WHEN I'M 64

To paraphrase Paul McCartney:

Will you still need me 

Will you still pay me

When I'm sixty-four

Yes, yes you will, as long as my partner is fellow 64 year old Gene Baldino.

It's been a while since I fired up the C&C blog. What better time than opening day of the 2024 flocksome season. Thanks to Doug Evans for pulling together a field of 6 players including newbie Brandon Nunn.

On a day when the field could not notch a single victory the day was highlighted (or lowlighted depending on your point of view) by three, 3-hole carryover wins by the team of Schantz and Baldino on holes 6, 13 and 18. Gene had a nice sandy, net 4 on 6, I had a 2-putt net 3 on 13 and Gene again with a fairway wood from 200 yds on 18 for a 2-putt net 3.

The other big highlight was Brandon with a 3-hole carryover loner on 11 where he made sandy-birdie. Brandon also bagged 3 greenies on 4,8 and 17 for 5 marks on the day. Brandon had numerous birdie chances all day but could not get a putt to fall. His 4 on 11 was the only birdie for the group all day.

Good to be out with the crew again. Fun to get paid again.

WEATHER: 45, cloudy, misty, sunny

PLAYERS:

Gene Baldino, Doug Evans, Ed & Jeff Kay, Brandon Nunn, John Schantz

TOTAL MARKS: 9

MARK LEADER: Nunn 5

OVERALL LEADER: Nunn & Schantz $21

 

 

STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

 

    Many of the names have changed over the years but some of us are still crazy enough to keep plugging away in mid November. It was cloudy and windy for a 9:30 start with temps in the upper 30's topping out in the low 40's. No rain and no snow though.

    The scribe is feeling a little lazy today so here's a highlight reel summary of today's proceedings:

    #1 saw David Fries and Alan Roides pull out a team win. A theme that would be common today as the team was +12 on wins today against only two field wins for +4

    #5 had Fries and Schantz team up for a three hole carryover win after Schantz rolled it in from 60+ feet for the birdie

    #7 had Burns and Baldino for another three hole carryover team win with a net 3

    #10 was yet another team win for McAreavy and Roides after Brad nailed a 20 footer for the birdie

    On #13 the field finally got on the board when the team of Baldino and Roides could not match a McAreavy birdie from 5 feet 

    #14 and 15 had two more team wins while on #16 McAreavy stole a win for the field with an eagle from 15 feet short of the green. Rumor has it he eagled the hole yesterday as well

     #17 was a tie as McAreavy gave up the greenie with a 3-putt bogey and on #18 Ed Kay was denied a 66th birthday win as he and Gene Baldino could only manage a net 4 to tie the field. Happy birthday Ed!!

 

Total Marks: 17

Mark Leader: Brad McAreavy 5

Overall Leader: Brad McAreavy +$20.50

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

"LET'S GO SCHANTZ"

                                            #6 West

                                            #8 West

                                            David Fries tees it up on #8

                                                      Fall greens at Oak Hill!

 

    The headlines write themselves. But there were so many ways to go today. "Fries Unfrozen" would have been a good counter to yesterday's headline. But it's not often I get the opportunity to make fun of my failure to pay attention. More on that to come.

    It was a  brilliant fall day and while we had another frost delay this morning, the end of daylight savings time got us off an hour earlier at 9:45. A field of 7 players teed it up as we went off the back of the West. 

    As predicted, former club champ David Fries came out for revenge with a birdie, birdie sandie, birdie start to lock up 2 field wins on #'s 10 and 11. The team of Schantz and Turner had a chance for a rare win on #12 but Rob's birdie (net 2) putt slipped by the hole.

    On #14 Alan Roides hit a fine shot to 4 feet for the greenie and what looked like a team win with Andrew Burns. However, Schantz drained a 15 footer which was followed by Chris Evans' 6 footer. Alan secured the tie and two marks and through five holes we were on a torrid mark pace. 

    After a horrid, "grrrrrr" inducing, second shot on #16 Alan hit a running iron out of the rough from 150 yds to 3 feet to notch his 4th mark of the nine. Fries and Burns also birdied and the hole was halved. That was the start of a brilliant three hole stretch for Andrew as he took the greenie on #17 and drained a 20 footer for birdie on #18, for the field, to tie the hole.

    Through nine only two holes had been won. The trend continued as #1 was halved with pars. We were now playing three hole carryovers for the foreseeable future. The floodgates opened on #'s 2 and 3 as Andrew teamed up with first Turner, then Schantz to lose both holes. 

    Three more ties brought us to the 7th tee where controversy ensued. But first, some context. On #11 Schantz confused the stuffing out of Roides by teeing off first (followed immediately by Turner). This left Alan, the true captain, wondering WTF was gong on. We cleared it up and moved on. Now on the 7th tee, Schantz did it again, but we all thought he was captain and Turner was chosen as his partner. In the fairway the error was discovered and we let Alan take over since both he and Rob were getting strokes. In true Schantz fashion, Dave Fries was not informed of the situation. 🤦 Oh boy! Not again! 

    We brought David up to speed on the green. Now a little torqued at the prospect of a field loss he proceeded to run in a bumpy, downhill 18 footer to tie the hole and save the field's butt. With the thoughts of "Let's go Schantz" bouncing around his head it seemed David was primed for another loner on #8. While he was the captain's pick, there was no loner or birdie, just another halved hole.

    Rob Turner was the biggest loser (and next up anyway) captain on #9 with yet another three hole carryover on the line. Fries bombed a drive and he was an easy captain's pick. David stuffed to 6 feet and full redemption for yesterday, plus some, seemed inevitable as Schantz lined up a 25 foot downhill curler from the ridge. It's never over 'til it's over in C&C and the yipper dropped it in the side door for his third mark of the day (on his first appearance in the mark game this year). David's putt slipped by the hole and he was heard mumbling "Let's go Schantz" as we settled up for the day. 

    

PLAYERS: Burns, Chris Evans, Fries,  McAreavy, Roides, Schantz, Turner

TOTAL MARKS: A season high 17

MARK LEADER: Fries (5)

OVERALL LEADER: Fries +$18.50

 

Epilogue: David actually said "good putt" and meant it. After all, it was a Seinfeld "Everything evens out" day as he did avenge yesterday's $18 loss. Next week I will pay more attention...maybe.

 

         

FRIES GETS FROZEN

      It was a gorgeous fall day but low overnight temps made for a frosty start and tee time was delayed until 10:45. We had seven players tee it up on #1 with former club champ David Fries joining the crew on #6 tee.

     Andrew Burns led off choosing John Schantz as his partner. After a solid second shot bounced over the still frozen green Schantz managed to navigate a frosty chip shot for an up and down par and a rare par win for the team on #1.

    Doug Evans and Jim Mason could not manage a par on #3 and lost the 2 hole carryover. Mason then teamed up with young Chris Evans for another loss on #4 when Chris 3-putted from 12 feet and lost not only the hole but the greenie.

    On #6 Schantz and Fries lost the 2 hole carryover to a birdie by Brad McAreavy.  On #8 tee Fries discovered he had been on the losing end on #6. He was so unhappy that he laced one of his patented iron shots to 12 feet, took the loner, made the putt and won the hole when Andrew Burns missed an 8 foot birdie to tie. Memo to John: Don't get David mad!

    Unfortunately for David he was on the losing end of 3 hole carryover team losses on #'s 11 and 16 with Doug "putter drop" Evans and Phil Yawman respectively. Burns managed a 12 foot par putt on #17 to save himself from a team loss and set up Fries for the lucky loser captaincy on #18. 

    It wasn't looking great for team Fries and Burns after Jim Mason knocked his running 3 wood to 9" for a field birdie. But once again Andrew came up big with a par save and net birdie for the tie. Still, Dr. Fries ended up on the losing end for the day. Watch out for a big Sunday comeback by Dr. Fries tomorrow.

 

PLAYERS:

Burns, Chris & Doug Evans, Fries, Mason, McAreavy, Schantz, Yawman

TOTAL MARKS: 9

MARK LEADER: McAreavy 3

OVERALL: McAreavy +$22

 

 

     

 

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR 2021

    After a week of rain and a day after some epic East Course flooding the 2021 Captain & Crew season opened on Halloween day. It was basically a miserable day with temps in the mid 40's, misty rain and a soggy West Course.

    Seven hardy players managed to tee it up. Missing form the line up: Dr. Mason and cart condom Kenny Ogden.

     It was a mostly uneventful day with the field racking up 6 wins through 17 holes. On 18 we instituted an new rule: the biggest loser on the day had the choice of being captain. The honor fell to ed Kay who chose Gen Baldino with both getting strokes. Gene came through big with a 4 for 3 and a 3 hole carryover win. A win that propelled Ed to +$1 on the game for the day.

 Players:

Baldino, Burns, Fries, Jeff & Ed Kay, McAreavy, McCarthy, Schantz

 

Total Marks: 12

Mark Leaders:

JR McCarthy & Andrew Burns 3 each  

Overall Winner:

Gene Baldino $19

 

 

BREAKING NEWS!! OGDEN WINS BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Unconfirmed sources have released the following transcript of a conversation allegedly caught on a hot mic between Jim Nance and Sir Nick Faldo:

Nance:

Sir Nick, I've just been handed an unconfirmed report saying that Kenny Ogden has won the Oak Hill C.C. Bowling Championship. What do you make of that?

Sir Nick:

Brilliant, Jim. Oak Hill is an iconic club with a storied tradition of hosting major championship golf. Who knew  they even had bowling lanes? Is that true?

Nance:

It's true Sir Nick. It's one of their hidden secrets. Zinger and I were just discussing his visit to Oak Hill a few years ago. He can confirm the lanes exists. I think he even bowled a game. Weren't you there recently yourself Sir Nick?

Sir Nick:

That's right, Jim. I was. But I've tried to erase that memory from my mind. Had almost forgotten about it until you brought it. Of course, I remember Oak Hill. The Ryder Cup at Oak Hill is the site of one of my career highlights but that last trip to Rochester was utter bollocks!!  They dragged me out to some hole where I stood around all day like a wanker and had my picture taken. I never had to deal with that nonsense when Fanny was around.

Nance :

Sounds rough Sir Nick.

Sir Nick:

Bloody right it was.

Nance:

Let's get back to Oggie. What do you make of this victory?

Sir Nick:

I'm gobsmacked, Jim. At this late stage of his career? It's been a long time since he was on the PBA tour and he had to fight back from a devastating wrist injury. He must have had one hell of a trainer. 

Nance:

Do you think this makes up for the cart condom incident? 

Sir Nick:

Cart condom incident?

Nance:

I heard Kenny showed up to a fall captain and crew game with a cart, cart cover and a heater. Temperature wasn't even under 50 degrees! Won all the money and didn't even feel bad about it.

Sir Nick:

Bollocks! Jim, bollocks! No, this win not erase that memory. Kenny will never live that down. But let's not go down that road. Let him celebrate a championship.

Nance:

Fair point. Where does he go from here, Sir Nick?

Sir Nick:

Well, from here on out it's all gravy isn't it Jim? He's not getting any younger. 

This could be big. I can see taking this momentum right into the golf season. He's got all the talent you could ask for and you can't buy this kind of confidence. You have to earn it, dig it out of the dirt. It's what we all search for Jim. It's why we play the game. I know right now it's brass monkeys in Rochester but I have no doubt Oggie will be working hard on his golf game now that bowling season is behind him.

Nance:

So does this opens the floodgates?

Sir Nick:

In 1968 The Monkees Released "I'm a Believer". Let's go with that. The floodgates are open, Jim, the floodgates are open. Cheers Kenny!

 

Ken Ogden in all his cart condom glory

                                 

 

 

 

 

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!

That's how I feel after today's festivities. Alan Roides probably feels about the same. Things were going along just fine as we stepped onto the 17th tee. Sure, Alan had zero marks and I had one but only eight holes had been won or lost to that point. So no one was hurt too bad. 

Alan was Captain on #17, missed the green and chose me as his partner. As only the second hitter it was a quick call but not a terrible choice. As it turned out only Brad McAreavy and Jim Mason would also hit the green. We were all 25-30 feet from the hole so a tie seemed likely. "Seemed" being the operative word because Brad thought it would be a great idea to roll his 25 footer into the hole. Grrrrrr. Greenie, birdie. Alan and I took a hit with a 3-hole loss.

No worries. I was captain on #18 and I was taking Alan and his stroke even if he was the last hitter. We were going to get our money back. That turned out to be a hard headed, bone headed move. I passed on three good drives by the 10 handicappers. Alan hit it wide left and couldn't make par while both Gene Baldino and Andrew Burns did. I mention Andrew only because his par was also for a sandie. Grrrr. Another 3-hole loss. The last two holes cost us $24 each. Grrrrr. Sorry, Alan.

Anyhow, enough of my frustrations.  Nobody cares!

It was a cold and at times breezy Sunday with temps in the upper 30's to start and maybe low 40's to finish. A hearty crew of 9 was on board for today's game. Doug Evans was MIA leaving McAreavy without competition for the daily title. He took full advantage and continue his hot play in the mark game. Brad did pass on the chance to take #14 alone from 12 feet. We were hitting from 228 yds so it was not a crazy option. The possibility of a 2X loss on a 3-hole carryover did not sit well with him. He's not greedy and was willing to settle on winning the hole with Captain Mason. In a rare misfire this fall he left the birdie putt short and settled for the halve when I rolled in a 5-foot sandie save.

Not much other action today as only 6 holes were won. I guess there were too many strokes flying and the tee markers were gone so we played the tips on our share of holes.

Game Summary:

9 players

West Course

Carryover to next hole, 3 hole max

Mark Leader: Brad McAreavy (6)
Total Marks: 20

Money Leader: Brad McAreavy ($32.50)

 

The Return of the Mighty Quinn

Today was cold and blustery. It didn't get much above 40 all day and a few flakes fell on #18 so it was an official C&C day. The cold didn't keep anyone at home and we had a nice turnout with 9 players in action.

John Schantz opened things up with a 20 footer for birdie on #1, a 15 foot sandie on #2 and a 20 foot birdie on #5. Stu Harris returned today and also came out strong with greenies on #4 & #8 and a birdie on #5. The birdie on #5 denied Schantz & McAreavy a 3-hole carryover team win. Alan Roides had the first big hole-out of the year when he knocked it in from 35 yards on #6 for a birdie 4.

Doug Evans continued to rack up the cash with a birdie on #14 for partner, Bard McAreavy, and a 3-hole carryover win. 

The stretch run featured a few surprising low lights today as the aerated greens took their toll. Harris and Tim Saur both missed putts inside 4 feet on #16 for marks. Jim Mason missed a putt to tie from inside 4 feet on #17 and suffered a 3-hole loss with Saur. 

However, the day finished with a bang, as the Mighty Bernie Quinn reappeared. Schantz was captain on #18 with Andrew Burns and Quinn being the strokers. Quinn ripped one of his patented bombs off the tee and was quickly chosen. Bernie was in the same position yesterday and it did not go well. Today was a new day and he fired a solid iron shot 3 paces short of the green. Meanwhile, from out of the woods, Burns was had it 20 yards short of the green. With a putter in hand he did his best Scott McCarron impression and hit it to 4 feet.

Schantz picked out a line for Quinn and Bernie hit a solid 40 foot putt. Thirty-five feet from where he stood it hit the pin and dropped for the 3 net 2 and a 2-hole carryover win. The legend of the Mighty Quinn lives!  

Game Summary:

9 players
West Course
Carryover to next hole, 3 hole max

Mark Leader: Harris, Roides, Schantz 4 each
Total Marks: 17

Money Leader: Evans & Schantz $22.50

The Brad-Witch Project

GREENIE?

OR NO GREENIE?

Halloween came late to the crew this year as controversy raged and Brad McAreavy was tricked out of a mark on #17. After taking the greenie on the first three par 3's Brad was looking for the clean sweep. From 198 into a cold stiff breeze Doc Mason crushed a driver to 12 feet just past pin high. Unfortunately, the ball rolled out just enough to reach the second cut. That left Brad's shot to 15 feet looking like the winner until eagle eyes Mason said he was on the fringe. After the Rules Committee (A.K.A. the kangaroo court, A.K.A The Committee of Public Safety, A.K.A. The Politburo A.K.A. Schantz & Mason) sought input from other credible sources it was determined Brad's ball was just into the fringe. No greenie, no sweep. Try as he might, Brad could not concoct a spell that would sway the committee.

In other action it was a pretty mundane day. The crew could only manage 3 marks on the front 9 and 10 total on a cool blustery day. Since Brad had half that total he still had a good day.

The most interesting moment may have been when Jim Mason discovered that not everyone puts their unused tees in their back left pocket. In fact no one does. Except for Jim. Now we know.

Game Summary:

West Course
Number of Players: 7
Carryover to next hole 3 hole max

Mark Leader: Brad McAreavy 5
Total Marks: 10
Money Leader: Jim Mason $25.50

Season Opener 2019

The greens are plugged and the East Course is closed. Must be time for Captain & Crew. It was a reasonably nice day for late October with some sunshine and temps into the 60's. OHCC is down to one course this year for the East Course renovation so it was a late start to the flocksome season.

We had a nice turnout with 9 players. Joining the group today were newbies Andrew Billone and Stu Harris. Stu has some RDGA and Locust Hill hardware on the shelf so the competition keeps getting tougher. Then again we've chewed up and spit out a few top golfers in their maiden voyage with the crew. 

Today was no exception as Stu failed to make a mark and was on the wrong end of the draw too many times. He played great but the putts didn't fall and that added up to a $40 loss. 

In other highlights: Brad McAreavy and Doug Evans chalked up 5 marks each to share the mark crown. Doug's day was made with a birdie, greenie, loner on #17 where he hit it to two feet (yes, we made him putt it). Brad made about 500 feet of putts. The biggest surprise of the day? Jim Mason. His loner on #14 failed when Brad made a 12 footer for birdie and Jim missed his 5 footer. It was a three hole carryover so the miss cost him a few $$. 

Game Summary:

West Course
9 players
carryover to next hole, 3 hole limit

Mark Leader: Brad McAreavy & Doug Evans 5 each
Total Marks: 15
Money Leader: McAreavy & Evans $46 each

What Happened to 2018??

The cold, wet & wind came early in 2018. From late October on it was 40ish and rainy every weekend. The one or two times a game was played I wasn't there or was too lazy to write about it.

2017 Tournament Round Up

2017 was a fantastic year for The Crew:

• RDGA Mid Am Champion: Tim Saur

•  Oak Hill CC Club Champion: Sean Flint 

• Oak Hill CC Senior Club Champion: John Schantz 

• Oak Hill CC Super Senior Champion: Tom Blank 

 

• Brook Lea CC Amateur Invite Champion: Shawn Baker

• Brook Lea CC Amateur Invite Senior Champion: John Schantz

•  RDGA Four Ball Champions: Tim Saur & Brad McAreavy

Honorable Mention:

• RDGA Senior Match Play Championship runner up: Brad McAreavy

• Jason Schantz for playng in the final group and finishing T-5 at the RDGA District Championship and for qualifying for the NYS Amateur Championship played at Bethpage Black.

Mr. 64

433 433 334 434 632 444

No. That's not code. That's what a 64 looks like. By 54 time club champion Carter Lucas. 54//!! No, not really 54. Let's just go with many time. Of course, he would add, "I couldn't even win the first flight this year".

But he did shoot 64, on the East.

It was a pleasure to be a witness. The birdies on 2,4 and 6 had maybe a combined 10 feet of made putts.

The Bad: A missed 4 footer for 3 on 10, a 6 on 13 from the middle of the fairway with a 9 iron.

The Good: How about 6ty freaking 4!! With a 30!! on the front nine. Carter had a putt at 63 and did not leave it short. He also made some bombs, so it all kind of evened out.

So to paraphrase an old saying: When you're out playing a round of golf and you get to 64, take a look around. Carter will be in the club house.

2016 Tournament Round Up

More tournament success for The Crew:

• Oak Hill CC Club Champion: JR McCarthy

• Oak Hill CC Senior Club Champion: John Schantz

• Oak Hill CC Super Senior Club Champion: Tom Blank

2015 Season Round Up

#1 West Course, some new and old faces for 2015, L to R: Dave Fries, Brad McAreavy, Tim Saur, Phil Yawman, Jim Mason, Mark Mijangos, Keith Knight, Carter Lucas, John Schantz, Sean Flint (DECEMBER!! 24, 2015)

Some of the faces have changed over the years but the game continues....minus my weekly commentary.

Keith Knight warming up for the days festivities

Above photos courtesy of Jason Schantz

Here it is the season summary. This may not be a complete summary since it includes only games where I attended. But t should be most of them. 

Should we act surprised at who leads the list for the year? Even without the ace Jim Mason would be the leader (meanwhile Carter is mumbling something about how many club championship he owns).

And for all the grumbling about getting beat by Bernie Quinn, you might want to check the standings.

A few highlights of the season:

It was long: From October 25 - December 26, a total of 18 games were played. As you can tell from the pictures above shorts were worn on December 24th!!

Best Shot: Hole-in-One, Jim Mason #14 West, 214 yards, Driver

Best Fall: Colm Murphy, locker room stairs

Shortest Drive: Keith Knight, #2 West, about 30 yards

Long Ball

Keith Knight #2 West   (Nov 27, 2015)

Couldn't resist taking and posting this photo of Keith's bomb off #2 West. Haven't seen any drives like this since my days on #18 with 12 carryovers and being the only person getting a stroke. Not sure what Keith's excuse is!!

It Finally Happened

Jim Mason #14 West (November 2015)

Yes, it finally happened. We've been doing this for 20+ years and no one has had the elusive ace. We decided long ago if it ever happened it's 10 marks and an automatic loner.

So on a cold (low to mid 40's) November day and 10 players, Jim Mason stepped up to the tee on #14 West. The pin was back and of course we were playing from  the tips so it was 214 yards downhill. Jim chose driver, hit a low runner that landed short, ran 70 feet, hit the pin and dropped.

Brad McAreavy was quoted as saying "what a lucky shot". Which is true but Jim hit exactly the shot he was trying to hit. It takes a little skill to try and hit a drive 190 in the air and have it run out.

So the suspense is over and I suppose its fitting Jim is the one to do it. 10 Marks, automatic loner with a three hole carryover and 10 players made it a $117 shot.

Nantucket!!

John Schantz, Parker Soule, Griff Owen @ Nantucket Golf Club

Griff Owen, John Schantz @ Sankaty Head Lighthouse, Nantucket

After my thrilling USGA qualifying experience I traveled to Albany to try and qualify for the NYS Mid Am. The qualifier was a success but I washed out in the first round as most of my shots did not get airborne. Amazing how fast the good vibes can disappear.

However, it was a blessing in disguise as I was able to depart for Nantucket a few days earlier than hoped for. Good friend Griff Owen had invited me to visit. Having never been to the Cape or Nantucket I readily agreed.

We had fabulous weather and played two fine golf courses: Miacomet and Nantucket Golf Club. After all the recent tournaments it was fun to just go out and enjoy the day with no expectations. Funny how no expectations and a positive attitude leads to good golf. I had a fine 75 at Miacomet that was marred only by a bizarre triple bogey 7. I followed that up the next day with a special 1 under 71 at Nantucket GC.

While it was fantastic to score well it was more fun just being out on some great courses in a beautiful setting with a good friend. I've always wondered what it would be like to play some links style courses where you can play it on the ground or in the air. Turns out to be great fun.

 

 

 

Good Knight, Again and Drinks on Carter - The Sequel

I didn't pick up the score card today so final results are an educated guess only.

Last we heard from Carter Lucas, then a 9 time club champion, he was buying drinks for the crew after ending up on the losing end of the game. One year later not much has changed except his club championship total now sits at 10.

After learning of Keith Knight's near record haul on Saturday, Carter got himself out to the course on a cool November day. While he certainly played some fine golf he managed to be on the wrong side at the wrong time.

Jim Mason bailed him out at #4 with a fine 15 foot birdie for a team win. But at #5 a Dave Fries birdie secured a field win against the 10 time champ and his partner Keith Knight.

#8 saw a virtual replay of Saturday's action, this time it was Bill Schuler instead of Kieth Knight hitting it to 3 feet and dumping me in favor of the loner. Today nobody could put the pressure on and Bill easily made the putt for 2 marks, a three hole carryover and a win worth $45.

Carter was taken down again when Bill Schuler selected him as partner on #9 and they could not match Rob Turner's birdie.

At #13 Captain Lucas took us all the way back. It looked like his luck might change but Bill rolled in a 7 footer to halve the hole for the field. 

We played #14 from all the way back and Schuler took home another greenie with a fine shot to 8 feet. Fortunately for the field Bill could not convert this time.

At #15 everyone was stroking except Carter.  McAreavey took us back to #17 East tee and (allegedly) bombed one down the middle.  In fact he was convinced he was down the hill and was calling for a loner before anyone else hit.  Considering it was 45 degrees and into the wind this seemed unlikely but we allowed him to live the fantasy. I hit a decent drive and his thoughts of taking a loner disappeared. Turns out I had out driven Brad by 10 yards! Both Brad and I missed the green then both nearly holed out our chip shots and made net 3's.  The field had four looks at net 3 from 6 feet and in but could not convert giving Brad and I a big three hole carryover win.

On #16 the Lucas luck (or lack thereof) continued as he was selected by Captain Quinn after another fine drive. It was looking like the hole would be tied with 4's when the world stopped spinning, the earth shook and the clouds parted.  Keith Knight, mark-less on the day, stepped up to his eagle chip from virtually the same spot he holed out from on Saturday and did it again!! A feat not likely accomplished before; back to back eagles on the same hole (and if it was done it certainly was not done with a wedge). Another field win and another loss for Lucas. Based on the long discussion he had with Brad on #17 tee the 10 time club champion's brain was starting to hurt trying total his losses.

We took it all the way back on #17 and Keith took the greenie hitting it to 18 feet from 218 yds. I took him as my partner but we could only manage a halve.

Bill Schuler teamed up with a stroking Rob Turner at #18.  Things did not look good when Rob started playing hockey around the green. But Bill, always one of the smoothest putters around, stepped up to his curling 20 foot par putt and made it for the tie.

Bill Schuler was the big winner on the day thanks to the clutch shot and good loner call on #8. I think he cashed in for $50+ on the day. Not Keith Knight territory but still a strong performance.

Keith Knight had another large day, pulling in $30+,  thanks to his 4 mark total on 16 & 17.  Meanwhile Bernie "The Mighty" Quinn gave back most, if not all, of his Saturday winnings.

At the end of the day Carter once again found himself on the drink check and he was last seen muttering to himself; still trying to figure out if Brad made a scoring error. He may be the 10 time club champion (and counting) but he hasn't cracked the C & C code yet.  I hope to not be around when he does.

Game Summary:

West Course
Players - 10 front, 9 back
Carryovers to next hole capped at 3

Total Marks - 20(?)

Mark leader - Undetermined
Overall Leader - Bill Schuler $50+

Good Knight and the Mighty Quinn

It's been a long time sports fans but the blog is back, if only for a day.We've had some rough weather this fall but a relatively decent day (mid 40's, no rain) brought the riff raff out for a contest. Keith Knight's recently departed mother implored him to get his lazy ass out of bed and go play the game he loves. I guess it pays to listen to your mother.

Proving why he always wants to change the rule regarding alphabetical order of the captaincy; Dr. David Fries captained the first hole and lost

On #3 Knight would suffer one of his few losses on the day as he and Jim Mason could not card a net 3.

On #4 things started to get interesting. From the back tee and playing 200 yards to a back pin Schantz hit it to 15 feet and was Jim's pick. It was very tempting to take a loner but common sense prevailed.  Good thing.

Keith had dumped his tee shot in the right, greenside bunker. Playing off some firm sand he flew it to the hole, it took one bounce, spun hard and right and dropped in for the double mark. I could not convert and the field won. Yes, you read that right, Keith holed out a bunker shot and it wouldn't even be his biggest shot of the day.

At #5 Dr. Mason would lose his third straight hole as the twosome (maybe a first?) when both Fries and newest member of the flock, Bernie Quinn, knocked down birdie putts. Jim would get a little revenge with a fine birdie at #7.  However, that was only good enough for a tie.

Schantz captained #8 and took the tee to the far right of the tee to knock out the drawers of the ball. After substantial negative feedback from Mr. Knight about his chances from such a tee position Keith managed to hit it to 4 feet. I selected him and was quickly dumped for the loner chance. Dr. Mason and I were on similar lines from 25 and 25 feet respectively. After getting the free read from my miss Jim once again proved he is the best putter around by making it from 25 feet.  Suddenly Keith's birdie, greenie, three hole carryover loner became a little more exciting. Unfazed, Keith buried the putt (well, maybe not buried but he did make it).

The ninth was captained by Joe Lovallo who was getting a stroke. He was advised to strongly consider "the best iron player at Oak Hill" (a.k.a. Dave Fries). Joe passed and paid. David hit it to 4 feet to lock down the two hole carryover win for the field.

Dr. Fries again carded the lone birdie, this time at #11 and the field took down the team of Lovallo and Kevin Gavigan for a three hole win.

Keith racked up his 5th mark at #12 with a drive and wedge from 40 yds. However, there was some controversy as Keith picked up his mark after his partner had carded a 4 for 3.  An unusually lenient decision was made to allow Kieth to replace his mark and have a run at birdie.

Dr. Mason, cruising along at even par or better for most of the day took his fourth team loss on #13 as he and Keith could not match a net 3.

Bernie Quinn missed a chance to score his second mark of the day at #14 when he 3-putted from 30 feet.

At #16 the dynamic duo from Home Properties really took it to the field. Keith's second shot finished 10 yds short and right of the green.  His chip shot floated onto the green, landed softly and rolled in for an eagle 3,  a three hole win, and his 6th,7th and 8th mark of the day. Five of them due to two wedge shots!!

At #17 Dr. Mason found himself on the wrong team again as I took him as my partner and watched the last player, Bernie Quinn hit it to 8 feet (from 215 into the wind) and made the putt for two marks. Fortunately, there were no carryovers.

When the final tally was in Keith Knight had put together one of the all time C&C days with 8 marks and $74 in winnings. In fact it was a record day as Keith's $53 in mark winnings eclipses Jim Mason's $46 from 2004. 

Thanks to Joe Lovallo, Kevin Gavigan and Tom Puleo for playing in the mark game.... and contributing $19 each.  Honorable mention to 10 (cough, cough) handicap Bernie Quinn with 3 marks and $33.50 in winnings.

Lastly, let's all shed a tear for Dr. Mason who fired a one under 70 but lost $7 on the day.

Game Summary:

West Course
Players 8
Carryovers to next hole capped at 3

Total Marks 19

Mark leader - Keith Knight 8
Overall Leader - Keith Knight $74