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?