Scratch Game

On yet another mild November morning six mid-am players and one college boy assembled for the first ever scratch game of Captain and Crew.  Rob Turner didn't seem too thrilled about giving up his four strokes but then again he has cleaned-up in his two appearances this year so there was little sympathy going his way.  We did declare "no black tees" allowed except for the par 3's and #17.

The first three holes were halved and the action heated-up on the 4th as five players carried the bunker and were in the fairway or right rough.  However, no one nutted their second shot and then no one could stick their third shot in close.  The result was no birdies and a halved hole.

There were a number of solid drives on number 5.  Rob Turner hit his approach to 14 feet and for the second day Andrew Kay (playing as Brad McAreavy's partner) hit it right over the top of the flag to about 6 feet.  Rob ran his put in for the field to put the pressure on AK who could not answer.

The 6th was played from the championship tees at 170 yards.  I lead off as captain and hit it to 10 feet.  Dylan Bronson followed-up with a fine shot that turned out to be 4 feet.  Inexplicably, I passed on Dylan (what the heck was I thinking?).  I managed to make my downhill 10 footer and Dylan made his putt as well. So no loss but a good opportunity was missed as Dylan and I had the only birdies.

Through ten holes there had only been one win (the 5th with three carryovers).  Jim Mason captained number 11 and played from the Championship tee - 235 yards to a back left pin.  Everyone missed the green and the only pars were recorded by Jim and his partner AK (sandy).

The 13th was captured by John Schantz (as captain) and Andrew Kay when John ran in a downhill 18 footer for birdie.  AK was again chosen as partner by Rob Turner on the 14th.  In a surprising turn of events AK made the only par (another sandy) for his third team win on the back nine.

AK was able to play in the field on the 15th but was chosen as partner on 16 and 17.  Andrew saved himself on 16 with an 18 footer (yes, another sand save) and dodged Jim Mason's 12 foot birdie putt. 

AK took it all the way back on 17 and teamed with Jim.  They could not match the birdie 4's by Dave Fries (who hit the green from 237 yds) and John Schantz (up and down from 60 yds).  That closed out the scoring on the day as the 18th was halved with pars.

Special mention today for the play of Andrew Kay.  AK played in the twosome at least nine times and came out on the plus side of the game (3 wins, 2 losses).  While he could not manage any bridies, he had plenty of good looks and finished with 16 pars and 2 bogeys playing the course from all the way back except on 1,5,7,9,&18.

The crew would be disappointed if I let this milestone pass without mention:  For the first time in known history (and we are all getting a little older so our memories aren't what they used to be, or at least mine isn't) Mr. Mark himself, Jim Mason, was markless.  Was it a case of cat scratch fever or was he still reeling from a loss in the Saturday night couples euchre tournament?  We'll never know but it beats a sharp stick in the eye or more accurately, Jim's normal 4 mark (or better) performance.

Game Summary:

East Course
Players 7
Carryovers to next hole capped at 3

Mark Leader - John Schantz 4
Money Leader - John Schantz $21.50

Détente Update

Grievances and demands have yet to be heard and no date for peace talks has been determined.