Counting Holes Isn't Everything

 

When I do this Men's Night update quickly, I often write a little bit more than just the results. Such is the case this week. If this doesn't appeal to you skip to the last three paragraphs.

This image at the start of this blog is an excellent representation of why most of us golf. It is quite accurate for me other than the walking down the fairway part. I only walk on the golf course when my cart breaks down during the round.

Take this last Wednesday for instance. As is often the case, I got out at 2:00 pm and was joined by three friends. Another joined us for the Men's Night round. When that was finished, we joined five other guys for two-man best ball. We played until it was too dark to see. 

Throughout the afternoon and evening, there were both good and bad shots and small amounts of money changed hands to pay off wagers. At the end of the day, it didn't matter what your score was or how you played. The important was that we got to hang out with some friends on a nice day in July doing something that we enjoyed.

Last year I started tracking the holes that I played. As of Wednesday, I have 1239 holes over 47 times golfing. At the same time last year I had 1125 holes and finished with 1818. While my goal isn't to get to a certain number, it is to play as much as I can. We spend our long and cold winters looking outside wishing the weather was better. We need to take advantage of it when it is good. Also, I don't want to make the hole tracking a competition, especially given that Scott Martin has 1454 holes in as of today.

One noteworthy thing about my 1239 holes this year, only 18 were played on my own. Two times I went out and played nine. On both occasions I found it a bit boring and wished I was playing with someone else.  I tried playing an extra ball but that just seemed to extend the boredom.

On Wednesday I played 51 holes for the day. There were 25 others who joined me for the official Men's Night round. The vast majority of those out played a bit either before or after Men's Night

Skins went on four holes. Jason Gorrell / Noah Street won $20.00 for #4. Jason's win was assisted by his chip in eagle on the par 5 hole. Other winners included Stephen David / Mike Susinski ($39.38) on #7 and Robin Kimpinski / Ron Sopko ($20.00 on #8, $85.63 on # 9).

Closest to the pins were Scott Maynes on #5 and Robin Kimpinski on #9. Both scored twos on the evening to share the $50.75 deuce pot with three others - Cubby Bartram, Brad Benton, and Pete Ostash.

The ringer board ends on August 25 so those involved need to start thinking about locking up some scores. Rob Kimpinski added another birdie to get his season total to -7 with three holes to record. Brad Benton is one stroke behind at -6 while Darcy Kowalchuk and Scott Maynes are both at -5.

Revenge of the Dummy

Last week, the infamous dummy card struck again. It presents itself when we have an odd number of golfers. Sometimes it is helpful and allows someone to win a skin on their own. Other times it isn’t so kind. Such was the case on Wednesday.

Jason Gorrell had a great two on the par 4 first hole. He paired with someone who birdied for a net 5. Normally -3 on a single hole would be a guaranteed win. However, Jason was also the middle score of 37 golfers. As the middle score, we replicated his card and called it the “Dummy”. Jason’s card went to the low pot and his dummy went to the high pot where it also paired with someone who had a birdie on 1. So the two combined 5’s pushed.

On a positive note, the first hole wasn't worth much...just $23.13. Also, Jason also split the $69.38 deuce pot with Keith Martin.

Closest to the holes were Montana Sutherland on #5 and Scott Maynes on #9. 

Skins went on three holes. Winners included Jay Bell / Logan Tanner ($48.13 on #3), Dale Martin / Darcy Kowalchuk ($48.13 on #4), and Theoren Hunter / Sonny Blackbird ($48.13 on # 8.

There are five weeks remaining to get scores entered on the ringer board. If you don't get scores in for particular holes you automatically get assigned triple bogies.

Our annual horse race tournament is Saturday, August 14. We had to move from our regular day in July due to uncertainty about the health orders. We recognize that this may create conflicts for some people. Anyone interested in signing up for the Horse Race is asked to call or text Stephen David at 847-0161.

Holy Smokes!

Since Men's Night is in one day, I need to do this writeup for last week. As I type away, I see that the forecast for tomorrow is "Mainly cloudy. Widespread smoke". Interestingly, the layer of smoke will knock the daytime high down to 22 Celsius despite a humidex of 30. Other than the smell, the smoke doesn't bother me but I am sure that there are others who don't fare so well. It is likely not a fun time to be asthmatic.

Manitoba golf conditions are so varied. We hit balls with snow still on the ground while also playing during heat waves. Wind is so frequent that it throws you off a bit when it is calm on the course. But smoke is a whole different thing. From what I have read, it is relatively safe to be out golfing in such conditions as long as you don't have a pre-existing condition or vulnerability.

On a positive note, it has rained fairly steady today and that has the potential to reduce the smoke in the air. Let's hope it continues raining through the night to clean the air and to give farmers a much needed soaking.

Last week, we had a season high of 40 golfers. One neat thing was that the middle score was 44. There were six of them and three went up and three went down. Then after the random draw, all the 44's paired with another 44.

Skins went on four holes. Winners included Jason Gorrell / Ron Huberdeau ($25.00 on #1), Joel Ostash / Troy Chwaluk ($46.25 on #2), Robin Kimpinski / Darren Ostash ($88.75 on #6), and Ron Susinksi / Mike Susinski ($66.25 on #7).

Charles McKay was closest to the pin on #5 while Nathan Nowasad was closest on #9. Charles converted his birdie to share the $75.00 deuce pot with Troy Chwaluk.

Anyone interested in signing up for the Horse Race, please let me know.

No Laying Up on Men's Night

 

How do you approach Men's Night golf? Are you slow, steady and analytical or do you grip it and rip it?

Men's Night is an interesting time for golf. Some people play a composed game while focusing primarily on their score. Others play a little more freely, favouring the big shot over the safe play. Two things seem to be true regarding these varied approaches. Firstly, whatever you choose to do is right for you. Secondly, whatever you choose to do will cause someone to question your choice.

My personal game on a typical Wednesday transitions from Door #1 to #3 from 2:00 to 9:00 pm. I start off taking my time and thinking about my shots before getting a little looser as the day progresses. Usually my end game is a hybrid of caution and aggression. Of course, when I hit a driver on the first hole, I hear how I shouldn't hit that club there. Then when I lay up on #7, I am asked why I don't go for the green in two. 

On Wednesday, we had 34 golfers which seems to be our weekly average this past month. Skins went on five holes. Winners included Rhys Lanouette / Phil Ostash ($41.25 on #1), Robin Kimpinski / Cubby Bartram ($41.25 on #3), Scott Maynes / Theoren Hunter ($21.25 on #4), Alexander Maddess / Kendal Koroscil ($41.25) on #5, and Reegan Kominko / Noah Street ($21.25 on #9).

Closest to #5 was Charles McKay and closest on #9 was Sonny Blackbird. Only Sonny converted his birdie and he shared the $63.75 deuce pot with Nathan Maynes.

If you didn't get your cheque for a prize they will be on the board next week. Usually I go in as soon as my round ends and wait for an hour or so as people slowly turn in cards. Then I do the prizes and drive around the course and deliver cheques to anyone who is still around.

This week I took a different approach. As I finished nine, five kind gentlemen from Wayway allowed me to join them and we played a nine hole scramble. At the end of the day, I played 50 holes in total.

The weekend has a great forecast. Whether you plan on golfing or something else, have a good one.

Hello July

Once July hits there is a lot going on...mainly leisure related. Consequently, my blog updates get briefer and usually focus solely on the results. I am not sure of the readership of the blog but I view it as a historical document. I want my future grandson to know what happened in 2021 in case he is running Men's Night in 2045.

Last week we had 32 golfers. Skins went on five holes. Winners included Sonny Blackbird / Charlie McNabb ($61.25 on # 2), Dale Martin / Keith Martin ($20.00 on #4), Brad Benton / Jamie Kaskiw ($20.00 on #8), and Jason Gorrell / Ron Susinski ($77.50 on #9).

Closest to the pins were Jim Geekie on #5 and Myles Shingoose on #9. Neither converted their birdie.

The $60.00 deuce pot was shared by Scott Maynes and Robin Kimpinski. Robin's two was a chip in eagle on #1.

Robin added a birdie on #3 to get to -5 on the ringer board. He leads Brad Benton and Maynes by 1 stroke and Darcy Kowalchuk by 2.