Frozen Out

Wednesday was the coldest start yet in a Pot Game.  Frost was the dominate theme as 8 players had to wait until almost 9am to tee off on the North Course.  Chuckster created two teams which looked very fair on paper.  As they assembled on the first tee Bear's team was all there so they tee off first which made Triple N wait to go second which usually throws him off his game because he can't race ahead.  But more than going second Bear's team thought Molasses Boy being in his group would be his "kryptonite" because he can't stand to play slow.

Team #1 Bear, Otis, Billy D and Fireman started great on the first hole but lost 4 on the 2nd hole and had to use a lot of double bogeys in their 3BB score along the way so they end up +11.

Team #2 Triple N, Skrocki, Molasses Boy and Skooger played strong through the first five holes on the strength of Skrocki's two birdies but slipped a little coming in to end up with +9, but a two stroke victory.

On back nine with Team #2 fading out of sight two holes behind, Team #1 played steady through 14 and then brought their score down to +4 which they thought was a winner after three birdies on the last three holes.  However Team #2 settled into the snail pace set by Molasses Boy and continued to play better golf on the back as well.  Skrocki rolled in two more birdies and Triple N threw in another on the 17th and they finished at +3 to sweep all sides and freeze out Team #1.

Low scores of the day Bear 72, Skrocki 75, Otis 76 and Triple N 77.  Everyone else slipped to high 80s or low 90s.

There were 5 skins worth $8 a piece (Skrocki 3, Fireman and Otis)

Full Moon Massacre

Saturday brought frosty temperatures and a bright moon still shining over the course as Pot Gamers descended on Bretwood at 7:30am.  The Pro Shop announced that there was a frost delay, so all 10 Pot Gamers who were bundled up to play made their way upstairs to grab something to eat.  As they were sitting around BB (Brad-Brian) thought it would be a good idea to have Pudge and Bear pick the teams.  So everyone agreed and Bear with the higher handicap started off with the first pick followed by Pudge picking the next two and back it forth it went until two teams of five were created.  Bear flipped a coin to determine the format 3BB or 4BB.  When the coin came up tails, 4 BB it was.

Little did Bear know that Pudge who had been playing several days in a row knew who was hot and who was not.  So Bear's team looked good on paper until the balls started flying.

Team #1 Bear, Skrocki, Dougie, Jerry and House knew they were in trouble from the opening tee shots on the North Course when three players duck hooked left into the 18th fairway of south.  It only got worse from there. Which resulted in a new record of +22 for 4BB.

Team #2 Pudge, BB, Billy D, Brett and Skooger couldn't contain their laughs watching Team #1 tee off.  By getting 5 birdies, avoiding triples and doubles and making sure they had 4 players in on every hole they cruised to +10.  Good enough for a 12 shot lead.

Team #1 couldn't play any worse but it didn't get a whole lot better when the best they could do was +16 on the back.  Team #2 knowing they had an unbeatable lead for total went to cruise control and eased in with a +11.

Here is what Pudge knew and Bear didn't.  Skrocki had worked all night and was playing on almost no sleep.  House had played on Friday on Pudge's team and he had used up all his birdies for a month.  Dougie hadn't played since the warm weather and dry greens and Jerry lost his laser on the practice tee and was a basket case until the 6th hole when it was announced by another foursome that it been found.  So Bear's team had scores of 76, 87, 87, 84 and 93 while Pudge's team had 75, 81, 87, 83 and 85, hence the massacre.

There were only three skins worth $15 a piece. (Pudge 1, Skrocki 1 and Bear 1)  Low scores of the day were Pudge 75 and Bear 76.

If Pudge's thumping of Bear's team wasn't enough Pudge took $1 off Bear in their ongoing match.

News and Notes
Cheez has reported in that he played his first round of golf and shot 89.  The Sticks invited him to join them and he paired up with two of best friends to actually win a side.  He is recovering nicely and sends his thanks for all the emails and cards from his fellow Pot Gamers.

BB's sons have unfortunately got his "club bashing against the bag" DNA.  The little BBs have each broken a club this summer, along with Dad.  So punishment will not be forthcoming because they can't help it if its in their genes.

Start time for weekend Pot Games will be 8am starting next weekend the 26th.  The Pro Shop has stopped giving out tee times so we will play which course is less crowded.

Out Of Balance

Mad Dog clears his schedule for Wednesdays when he knows the low handicappers all show up.  So when he added up the list and found 13 players including himself, he knew he would be chainsawing instead of taking Bear's money.  But before he left in his unhappy state he decided to bless one team with three Captains and leave the other two teams wanting.

Team #1 Triple N, Walt, Skrocki and Rod was harassed from the first tee by the other two teams for being ridiculously strong.  By the look on their faces they knew they had it in the bag courtesy of  Mad Dog's team creations.  Just to make sure they lived up to their billing, Skrocki knocked in three birdies to have them shoot +1 and win the front.

Team #2 Pudge, Otis, Billy D and House knew they had to battle hard to beat the dream team and they tried but the best they could muster was +5 (3BB with all birdies).

Team #3 Bear, Sandy, Fireman and Skooger drifted all the way up to +5 after the 7th hole but rolled in three birdies on the 8th to climb back in it only to watch it melt away with two bogeys on the 9th to finish +4.

Team #1 ran away with the back as they posted an even par 3BB and +1 total.  Team #2 succumbed to the reality of the situation and despite Otis having three birdies  they shot +8.

Team #3 put up six birdies but couldn't overcome their slow start on the 10th hole where they lost four shots and ended up with +2.

There were 5 skins worth $12 a piece. (Otis 1, Triple N 1, Walt 1, Skrocki 1 and Fireman 1).

Low scores of the day were Bear 72, Otis 74, Skrocki 74, Pudge 75, Triple N 76, Walt 78 and Sandy 78.

The Mad Dog created Dream Team had all three "Captains" between 74-78.  The other teams could only get two players in the 70s so "fair and balanced" was not the theme of the day.

The loser teams at least got a free $20 drink. 

There was a total of 23 birdies made.  Skrocki lead the way with 5 of his own.  Team #3 loved the par 3s as they had three birdies on the 8th hole and two on both the 13th and 16th holes.

Bear was able to pry $6 from Pudge on the strength of 3 more birdies in their continuing match.

Past Weekend Round Up

Mad Dog in full Grandpa mode sat out the action but plenty of other Pot Gamers were on hand to try fool the Golf Gods into playing one last great round.

Saturday the forecast called for clouds and cool temperatures and based on the number of jackets being worn by the Pot Gamers it was spot on.  Five teams of three were created to play 2BB with all birdies counting on the North course.

Team #1 Triple N, Dicky Mac and Brett shot a respectable +5 on the front despite the struggles of the  and C players.

Team #2 Bear, 99 and Jerry Maquire played steady and were able to produce a winning score of +3 with only birdie between them.

Team #3 Sandy, Skrocki and Rama had a yo-yo round with a great beginning collapse in the middle and a mini comeback at the end which got them a tie for second place at +5

Team #4 Brad-Brian, Andy Mac and Skooger went off the rails on the 2nd hole when they lost three shots. Despite an eagle on the 4th by Andy Mac when he dunked his second shot they never got back on the tracks on their way to +10.

Team #5 Pudge, Billy D and Birdie the favorites on paper followed Team #4 off the tracks on the second hole when they lost four shots on their way to a horrendous +10 on the front to tie for the boobie prize.

Team #1 never was able to get two players on par and drifted to a +6, while Team #2 played steady again coming in with a +4 to tie the back with Team #4.  Team # 3 and Team 5 shot +7 and +5 and waited to be served their $20 beers.

Team #2 with 2.5 sides served up the drinks and listened to all the stories of the putts that didn't go in from all the other teams.

There were 7 skins worth $10 a piece. (Andy Mac 2, Triple N 1, Rama 1, Brad-Brian 1, Brett 1 and 99 1).  Team #4 said all three of their skins were either chip-ins or dunks from the fairway, no putts necessary.

Low scores of the day Triple N 74, Bear 75, Sandy 80 and Skrocki 80.  Everyone else 80s or 90s.

Pudge and Sandy both resumed their match with Bear and both left $7 lighter in the wallet.

Sunday could produce only nine players so they played 2BB with all birdies counting on the South course.

Team #1 Bear, Skrocki and Chimney with only 1 birdie between them somehow shot a measly +1 which has good enough to win the front.

Team #2 Pudge, Billy D and Rama opened fast going red on the 1st and held steady until 6-8 when they lost three to push them up to +3

Team #3 Brad-Brian, Jedi and Loy were cruising at even par when they imploded on the 7th hole with a bogey and triple to go +4 and then lost three more to move all the way up to +7

Team #1 went from -2 on the 10th all the way to +7 by the 18th hole a total collapse.  Meanwhile Teams #2 and #3 were fighting off double bogeys but still managed to squeak in a score of +6 to tie the back.

Team #1 won 2 sides and Team#2 and #3 took a half side each.

There were 7 skins worth $6 a piece. (Pudge 2, Rama 1, Bear 1, Jedi 1, Billy D 1 and Loy 1).

Low scores of the day were Pudge 73, Bear 77 and Skrocki 79.  Everyone else was in the 80s or 90s.

Bear lost $6 to Pudge so he was up only $1 for the weekend.

All Tied Up

With more than a little chill in the air on Wednesday morning (38 degrees at tee off), 10 Pot Gamers showed up for a little winter golf.  A few even braved the temps in shorts.

Chuckie made up two teams of 5 players each and they played a little 3BB with all birdies counting.

Team #1 Bear, Sandy, Otis, Walt and Billy D teed off with their breath visible and dew so think it looked like a cover of snow.  The dew made putting a real challenge plus the cups hadn't been changed since Saturday.  Even with all those factors they shot -1 lead by Otis's even par 37.

Team #2 Mad Dog, Triple N, Skrocki, TJ and Molasses Boy were up and down early but settled in with a respectable +1.  Mad Dog and TJ lead the way with 38s.

Team #1 got off to a terrible start on the back and were +4 after the 13th hole.  But they roared back with 4 birdies on the next 5 holes to end up at even par.  Team #2 went red on the 10th hole and never went over even par through 16. with Mad Dog shooting a 33 on his own ball.  Then Molasses Boy woke up from his slump and rolled in birdies on 17 and 18 getting them to -2.  So both teams won a side and split the back.

Low scores of the day Mad Dog 71, Otis 76, TJ 77, Sandy 78 and Triple N 79.  There were eight skins worth $6 a piece (Mad Dog 2, Walt 1, Sandy 1, Otis 1, TJ 1, Bear 1 and Molasses Boy 1).

Bear's game imploded while Mad Dog's came to life, so Mad Dog whipped him for $7 making the YTD all tied up...

Notes

Cheez scared everyone with news of him being hospitalized for a mild stroke.  He is out now and very optimistic about a full recovery.  His plan is to play in the 9 at 9 on Thanksgiving.  His email is psgolf@comcast.net if you want to drop him a line.  The Toothpicks are waiting for him to tee it up with them.

Billy D with Wednesday's round hit 100 rounds for the year.  In contrast Bear hit 50 rounds.  Cheez in his limited time playing this summer did 69 rounds.

Otis always conscious of his handicap missed a few "not needed" 4 footers during his round except on 17 when his weak putt rolled over the front edge much to his dismay.. 

Mad Dog reported that the highest index on Wednesday was only 5.3, so "Hump Day" attracts real players.

The 18th hole had two chip in birdies, one for each team.  Sandy from behind the green and Molasses Boy from the front.

Captain America was bundled up riding his mower with temps in the 30s.  He is trying to get one last round in this year before the snow flies.  His target weekend is the 19th-20th.  Tractorman has a bad shoulder and is on the Disabled List.  Thankfully it is not the one that was operated on a few years ago.

A Legend Is Born

You never know in the Pot Game when something extraordinary is going to happen.  Saturday was one of those moments when one of our regulars did an unbelievable thing.

Saturday was forecast to be the best day of the weekend.  Twelve Pot Gamers showed up to play a little 3BB on the south course.   Mad Dog was going to play and come out of retirement (again) but when he saw he would be the 13th player he bowed out.

Team #1 Bear, Jay Esh, 99 and Rama got off to a steady start +2 after 6 holes but slipped up on 8 and 9 to end with +6 on the front.  99 shot a smooth even par 36 on the front with a nice 38 by his partner Jay Esh, but it was enough to make up for the 4 bogeys their Captain was making.

Team #2 TJ, Brad-Brian, Brett and Jerry went red on the first hole but struggled on 8and 9 also to shot +6 on the front.  Captain TJ shot 38 with C man Brett throwing in a steady 39 but they couldn't get a third ball from their other players.

Team #3 Triple N, Andy Mac, Skrocki and House had the best team on paper all they had to do was go out and play.  A and B players did their part with 35 and 37 but never were able to get a third par or birdie from the C and D players and ended up with +6.

So each team knew with a three way tie whomever won the back won 2 1/3 sides.  Mad Dog drove up to Team #1 on the 11th tee and asked to play along.

All three teams came off the 10th hole at -1 thinking they were at least 1 or 2 strokes down to everyone else.  Team #1 on the strength of two birdies in the first three holes from Jay Esh were able to ding/dong their way to even par through 14 holes.

Then it happened.  99 who was only 1 over on his own ball on the 15th tee, popped up his hybrid into the very front of the fairway trap.  In typical Mad Dog style he said "Nice pop up".  99 without missing a beat says "It is going to be one hell of a birdie".  To which Bear replies "I'll take a par from there and be very happy".  So as they walk down the fairway they see 99 take out his hybrid and start digging his feet in the sand.  Rama looking on from the edge of the trap is thinking what the hell is he doing.  Nobody tries a 220 yard carry shot over water from the sand playing 3BB when all his other partners are yet to hit.  But 99 does...  With a mighty whack he hits a missile of a high draw that hits on the left side of the green and rolls to the back collar 32' from the pin.   His partners go crazy.. Yelling at him they can't believe he didn't lay up.  As 99 walks to his ball Bear yells out to him "You can only be a legend if you make the putt".  To which 99 just smiles.  As 99 is studying his putt he asks Jay if he wants to play as he isn't quite ready.  Then he checks with Bear to see if the pin is leaning in his favor.  Finally after lots of analysis he pulled his putter back and stroked his putt, then watched as it rolled through the fringe over two swales and dead into the middle of the cup.  Securing his place as a legend in Pot Game lore forever.

He then birdies 16. If that wasn't enough he push fades his tee shot on 18 almost into the first fairway.  Then he tries to hit a 3 wood through the trees but catches one flush shooting the ball across the 18th fairway to 174 yards out.  He hits his third shot 12' past the hole and calmly drains it for an incredible 71.  A score so low that Bear had a hard time having the GHIN computer accept the score.

Mean while Teams #2 & 3 were melting down with back nines of +15 and +6.  So Team #1 swept 2 1/3 sides.

Low scores of the day were 99(The Legend) 71, Triple N 73, Andy Mac 77, Jay Esh 78, Bear 79 and Brett 79.  There were 4 skins worth $15 a piece (99 2, Brad-Brian 1, Jay Esh 1)

Sunday looked to be a good day to stay home and relax because of a rainy forecast and several Pot Gamers were playing in the Elks vs Italians tournament.  But when the weather called for showers to be over during the early morning seven either brave or crazy Pot Gamers showed up to play.

Chuckie made up the teams.  But Mad Dog who had to be coaxed to play insisted that he had to have Jedi on his team.  Which forced Bear to trade his own son for Skrocki.

Team #1 Mad Dog, TJ and Jedi (also using Birdie's score) teed off first on the North course hoping the rain would hold off.  They got off to a slow start and held it together to shoot a +3 2BB on the front which given the on again off again rainy weather wasn't bad.

Team #2 Bear, Andy Mac, Skrocki and Birdie jumped started their round on the strength of Skrocki's birdie on the first.  They followed that up with two more birdies on the 5th hole which gave a solid even par on the front to take a three shot lead over Team #1.

Team #1 rallied on the back with TJ and Jedi both posting 38s and with Birdie giving them two birdies they shot a solid -2.  However Team #2 was still firing birdies with everyone scoring between 36 to 40 on the back which gave -3 to sweep all sides.

Low scores of the day were Bear 76, Andy Mac, 77, Skrocki 77 and Jedi 78.  There were 8 skins worth $4 a piece. (Skrocki 2, Birdie 2, Jedi 1, Bear 1, Mad Dog 1 and Andy Mac 1)

Mad Dog finally took on the Bear to resume their season long match.  Bear came away with $4 making the YTD Bear up $7.

Wednesday Wonderment

With a forecast of near 80 degrees, 16 Pot Gamers came out to tee off in fog and play a little 3BB on the South course.  Mad Dog scheduled Valley Seniors for a 9am shot gun on the back nine which lead everyone to conclude this could be another of his "Bright Ideas".  They got more nervous when the Dog announced he wasn't playing (another retirement).  But in the end his logistics worked out and the two groups never collided.

Chuckie created four groups to do battle.  One of the participants Commish had to re-introduce himself as no one has seen him in over a month.  Bear had texted him the night before to challenge him to show up while the weather was still warm and he did.

Team #1 Triple N, Molasses Boy, 99 and Rod P went red on the first hole but couldn't hold it as they crept up to +4 at the turn.  Triple N shot a very impressive 33 on the front on his own ball which was good for the second best score of the day.

Team # 2 Pudge, Skrocki, Billy D and House were rolling along until they reached the 7th hole when the best they could do was +4 which kick started them on their way to shoot +9 on the front.

Team #3 Sandy, Otis, Fireman and Commish were able to ding/dong their way to a +3 score when players B-D all broke 40.

Team #4 Bear, Walt, Birdie and Skooger were rolling along until they had to take a triple bogey 7 on the 4th hole which sealed their fate.  Bear threw in 4 birdies to shot 32 and Walt shot a tidy 37 but they couldn't get lower than +4.

Team # 1 drifted into bogey land when they shot +10 on the back followed close behind by Team #3 who shot +9.  Teams #2 and #4 fought it out ending in a tie at +3.  Team #2 went birdie crazy when Pudge and Skrocki birdied the last 6 holes in a row.  Team # 4 had three birdies on the 16th hole to put them -2 but couldn't hold on losing 5 shots on 17 and 18.

Team #4 ended up with 1 1/2 sides, Team #2 1/2 and Team #3 1 side.

Low scores of the day Bear 67, Triple N 74, Pudge 74, Otis 76, Walt 76 and Sandy 78.  There were 8 skins worth $10. (Pudge 4 (Roy Boy x 4), Bear 1, Triple N 1, Billy D 1, Skrocki 1)

Sandy who has been clipping Bear on a regular basis in their automatic dollar a hole match forked over a record $15 to Bear.  Pudge and Bear also have an ongoing match and despite Pudge making four birdies he still lost $10 when Bear posted 7 birdies.

Cheez update.  He is stuck in NC grandchildren mode which does not allow playing golf.  He won't make The Villages until Sunday night.  Lots of rust on his game.

Half A Loaf

While the Gazette editor was on assignment in SC last weekend a new cub reporter was able to supply info for Saturday but not for Sunday.

Saturday under clear blue skies 13 players showed up for a little 2BB on the North course.

Team #1 Triple N, Billy D and Jerry lead the way with a very average score of +6 when they couldn't find two players on each hole to make a par or better.

Team #2 Mad Dog, Tractorman and Dickie Mac went along with the trend by shooting +6 after they imploded on the 6th hole having to use a bogey/double bogey 2BB.

Team #3 Sandy, Jedi and Fireman got off to a shaky start but steadily improved to a score of +4 good enough to take the front.

Team #4 Andy Mac, Skrocki, Skooger and House were the favorites on paper by virtue of them having 4 players.  But they couldn't overcome the C and D players shooting 10 over on the front on their own balls which resulted in another +6 score.

Team Captains went to the whip on the back nine resulting three teams (Teams #1 #2 and #3) shooting even par.  Team #4 an improved +2 but not good enough to keep pace making them one of the few 4 man teams to lose this summer.

Team #3 claimed 2 1/3 sides so they had to buy the drinks and serve the thirsty deck dwellers.

Low scores of the day were Triple N 73, Sandy 75, Jedi 76 and Mad Dog 78.  There were five skins worth $13 a piece (Jedi 1, Triple N 1, Sandy 1, Mad Dog 1 and Tractorman 1).

Sunday's results are known only to those that played...  All we know is Cheez didn't win anything.