Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
GGW Gets Blown Away: by Nate Curry
GGW Blown Away At Deer Creek
2011 GGW Event No. 2
Golf is a difficult game to play even in perfect conditions. GGW Tour Events have been played in Brutal Cold, Torrential Rain and Oppressive Heat. You Golfers Gone Wild have played in all types of weather and not one of you has ever been known to make excuses.
However, the 20-40 mile wind gusts this past Sunday, April 10 at Deer Creek Golf Club in University Park, made playing golf rather unfair. Crosswinds moved some balls 100 feet across the fairways. Players were forced to hit into the teeth of blustery breezes. Several shots wound up severely short or blew completely off target. Fact of the matter, GGW was almost Blown Away at Deer Creek.
Ask any golfer what is the worst golf hazard to deal with. Ahead of water, sand bunkers, thick rough, hot or cold weather, you will get gusty Wind. Wind affects the aerodynamics of the golf ball, swing thoughts, and club selection on every shot. Unlike water and sand and trees and rough, Wind is not a stationary hazard and Wind Gusts are not even a consistent hazard.
Scores reflected a tough day to golf. No player shot under net par. Collectively we managed to record only 13% of holes at par or better with a single birdie hole among us. Still somebody had to win the second GGW Event of the 2011 season. That somebody was Quick Draw. Perry used his formidable cut shot into the wind and outstanding play from sand traps to record a net 76. This was Quick Draw’s first victory this year and ninth of his career on tour with the GGW.
Silent Assassin came in second a mere 0.3 of a net stroke behind. Playing in the final group and finishing under threatening skies, Silent Assassin found his target enough to post an outstanding 48 on the back nine. TaylorMade Kid continued his outstanding early season play with a 91 net 77; including 5 pars and the 1 birdie. Also finishing in the money were Rifleman (net 79) and Way Cool (net 80). Both looked GQ, Super Fly, like sponsored professional golfers; at least from the first tee.
Of special note was the low round of the day turned in by Steady Eddie (88). Mixson showed remarkable ability to hold his draw shot in wind and hit greens in regulation. Once his putting woes were steadied, Eddie went on to win 11 skins. When he gets his official GGW handicap, Steady Eddie could be in the mix for several awards. Country Strong and TaylorMade Kid each won 3 skins. Quick Draw won 1.
Given the extreme windy conditions, the remainder of the field would normally be excused. But, Lucky Lefty (net 82), Cadillac Blue (net 88), Kappatain Styles (net 89), Double D (net 90) and Grade A (net 92); all really had no excuse for piss poor play; as they posted scores that were completely blown away.
GGW did record match play results for five of eight week No. 2 matches.
Lucky Lefty won both handicap and scratch matches from Kappatain Styles.
Cadillac Blue won both handicap and scratch matches from Grade A.
Silent Assassin won both handicap and scratch matches over Rifleman.
Way Cool split with Country Strong, winning net and losing scratch.
Quick Draw split with Steady Eddie, winning net and losing scratch.
Actually, Quick Draw’s net 76 is the highest recorded winning net score in GGW history. Previous winning high nets were recorded at much tougher courses like Lost Marsh and Balmoral Woods. We should not have generated this many big numbers even at a gusty Deer Creek. “It was Too Windy”; a marginal excuse at best. If GGW lets you go with that this week. What will it be next weekend...…Too Cloudy?
2011 GGW Event No. 2
Golf is a difficult game to play even in perfect conditions. GGW Tour Events have been played in Brutal Cold, Torrential Rain and Oppressive Heat. You Golfers Gone Wild have played in all types of weather and not one of you has ever been known to make excuses.
However, the 20-40 mile wind gusts this past Sunday, April 10 at Deer Creek Golf Club in University Park, made playing golf rather unfair. Crosswinds moved some balls 100 feet across the fairways. Players were forced to hit into the teeth of blustery breezes. Several shots wound up severely short or blew completely off target. Fact of the matter, GGW was almost Blown Away at Deer Creek.
Ask any golfer what is the worst golf hazard to deal with. Ahead of water, sand bunkers, thick rough, hot or cold weather, you will get gusty Wind. Wind affects the aerodynamics of the golf ball, swing thoughts, and club selection on every shot. Unlike water and sand and trees and rough, Wind is not a stationary hazard and Wind Gusts are not even a consistent hazard.
Scores reflected a tough day to golf. No player shot under net par. Collectively we managed to record only 13% of holes at par or better with a single birdie hole among us. Still somebody had to win the second GGW Event of the 2011 season. That somebody was Quick Draw. Perry used his formidable cut shot into the wind and outstanding play from sand traps to record a net 76. This was Quick Draw’s first victory this year and ninth of his career on tour with the GGW.
Silent Assassin came in second a mere 0.3 of a net stroke behind. Playing in the final group and finishing under threatening skies, Silent Assassin found his target enough to post an outstanding 48 on the back nine. TaylorMade Kid continued his outstanding early season play with a 91 net 77; including 5 pars and the 1 birdie. Also finishing in the money were Rifleman (net 79) and Way Cool (net 80). Both looked GQ, Super Fly, like sponsored professional golfers; at least from the first tee.
Of special note was the low round of the day turned in by Steady Eddie (88). Mixson showed remarkable ability to hold his draw shot in wind and hit greens in regulation. Once his putting woes were steadied, Eddie went on to win 11 skins. When he gets his official GGW handicap, Steady Eddie could be in the mix for several awards. Country Strong and TaylorMade Kid each won 3 skins. Quick Draw won 1.
Given the extreme windy conditions, the remainder of the field would normally be excused. But, Lucky Lefty (net 82), Cadillac Blue (net 88), Kappatain Styles (net 89), Double D (net 90) and Grade A (net 92); all really had no excuse for piss poor play; as they posted scores that were completely blown away.
GGW did record match play results for five of eight week No. 2 matches.
Lucky Lefty won both handicap and scratch matches from Kappatain Styles.
Cadillac Blue won both handicap and scratch matches from Grade A.
Silent Assassin won both handicap and scratch matches over Rifleman.
Way Cool split with Country Strong, winning net and losing scratch.
Quick Draw split with Steady Eddie, winning net and losing scratch.
Actually, Quick Draw’s net 76 is the highest recorded winning net score in GGW history. Previous winning high nets were recorded at much tougher courses like Lost Marsh and Balmoral Woods. We should not have generated this many big numbers even at a gusty Deer Creek. “It was Too Windy”; a marginal excuse at best. If GGW lets you go with that this week. What will it be next weekend...…Too Cloudy?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Opening Day – TaylorMade Kid on First Honor Roll
Opening Day – TaylorMade Kid on First Honor Roll
2011 GGW Event No. 1
Opening Day is so exciting. GGW didn’t care about the weather, course conditions, or cost. It was time to get this season started. See which of us have improved, find out who among us is better, and determine what players will earn 2011 Year End Honors.
On Saturday, April 2, twelve members of Golfers Gone Wild took to a familiar course, to play a traditional season opening round at University Golf Club and Conference Center in University Park. April in Chicago is always unpredictable. The Cubs opening day featured wind and rain. They had to clear snow before the White Sox took the field. We all surely wished for the 80+ degree days in Arizona and Florida. But if the GGW Scheduler says play, we play.
For the GGW, if waiting for the winter golf trip like a little kid waiting for Christmas, Opening Day is more like the first day of school. You remember the first day of school. Every year, even in cold weather, you dress to look your best. You try to remember any of your lessons from last year. But you hope you won’t be called on to execute a tough shot until you get back in the swing of things.
However, there are always those overachieving students. Kids, who go to summer school, study every day and on practice on weekends. Kids, who are ready to answer any questions about their game, and raise the curve for the rest of us. For the GGW, leading these overachievers was the TaylorMade Kid.
Charles Taylor picked up where he left on in Florida, with an impressive 82 (net 67) to win the 1st GGW Event of this our 5th season as a Tour. TaylorMade Kid turned long drives and clutch putts into 8 pars and 1 birdie on #18, to lead in almost every statistical category. If Taylor continues to make Honor Roll for the remainder of the spring, the rest of the GGW might be playing for second chair by July.
Also with High Honors was Bigg Dogg, the defending 2010 Player of the Year. Bigg Dogg prevented a complete opening day sweep by shooting an 86 (net 69). Lonnie also had 8 pars and led all players with 8 skins. He did not appear to have forgotten any lessons, and may prove a tough out in 2011.
Way Cool ‘s score indicates he should be in Advanced Placement, shooting a net 69 and finishing third. This was curiously well ahead of his scores from last year with a 3 under par net. Way Cool, who upon direct examination stated, “he had not touched a golf club since October”, still carded a stellar 93; The administration has no proof, but we hope Way Cool eventually comes clean about how he spent his winter vacation.
A few other students earned passing grades. Rifleman, always any Teacher’s Pet, shot 99 (net par 72). Professor Martin Hall would be proud. Country Strong, hoping to recover from almost being left back last year, shot a neat 94 (net 73), had birdie on #2 and won two skins. Cadillac Blue, who does just enough work to get by, shot a pedestrian 97 (net 74). Quick Draw also played like a confirmed C student, carded 95 (net 75). And for now we will give the newcomer in class, Steady Eddie a pat on the back for his 91, birdie on #5 and three skins.
Then we get to those GGW kids who may need to ride to school on the short bus.
Former Players of the Year, Silent Assassin (100) and Lucky Lefty (103 net 86), have got to get their acts together and stop hanging with the wrong crowd. Do they want a future in golf course maintenance? Wendell Mays (102) demonstrated need for some remediation. And Kappatain Styles turned in totally unsatisfactory work (105 net 86). If he continues on this path, he may have to change his GGW major from Golf Science to something easier like, Music & Video Arts.
Next weekend, Golfers Gone Wild Tour will travel for further education at Deer Creek Golf Course in University Park, Illinois. It is a long season and the first day is always overly exaggerated. Still, try harder and don’t fall too far behind the other ultra-competitive players in the GGW Class of 2011.
2011 GGW Event No. 1
Opening Day is so exciting. GGW didn’t care about the weather, course conditions, or cost. It was time to get this season started. See which of us have improved, find out who among us is better, and determine what players will earn 2011 Year End Honors.
On Saturday, April 2, twelve members of Golfers Gone Wild took to a familiar course, to play a traditional season opening round at University Golf Club and Conference Center in University Park. April in Chicago is always unpredictable. The Cubs opening day featured wind and rain. They had to clear snow before the White Sox took the field. We all surely wished for the 80+ degree days in Arizona and Florida. But if the GGW Scheduler says play, we play.
For the GGW, if waiting for the winter golf trip like a little kid waiting for Christmas, Opening Day is more like the first day of school. You remember the first day of school. Every year, even in cold weather, you dress to look your best. You try to remember any of your lessons from last year. But you hope you won’t be called on to execute a tough shot until you get back in the swing of things.
However, there are always those overachieving students. Kids, who go to summer school, study every day and on practice on weekends. Kids, who are ready to answer any questions about their game, and raise the curve for the rest of us. For the GGW, leading these overachievers was the TaylorMade Kid.
Charles Taylor picked up where he left on in Florida, with an impressive 82 (net 67) to win the 1st GGW Event of this our 5th season as a Tour. TaylorMade Kid turned long drives and clutch putts into 8 pars and 1 birdie on #18, to lead in almost every statistical category. If Taylor continues to make Honor Roll for the remainder of the spring, the rest of the GGW might be playing for second chair by July.
Also with High Honors was Bigg Dogg, the defending 2010 Player of the Year. Bigg Dogg prevented a complete opening day sweep by shooting an 86 (net 69). Lonnie also had 8 pars and led all players with 8 skins. He did not appear to have forgotten any lessons, and may prove a tough out in 2011.
Way Cool ‘s score indicates he should be in Advanced Placement, shooting a net 69 and finishing third. This was curiously well ahead of his scores from last year with a 3 under par net. Way Cool, who upon direct examination stated, “he had not touched a golf club since October”, still carded a stellar 93; The administration has no proof, but we hope Way Cool eventually comes clean about how he spent his winter vacation.
A few other students earned passing grades. Rifleman, always any Teacher’s Pet, shot 99 (net par 72). Professor Martin Hall would be proud. Country Strong, hoping to recover from almost being left back last year, shot a neat 94 (net 73), had birdie on #2 and won two skins. Cadillac Blue, who does just enough work to get by, shot a pedestrian 97 (net 74). Quick Draw also played like a confirmed C student, carded 95 (net 75). And for now we will give the newcomer in class, Steady Eddie a pat on the back for his 91, birdie on #5 and three skins.
Then we get to those GGW kids who may need to ride to school on the short bus.
Former Players of the Year, Silent Assassin (100) and Lucky Lefty (103 net 86), have got to get their acts together and stop hanging with the wrong crowd. Do they want a future in golf course maintenance? Wendell Mays (102) demonstrated need for some remediation. And Kappatain Styles turned in totally unsatisfactory work (105 net 86). If he continues on this path, he may have to change his GGW major from Golf Science to something easier like, Music & Video Arts.
Next weekend, Golfers Gone Wild Tour will travel for further education at Deer Creek Golf Course in University Park, Illinois. It is a long season and the first day is always overly exaggerated. Still, try harder and don’t fall too far behind the other ultra-competitive players in the GGW Class of 2011.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
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