Again, and for the 6th consecutive year, the weather was warm and sunny with temps in the mid 80's. And, again, the hole in one pot went uncollected. Thrity one tries, 310 shots (plus a couple hundred more in warm-ups), several close, but nothing in. There was $267 in available prize money but only $105 was won leaving $162 in the Hole - In - One account. Next year that pot could reach $200!
Normally, the golf course is "hayed" in early July, leaving about three weeks to prepare the course and events. There were two major factors this year that left the greens committee with barely TWELVE HOURS to get things in order. One had to do with the weather, the other with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
During June and July the forecasted drought (probably Bush's fault, according to Glenis) never really materialized (Bush's fault too, according to Glenis). In fact, it seemed that June and July were two of the wettest months this year: perfect for growing hay and grass. And everything did grow wonderfully. Unfortunately, the greens keeper suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon on May 25th with a surgical repair on June 1st. So with the weather and the injury, golf course maintenance was at a standstill.
To insure that the hay doesn't rot after cutting, we need about 4 nice days in a row. With the tourney scheduled for the 17th and the hay not cut as of the 12th, plans were being made to modify the format cutting some events. Fortunately, harvesting started that evening with all the hay being cut late Wednesday afternoon. By Friday afternoon the hay was wind rowed then baled but had to be picked up as rain was forecasted for Saturday morning. In 2004 we got 178 bales but this year - 334! Big job coming up.
Saturday morning we awoke to a good hard rain. Unless the weather broke, the 6th Annual Black Eagle Invitational was in jeopardy. Fortunately the weather cooperated, and even more fortunately, the greens keeper got some excellent help. Billy M., the Head Pro from the Royal and Ancient Muckabout Golf & C. C. in Tockton, England and Sarco P., the touring pro from Pasadena Putt-Putt Golf rose to the challenge and working into the late evening and again Sunday morning, the tourney was on! I heard the greens keeper say that without them, there would have been no tourney. He was right! Could not have done it without them. Anne J., the lady pro from Goats Do Roam Country Club in Sydney, Australia was amazed at how much was accomplished by such incompetants. The real trooper since the 25th of May is Glenis, who put up with the greenskeeper for the last two months.
So thanks to all who came and brought stuff and participated and a special thanks to Colt T., who stepped up and volunteered to do the cooking. Unfortunately, he set one of the two BBQ's on fire and will be billed $379.95 to replace it. The burgers and dogs were fantastic though!
Now for the results:
Men"s Low Score: Tom M. 9 under par $16
Women's Low Score: Diane K., Even par $14
Long Drive:
Men: 300' Tom M. $8
Women: 342' Cindy W, $8
Most Putts:
Men: 5 Trevor P. $18
Women: 5 Diane K. $14
Closest To:
Men: Rick M. 2' - 4" $5
Women: Sharon V. 2' - 10' $4
Chip In:
Men: 1 Tom M. $8
Women: 1 Diane K. $5
Sand Shot:
Men: 1 Tom M. $5
Women 0 $5 to Hole In 1 Pot
Great view from the 10th Tee! Let's see, from right to left; Bill W., Cindy W.. Bob C., Cindy B., Sheena W, Sharon V., Billy M., Laurene, and Viv and Sarco just behind. The men's course record stands at 15 under.
Tom M., the eventual Men's Winner at 9 under par, was aiming for a spot just above his club head. He dumped it in the water, took a penalty stroke and played on to victory.
Jim B, sheilding himself and wife Cindy from
potential harm. Cindy W. was trying the
low draw but hit a high fade instead. Cindy W.
holds the women's course record, 8 under par. .
This is Diane K., newcomer to the tourney and Women's Winner at Even Par, going for it on the back nine.
The Men's and Women's winners played in the same foursome.....hmmmmm.
Here's perrenial favorite Bill W., trying to get it closer than 2' - 4" at the 55 yard Closest To Event. He had a couple inside of four feet but.... Bill did manage a tie with Craig K. (below) for second place with a 7 under par round. Bill's son Eric, holds the tournament record of 15 under par.
Cindy B.is giving the Hole On One a go. Playing at 94 yards this year, Cindy used a 5 metal and got one fairly close. The 4 foot circle wins again;
310 to nothing.
The Putting Contest putt this year was a 7 foot, right to left breaker on perfectly flat indoor-outdoor carpet.Probably an 11 or 12 on the Stimpmeter, inside left edge and firm should have gotten it done. Maybe it was the tricky shadows?? Funny thing is, Diane K.., after hitting about 2000 putts with her normal stroke and getting a nasty stiff back, stood upright and using just one hand made five in a row and won! Go figure.
The fine young man at the left, Trevor P., also new to the tourney this year, managed a win in the putting contest with five in a row also. If you do a google search using his name, you will find that he is an Olympic Class runner with some very impressive wins under his belt. Also coming up in that search, is a member of an Australian crime family with the same name.
