Conventional Wisdom recognizes that golfers who play the same course get more advantages than just the occasional “member’s bounce”.
Golfers Gone Wild Tour stopped at Coyote Run for the third straight week on Sunday, October 25.
Three straight weeks at the same venue makes the 5900 yard par 71 layout in Flossmoor, the closest thing all the GGW has had to get “home” course advantage.
Three players (Nate, Ron and Perry) who all live within a well struck 3 wood of the course; took full advantage. The final was close, but in the end, it was Cadillac Blue who came through with the victory.
Cadillac Blue hit 7 pars on the day; including three in a row at the end to finish off the competition. Curry shot a net 63 for his second victory on Tour this season. Close behind by a mere ½ stroke was Quick Draw. Perry had the same raw score and an almost identical scorecard, but a slightly lower handicap, left him with net 63.6. Country Strong had the best scratch round of the day (83), but finished almost one net stroke behind at 64.
All players in the field seemed to benefit from the recent familiarity of Coyote Run. Experienced players avoided “sucker” pin placements, putted tough greens and chose correct clubs on most holes. Few found hazards and everyone was well aware of hidden dangers. Scores reflected as much. Every player broke net par.
Silent Assassin and Taylor Made Kid shot 69. Rifleman shot net 70 and Lucky Lefty managed a net 71.
Rifleman and Quick Draw won 3 skins each. Rifleman shot a birdie on #14 par 5 and Quick Draw made par on #3. TaylorMade Kid won 4 skins with a par on the tough #9.
However, Country Strong won the most skins on the day. Ron came into the match as the season skins leader with 80, leading by only 3. But, Country Strong hit a chip in birdie on #5 that even Miller would say was “lucky” for 2 skins. And, after another blown birdie putt by Cadillac Blue on #18, Ron’s last hole par along with his pushed birdie on #17, was good for 4 more skins.
Country Strong stretched his lead over TaylorMade Kid to five going into the last week of the season. With both, TaylorMade Kid and Lucky Lefty finishing out of the money, the Kid was also denied an outside shot of catching Lefty for the GGW Points Lead.
On Sunday, Coyote Run had some good play, a tight finish but some sadness as with the coming end of the golf season. And to add further insult, by the time we got to the clubhouse, the Beloved Chicago Bears were getting trounced 31-3 at half-time. At least there was free pizza at the 19th hole.
Next weekend, you have one last chance at a GGW Tour victory before the start of the golf silly season. Conventional Wisdom also recognizes that winter in Chicago is five long months and there is only so much golf channel to watch.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Event No. 27: Sam Celebrates His 63rd by Shooting a 63 at Coyote Run * Posted by Nate on October 30, 2009 at 3:37pm in GGW Report (Change)
Golfers Gone Wild returned to Coyote Run Golf Course for the third time this season on Sunday, October 18. Just like last week, eight of the GGW met to take up the challenge of the course located in Flossmoor. But this week we made extra plans to celebrate Silent Assassin’s birthday later in Olympia Fields.
Grade A threw down the gauntlet and let him know for all of us that good wishes end at the first tee box. But at the GGW we’re all friends here. We let him win skin on the first hole. Then we let him shoot a 43 on the front nine. Then we let him hit three pars in a row on the back nine. By the end of the round, it seemed GGW let the Silent Assassin celebrate his 63rd birthday by shooting a net 63.
The Silent Assassin won his second tour event of the year, easily distancing the field by 7 net strokes and tied for low gross with 89. Country Strong also tied with low gross and finished second with a 69.5 net. TaylorMade Kid was third less than a stroke behind with 69.8 after applying handicap index.
Cadillac Blue (net 71) and The Gambler (net 72) were also competitive at Coyote Run. Rifleman and Grade A finished with identical 103 gross scores and both were over net par.
Six players won skins on Sunday. TaylorMade Kid led the way with 6 skins using a key birdie at #17. Silent Assassin won 5 skins with a crucial par putt on #7, rated the hardest hole on the course. Solo pars gave The Gambler 2 skins and Cadillac Blue 1 skin. Country Strong won 3 skins with solo pars at #10, #11 and #12 and maintained his season long skins lead.
After the round, Country Strong hosted the GGW at his home to watch the Bears game. Ron gave us only one rule; don’t damage anything in the house. We were all good until shortly after halftime when Chuck combined to fumble a drink exchange injuring a completely innocent area rug. Regardless, everyone made it home without further mishap, but only Sam left a winner; just like we planned.
Actually, if we let Sam win this year, I guess the GGW must have let him win seven times last year too. Anyway, next week, the GGW Tour makes a third straight trip to Coyote Run. There are only two weeks of the official 2009 golf season tour. Since no one has anything else to celebrate. There is just enough time for you to get that last win.
Grade A threw down the gauntlet and let him know for all of us that good wishes end at the first tee box. But at the GGW we’re all friends here. We let him win skin on the first hole. Then we let him shoot a 43 on the front nine. Then we let him hit three pars in a row on the back nine. By the end of the round, it seemed GGW let the Silent Assassin celebrate his 63rd birthday by shooting a net 63.
The Silent Assassin won his second tour event of the year, easily distancing the field by 7 net strokes and tied for low gross with 89. Country Strong also tied with low gross and finished second with a 69.5 net. TaylorMade Kid was third less than a stroke behind with 69.8 after applying handicap index.
Cadillac Blue (net 71) and The Gambler (net 72) were also competitive at Coyote Run. Rifleman and Grade A finished with identical 103 gross scores and both were over net par.
Six players won skins on Sunday. TaylorMade Kid led the way with 6 skins using a key birdie at #17. Silent Assassin won 5 skins with a crucial par putt on #7, rated the hardest hole on the course. Solo pars gave The Gambler 2 skins and Cadillac Blue 1 skin. Country Strong won 3 skins with solo pars at #10, #11 and #12 and maintained his season long skins lead.
After the round, Country Strong hosted the GGW at his home to watch the Bears game. Ron gave us only one rule; don’t damage anything in the house. We were all good until shortly after halftime when Chuck combined to fumble a drink exchange injuring a completely innocent area rug. Regardless, everyone made it home without further mishap, but only Sam left a winner; just like we planned.
Actually, if we let Sam win this year, I guess the GGW must have let him win seven times last year too. Anyway, next week, the GGW Tour makes a third straight trip to Coyote Run. There are only two weeks of the official 2009 golf season tour. Since no one has anything else to celebrate. There is just enough time for you to get that last win.
Event No. 26: Lucky Lefty Lengthens Lead at Coyote Run Posted by Nate on October 30, 2009 at 3:37pm in GGW Report
You Golfers Gone Wild took to the links again on Saturday, October 10. Eight of the GGW braved windy conditions and cool temperatures. To avoid falling leaves that is always a part of the fall season in Chicago land, the tournament director chose Coyote Run in Flossmoor as host for the year’s 26th event.
Our first event this year in April was played in similar conditions. Lucky Lefty won that event and has been atop of the GGW Cup Points every week since. However, recent stretches of mediocre play and return to form by the TaylorMade Kid; caused Miller’s once healthy lead to dwindle.
At tee time, missing were challengers Country Strong and Kappatain Styles. Another cold day would make the last few weeks interesting.
But, not only did Lucky Lefty rise to the occasion, he obliterated the field. Shooting 80 scratch including a sizzling 38 on the back nine, Miller set new records for net score and victory margin.
Coming in second place almost 16 net strokes behind, was Quick Draw. An average day for Perry and so-so play from the rest, combined to create a finish much to his surprise. Way Cool returned from two weeks on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list to capture third place with a net 73.
Silent Assassin (76), TaylorMade Kid (76) and Rifleman (79) rounded out the remainder of an uninspired field.
Although only six played in the Tournament, eight players competed for skins. Lucky Lefty won five skins with two back nine birdies at #14 and #17. TaylorMade Kid and Rifleman won four skins each. Cadillac Blue and Kappatain Styles did not compete for the Tour win, but both were able to capture skins. GGW let Cadillac get away with three with birdie on #4 and K Styles stole two with birdie on #16.
Next week, the GGW Tour makes it back to back events at Coyote Run. There are only a final few weeks of the 2009 golf season left.
After destroying the field on Saturday, the only question remain is will Lucky Lefty post a wire-to-wire lead in GGW Points? Country Strong is the season long skins leader and usually wins enough each week to hold on. TaylorMade Kid is all but crowned Match Play Champion.
While not singing, the fat lady is certainly humming for most award categories. Still a win is a win. Let’s fight to the finish. And we all know winning is its own reward.
Our first event this year in April was played in similar conditions. Lucky Lefty won that event and has been atop of the GGW Cup Points every week since. However, recent stretches of mediocre play and return to form by the TaylorMade Kid; caused Miller’s once healthy lead to dwindle.
At tee time, missing were challengers Country Strong and Kappatain Styles. Another cold day would make the last few weeks interesting.
But, not only did Lucky Lefty rise to the occasion, he obliterated the field. Shooting 80 scratch including a sizzling 38 on the back nine, Miller set new records for net score and victory margin.
Coming in second place almost 16 net strokes behind, was Quick Draw. An average day for Perry and so-so play from the rest, combined to create a finish much to his surprise. Way Cool returned from two weeks on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list to capture third place with a net 73.
Silent Assassin (76), TaylorMade Kid (76) and Rifleman (79) rounded out the remainder of an uninspired field.
Although only six played in the Tournament, eight players competed for skins. Lucky Lefty won five skins with two back nine birdies at #14 and #17. TaylorMade Kid and Rifleman won four skins each. Cadillac Blue and Kappatain Styles did not compete for the Tour win, but both were able to capture skins. GGW let Cadillac get away with three with birdie on #4 and K Styles stole two with birdie on #16.
Next week, the GGW Tour makes it back to back events at Coyote Run. There are only a final few weeks of the 2009 golf season left.
After destroying the field on Saturday, the only question remain is will Lucky Lefty post a wire-to-wire lead in GGW Points? Country Strong is the season long skins leader and usually wins enough each week to hold on. TaylorMade Kid is all but crowned Match Play Champion.
While not singing, the fat lady is certainly humming for most award categories. Still a win is a win. Let’s fight to the finish. And we all know winning is its own reward.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Event No. 24: The Gambler Gets Paid at Palmira * Posted by Nate on September 24, 2009 at 7:19pm in GGW Report (Change)
Most difficult golf courses are designed to force a player into a risk/reward choice. Take the risk, execute the shot, get the reward. Combine a gentleman’s wager on a risk/reward golf course and you ratchet up the pressure to perform.
Golfers Gone Wild took on Palmira Golf Course in St. John, Indiana on Saturday, September 19. A field of 8 players chanced what is always a tough place to play for those who bomb and gouge. Add to this mix, fast greens, plentiful sand traps and water hazards, creates a risky challenge for the GGW.
The Gambler avoided the risks and was rewarded with his first victory on Tour. Using his familiar 5 wood on almost every hole, The Gambler shot an 84 (net 64), including a blistering 39 on the front side while taking home first place money. Two shots behind was the TaylorMade Kid, who hit the ball as well as he has all season. Country Strong (net 76) and Silent Assassin (net 77) finished in third and fourth places.
The rest of the field was rewarded with nothing but trouble. Big triple digit scores were carded by Kappatain Styles, Lucky Lefty, Quick Draw and Double D. WTF, did none of these players have any trumps to play? At least this group was well dressed. However, as golfers, all were proven to just be bluffing from the first tee.
The first three were also the only golfers getting paid for skins wins. Country Strong won 5 skins and The Gambler won 6. But TaylorMade Kid won 7 skins to take over the tour lead with 67.
Palmira plays to the strengths of those who know the course and can manage the risks of a tough track. It’s a course where you can’t go “all in”. With his superior short game and the win, The Gambler Got Paid at Palmira. The GGW Tour resumes this Saturday at Silver Lakes in Orland Park. Are you willing to manage the risks and claim the winner’s reward; or will you cut your losses, fold your hand and lie on the couch?
Golfers Gone Wild took on Palmira Golf Course in St. John, Indiana on Saturday, September 19. A field of 8 players chanced what is always a tough place to play for those who bomb and gouge. Add to this mix, fast greens, plentiful sand traps and water hazards, creates a risky challenge for the GGW.
The Gambler avoided the risks and was rewarded with his first victory on Tour. Using his familiar 5 wood on almost every hole, The Gambler shot an 84 (net 64), including a blistering 39 on the front side while taking home first place money. Two shots behind was the TaylorMade Kid, who hit the ball as well as he has all season. Country Strong (net 76) and Silent Assassin (net 77) finished in third and fourth places.
The rest of the field was rewarded with nothing but trouble. Big triple digit scores were carded by Kappatain Styles, Lucky Lefty, Quick Draw and Double D. WTF, did none of these players have any trumps to play? At least this group was well dressed. However, as golfers, all were proven to just be bluffing from the first tee.
The first three were also the only golfers getting paid for skins wins. Country Strong won 5 skins and The Gambler won 6. But TaylorMade Kid won 7 skins to take over the tour lead with 67.
Palmira plays to the strengths of those who know the course and can manage the risks of a tough track. It’s a course where you can’t go “all in”. With his superior short game and the win, The Gambler Got Paid at Palmira. The GGW Tour resumes this Saturday at Silver Lakes in Orland Park. Are you willing to manage the risks and claim the winner’s reward; or will you cut your losses, fold your hand and lie on the couch?
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