Blue vs. Gold

Well, today was the dreaded? day.  August 12, 2010 fifty years from the day I was born.  The only way to celebrate would be to play golf. Unfortunately, this is men's invitational week at OHCC.  Of course the East course was closed and the front nine of the West was closed since there was a shotgun start for four groups (yes, please read heavy sarcasm into that last comment).

That left the back nine of the West open until 10:30AM. So, how to make lemonade out of lemons?  The first annual Blue vs. Gold challenge pitting 49-year old John Schantz (YJS) playing from the championship tees vs. 50-year old John Schantz (OJS) playing from the gold tees.

OJS got off to a rough start as he failed to make par from 100yds out while YJS rifled a 6-iron through the trees from almost the first fairway to 12 feet for a 2-putt par.  Both players parred the next two holes.  The 13th provided OJS with a 100 yd. advantage off the tee but the old man could not capitalize.  YJS managed to get up and down from 75 yds for par while OJS's 75 yd approach fell short.  Another poor chip and missed put gave the youngster a 2 stroke advantage.

At the 14th YJS left his tee shot a few yards short of the green to a back left pin and a poor chip left 15 feet for par.  Meanwhile OJS put a 6-iron in the middle of the green and holed the 30 footer for birdie.  It was looking like there would be a 2-stroke swing but the kid drilled the par save and still held the lead.

The 15th provided another big advantage off the tee.  Playing from 17 East YJS nailed a solid drive but was still left with 188 to the flag.  OJS also hit it well and was left with 75 yds.  Both players hit the green but neither could convert the birdie try.

At the 16th the youngster got up and down from 40 yards while the old man could not covert from 30 feet and both players carded 4's.  At 17 YJ hit a reasonable hybrid just short of the green.  Feeling the pressure of coming from behind the old fool laid the sod over his tee shot from 140 yds.  Adding to his misery the newly minted 50 year old displayed a failing short game and could not get up and down for 3.  YJ lined up his 4 foot par putt to but missed.  Was he feeling advancing age as well?

Off to the 18th and final hole. YJ's drive left him 203 to the pin while OJ had only 125.  Unfortunately for the old guy the YJ was up to the task putting his 3-hybrid approach in the center of the green.  Both players made 4 and the match ended with the young man knocking off his older counterpart 36 to 37.

After the round YJ was quoted as saying "The old guy was lucky this was only a nine holer.  He was starting to get tired and I would have buried him on the next nine".  OJ countered with "What did you expect.  The young rascal dragged me out of bed at 5:30 AM and wouldn't even let me go through my stretching routine.  What does he think I am 48?"

Does this mean I get to be 49 for another year?  I'm looking forward to playing my 51-year old self next year.