndy had hit was of course Mae Mae's. OUCH.

Jake is only one down.

Sates quo until the ninth when the battle really began. Houndy's tee ball is found inches from the OB stake. A good punch and approach shot has Houndy putting for par. The ninth green is well protected by a large lake, that abuts the first tee box. (more about that lake later) Jake facing a near impossible flop shot over a trap to a tight pin next to the lake. Houndy, like many times in his life is premature. Flawless execution puts Jake inside Houndy. Each man starting to feel the pressure, three putts. The ebb and flow of emotion alternating between players with each missed attempt is unbelievably intense. The front is concluded with Houndy up one.

On ten Jake dribbles a drive while Houndy again finds the trees on the left. A solid four iron by Jake and Houndy's punch out have the two men standing side by side in the middle of the fairway. No pleasantries are exchanged. The mood is somber. Houndy is sober. Jake misses the green left and stays in bounds by feet. Houndy at this point, emulating his Holiday Classic partner, dead ass shanks one right out of bounds. We are ALL SQUARE. Houndy opens his first beer. Is it too late to start drinking? The magic continues on eleven. Jake on the tee jacks a ball far right heading toward McArthur Blvd. Houndy, never one to back down and play smart, stays with the driver and flies one on top of Jake's. Both men hit provisionals. As the carts approach the area where the balls could be, a ball is found next to the cart path that as bounced back into the course. After the incident on the fifth hole Jake had mark his ball to avoid future confusion. The ball has the word "MINE" written on it and Jake has his first lead.

The lead is short lived when Houndy sticks a fairway wood to 10 feet on the par three 12th. ALL SQUARE.

Jake is one up when the player reach the last par three on the course. The hole is a monster. A large lake separates the players from a pin that is 240+ yards away. Both player choose Driver. Jake's drive looks more like a sand wedge and Houndy is back in the driver seat. His drive clears the lake but he is faced with a 40 yard chip. From the drop area Jake is safely on but looking at a long downhill putt for Bogey. Houndy always the champion of fair play elects to chip his ball into the pit of despair trap and then takes three to get out. The frustration is now showing on his face but he gets some relief when Jake three putts. The triples are a tie.

Jake maintains his one up lead through 17 and continues his putting woes missing two putts of less than 10 feet on the last two holes. Either put would have given Jake the match. Houndy's solid play on the last has this match going to EXTRA HOLES!

A visit to the club house before going back out to the first hole proves beneficial to Jake.

With fresh cocktails the warriors have added a gallery. Kid, Joeby and Verbs had played a few groups ahead of the match with their host OB. That's right "that OB." The man who earlier this year was banned from his own daughter's volleyball game. The man who in the late 70's dominated Houndy on the Orange Court despite giving up many inches. The man who would and could provide an intangible to any match by simply standing on a tee box without saying a word.

Houndy was the first to step to the tee. All day long his driver had been his friend. Solid contact was all he was looking for, memories of the 70's was all he found. Who knows what goes through a man's mind when a match is on the line? Do a good swing and the worse swing of your life feel the same as you start your power move to the ball? Only Houndy knows for sure. What we all saw on the tee box was the ball lofting softly and dead right into the lake in front of the ninth green. A lake clearly not intended to intimidate a golfer on the first tee. The mark on the top of Houndy's $500 driver will be a painful reminder of this match for years to come. OB,
Kid, Verb and Joeby's reactions, priceless.

Yet the match was not conceded. Despite a second ball into the greenside lake Houndy magically rolled in a 35 down hill putt from the second cut to make seven. Jake needed to three putt from 25 feet to win the match. The first rolled 12 feet long and above the pin. The second slide 5 feet by. Only when the bender found the bottom of the cup was the match concluded.

Bring on Richard!

Jim Leonard def. Matt Dodd in playoff, Big Canyon Country Club. While the Houndy-Jake dual was an epic battle, it was easily equaled by the other match in the foursome.

Again the setting is last Saturday at the beautiful and exclusive Big Canyon Country Club, Jimbo's home course. Prior to teeing off, Jimbo graciously offers to provide course tips throughout the round so as to reduce his home course advantage.

Mae's warm-up strategy, which consisted of a large breakfast and libations on the clubhouse patio, clearly pays off as he begins the round on an absolute tear. Mae Mae is long and strong off the tee and accurate around the greens. Jimbo, on the other hand, starts off shaky and can't buy a par. Mae takes the first hole, then the second hole, and by the time they reach the eighth tee, Mae Mae has a commanding FIVE UP lead.

Mae and Jimbo battle back and forth the next several holes and by the time the reach the 13th hole, Mae Mae's lead is still a commanding FOUR UP.

Interestingly, the course advice that was flowing so freely from Jimbo suddenly ceases. Mae Mae's accurate driving starts to go array while Jimbo starts hitting some of the long bombs that only he can. Mae's lead is cut to THREE UP. Then TWO UP. By the time they reach the 18th hole, the lead is only ONE UP. The momentum has clearly shifted back to Jimbo--but a simple bogie by Mae Mae on the last hole can save the match for him.

It was not to be though, as Mae Mae can't get the lug nuts back on and Jimbo takes the last hole to force the playoff.

So it's back to the first tee for side-by-side playoffs along with Jake and Houndy. As Jake noted, the intensity of the playoff was exponentially increased with the addition of the Joeby, Verbs, Kid and OB gallery.

Jimbo steps up and hits an absolutely monster drive--his best of the day--and leaves himself a simple wedge to the water-protected green. Mae Mae, who gets a stroke on the hole, responds beautifully and hits his nice power fade drive into the middle of the fairway.

After a 15 minute break to recover from laughing at Houndy's tee shot, Mae Mae steps up to his approach shot. The first green at Big Canyon is protected by a lake. Mae makes a nice smooth swing and the ball soars toward the center of the green. If it hits the green, he will in all likelihood win the match given his stroke advantage. The ball hangs in the air. Does it have enough to get there? Will it clear the water? The ball descends from the sky, landing on the bank of the small lake and then disappears. The gallery gasps in wonder. The ball cleared the lake and did not roll back into the water, but where is it?

After Jimbo hits a nice wedge onto the green, the group scampers up to the green to investigate. Much to Mae's dismay, the ball was found wedged between a railroad tie and the land in an unplayable position. Because the ball was within the red marked hazard area, Mae has to hit from the other side of the water. His next shot over the water (his fourth) is chunked and finds the lake. Match over.

Jimbo makes an improbable comeback to advance to the second round where he will face Swatty.

Mae Mae went immediately to the clubhouse to drown his sorrows.

Brett Coordt def. Rob Stroyke, 3 & 2, Rio Hondo Golf Course. With an "I luv LA" type of day amongst us, four of the club's biggest hacks teed off at Rio Hondo for a birth into the coveted Main Draw. BC found himself down two at the turn as Stroyke managed his game nicely for a 49 on the front. But Dogg's game faltered as the phone continued to ring and BC was able to close it out with a couple of double bogeys at the 15th and 16th to win 3 and 2. Next? Billy Who?

David Gentry def. Chris Walmer, 3 & 2, Rio Hondo Golf Course. It was a great day for golf, and a great foursome.

The match started off with me drawing first blood on the starting hole. We pushed the next two then Catfish drew even with a 9 that beat my 11 on the par 5 4th. I think it was at that point BC threw out the notion that we could collectively post the highest group score in BGC history. In a
moment of foreshadowing, I went back up 1 on the following hole as Catty pulled a 5 footer just left. We drew even as I watched Catfish tap in a par on the par 4 6th hole after a great second shot gave him a glimpse at a long birdie putt which he left about a foot away. I was able to finish the front back up 1 as Catfish’s putter again failed him on 9.

The back 9 started well for me as I landed a 4 iron 15 feet away on the 194 foot par 3. Catfish had a nice pitch shot but missed a long par putt and I went 2 up converting mine. After pushing the 11th, I was able to grow the lead to 3 as Catfish sent a few balls OB off the tee…a favor I
returned the following hole taking the lead back down to 2. Fish like water, and unfortunately Catty found it on the 204 foot par 3 14th. I almost joined him, but stayed dry and was able to go back up by 3. Catfish had a great opportunity to win the 15th, but 4 jacked after getting on the tough par 5 in 3 shots. I took a bogie and which was a net push taking us to the 16th with me up 3. We were both on in 4 with me needing only a push to close the match. Chris was looking at a tough 25 footer and with his putter not cooperating all day I felt confident. Displaying some grit, Catty stepped up and absolutely drained it center cup putting the pressure back on me to convert an uphill 5 footer. With the 17th being a par 3 and Catty stroking on 18, I knew that missing this shot would swing the door wide open again. Fortunately I was able to knock it down closing out the match 3-2.

We had a great time, and couldn’t have asked for a better day to play…