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Kent Gurney, Mike Johnson Top Red, White, and Blue Flights
Kent Gurney and Mike Johnson came out on top in the A and B Flights respectively in this year's Red, White, and Blue Low Net Tournament. Kent had to go to a cardoff to secure the A flight victory where he and Mark Harrison both carded net 67's, but Kent was the winner by making par for net birdie on the #1 handicap 12th hole. That pair topped their nearest competitors by three strokes. In a three-way tie for third was Bruce Wilder, John Betance, and Alfred Gabriel who all scored net 70.
The B flight was almost as close where Mike Johnson, a 29 handicap shot 96 for net 67 and the victory besting Jimmy Kronz by a single stroke. Jimmy's net 68 was two strokes better than the nearest competitor, John Asebedo, who shot a net 70 for third place. Rounding out the top five in a tie for fourth at net 71 was the pair of Byron Balsells and Rico Ramos. Congratulations to all who cashed in this month's event.
Chicago Format Up Next
The flighted Chicago Format is very similar to the Stableford tournament with one huge exception. While both formats score points for scores on each hole, the Chicago Format is based on gross scores on the hole. What makes this different is that each player is given a target point total to hit based on their handicap where the lower the player's handicap, the higher the target point value. The player who comes closest to their target value or surpasses their target value by the most is crowned the winner. Played from the white tees on August 1st, we hope to see everyone there!
Renew Memberships or Join Our Club Online
All existing members needing to renew their memberships or any new members wishing to join our crazy group can now do it all online as a part of the SCGA website by clicking here. This is a new and completely optional way to pay your annual dues. Existing members and those wishing to join may still pay in person either in cash or by check if you prefer. If you have any questions, feel free to either email us or track down on Saturday morning and we'll do our best to answer them.
Join The Hole-In-One Pot
Congratulations go out to John Hennes for his hole-in-one on the seventh hole and becoming the third member to capture the hole-in-one pot! The previous winners were Bill Barry on #3 and Mark Carlton on #16. On this one, John's playing partners raved at the perfect shot that took one hop and disappeared into the hole. What this means for the rest of us is that it's time to re-enter with the hopes that we can join that elite group.
If interested, contact Bruce Wilder to get signed up. The $10 entry is a one-time payment good until another ace wins the pot. The hole-in-one must be scored at Whispering Lakes on a Saturday morning during regular men's club play. Click here to see who's already on board.
New Guest Guidelines
With the club growth we have experienced in the last year along with the limitation of required tee times, it has become necessary to establish some guidelines on bringing guests to join us on Saturdays. First, guests can only be accommodated on a space-available basis. The first priority for tee times must be for club members. Second, no guests should be brought on any tournament day. Tournament days have bigger draws and especially with different tournament formats, it is not the opportune time to bring non-members. Finally, we are going to begin limiting the number of guests to one per member on any given week. If any member wishes to bring multiple guests, a guaranteed tee time cannot be determined until Friday morning when the groups are established and shared. If there is space available at that point, the multiple guests will be welcomed. If you have multiple guests and require a guaranteed tee time, it is suggested that you contact the pro shop and get a time outside of the men's club set tee time reservations. Thank you to all for your understanding and cooperation in this. It is appreciated.
Net Double Bogey to Replace Equitable Stroke Control!
Handicap index calculation for members is changing beginning January 1st as the new Rules of Handicapping are introduced and implemented in the United States. First, your index will be based on the 8 best scores out of the past 20 posted scores rather than the lowest 10 scores out of the last 20 as it currently does. This change should be minor but you may see a change in your index after the 1st of the year even if you haven't played.
Additionally, the maximum score for each hole will now be limited to a Net Double Bogey. This can be calculated as par + 2 + the number of handicap strokes you receive on that hole. This calculation will be the same for all golfers and there are no longer different maximum scores based on a range of values that an individual's current handicap fits within.
Finally, beginning January 1st, handicap index updates will be made daily so your handicap will change the day after you post a score. On days you don't play, obviously no update will take place. As for player handicaps used for weekly and club competitions, our Men's Club will continue to update and post players' indexes twice a month on the 1st and 15th of each month. So for side games within your foursome, it will be up to you whether you use each player's current index or their posted index. But for participation in our group side game and tournaments, all players will play to the handicap posted in the pro shop. If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with Bruce Wilder, our handicap chairman and resident expert on these changes!