SPOOKED!

Today was a brilliant, but windy Halloween Friday afternoon.

Who would get tricked and who would get treated? Were there any ghoulish stories that will give anyone nightmares?

There were no horror stories on the front nine as 6 holes were won and the 9th was halved. However, the ghosts and goblins finally showed up down the stretch.

John Schantz and Dave Fries made a Houdini like escape on #16 when Jim Mason's 2 1/2 foot birdie putt for a field win was knocked off-line by a mysterious force and missed.

But Doug Lyon slayed his demons by lacing a 208 yard 3-wood into a 25 mph wind on #17 and converted the birdie for a team win. Looks like Doug will be sleeping well and Jim might be tossing and turning.

But wait!

The story is just starting to get interesting.

After being tricked for two holes the field was in a foul mood heading to #18 where an 8-hole carryover was at stake. Brad McAreavy was pulled as captain and drove long and right into the trees. He chose to laugh in the face of danger and took Doug Lyon as his partner, passing on the opportunity to see Jim Mason's drive ("Never wait for the last hitter").

Brad waded into the dark forest and hit a brilliant recovery that had the field quaking at its magnificence.

But it was growing dark and the Halloween spirits must have spooked the team as they failed to convert their par chances and the field enjoyed an early Halloween treat.

Will Doug be able to sleep at night? Will Brad? Heck, will I after writing this drivel? Stayed tuned for the sequel..................

Game Summary:

Players 5 (6 on back 9 for 7 holes)
Marks 10
Mark Leader - Schantz and Lyon with 4 each
Overall Leader - Schantz $21

Mack has Nack for Cash

Smooth swinging Ron Mack joined the crew today in his first appearance in two years. Ron doesn't join the game too often but when he does he has a habit of taking our money.

Teaming with John Teegardin the 73 years young Mack used his 6 handicap to make 4 for 3 on #18 to win a five hole carryover and cash out $18 on the game.

Dave Fries had a nice chip-in for birdie 2 to a back left pin from long & left on #4. Dave also made birdie on #9 to win a 6-hole carryover for the field.

Game Summary:

Carryovers to 9 & 18
Players 6
Marks 13
Mark Leader - Schantz with 5
Money Leader - Teegardin $17 each

Fries, Bronson Capture Red, White and Black

Dave Fries and Dylan Bronson captured the Red, White and Black title. If you are going to ditch the game for a silly season event at least make it worthwhile.

Congratulations.

Never, EVER Bet Against Mason

The big story of the day (October 19) was a par by Jim Mason on #12 (East Course).

The 100 foot putt in a putting contest at Yahnandasis C.C wasn't enough. Nor was the par from short of the drainage ditch on #18 in the Harmon Cup to win his match and the cup. Or even the par from the left rough on #16 East with a driver in 40 degree weather into a 20 mph wind over two bunkers to a tucked pin for birdie.

Let's not forget the three club championships and numerous other golfing feats and even the fact that he's a really nice guy.

Nope, some people just can't resist the urge to bet against Jim Mason.

So let's set it up for those who weren't there. Jim was last to tee off and hit some kind of ugly low, pull hook ground ball that managed to clear the creek in front of the tee, clank off the trees bordering the maintenance road, bounce across the road towards the 6th green. At one point it looked as if it would go in the creek by #6 and finally came to rest maybe 100 yards off the tee between the road and the creek.

As the ball was bouncing across the road Brad McAreavy comments "let's see him make par from there". Having witnessed more than my share of the above described feats I instantly offer to take the bet if I get 10 to 1 odds.

Brad accepted just as Jim launched a 3 wood to the end of the fairway. Now all he had to do was get up and down from 75 yards to a back left pin - I figured my odds had now gone up to 50/50.

You know the rest of the story; Jim made the 15 footer for par and we split the $10. Brad was last heard mumbling something about the fact that losing $10 wasn't as bad as the fact that I was going to put the story in the blog.

He was right.

The other big highlights of the day were my greenie, birdie, loner on #15 and the fine mark performance by John Teegardin (5 or 6 marks).

Unfortunately, I had to leave right after the round and the crew did not keep the scorecard so there are no results to report.

Opening Day Decimated by Defections

It was a classic October day in Rochester, NY. Cool temps, black lake effect clouds highlighted with brilliant sunshine and even some lake effect sprinkles. With aerification delayed until next week there was even the rare opportunity for an East course game.

In short all the ingredients for the long anticipated Captain and Crew opening day at Oak Hill CC were in place. Only one thing was missing for a special opening day.

Players.

Where was the flock? Home sick? Jumping off tall buildings after reading their September investment account statements? No. They were playing in the Red, White and Black Tournament. A true silly season event instead of Captain and Crew? Traitors!

Dave Fries, Dylan Bronson and Mike LaBue. We now know where your loyalties lie!

Schantz, Mason, McAreavy and Teegardin settled for a left, right game. Nothing special to report other than the obligatory Mason 30 foot birdie on the last hole to save himself and McAreavy from a 7 hole carryover loss.

Game Summary:

Left, Right game
Carryovers to 9 &18
Players 4
Marks 9
Mark leader - Mason with 4
Money Leader - Mason $8.00