Good Golf Last Week

I am always impressed by people who play good golf either in absolute terms or just in comparison to their handicap. Last week there were three rounds of golf at Hidden Valley Country Club that were impressive to me.

Tire Guy Steve

The Staker Group was formed in 1989 by Gordon, Doug, Guy and me. The members of the group have changed over the years but we currently have some 20 members and on any given Thursday we have 8 to 16 players in the group. Every player has three bets against every other player. We play a point part game where a net par is zero points, a net birdie is plus 1 point and a net bogey is minus one point. Each of the front nine, the back none and the combined 18 holes, is a separate bet. For example, if you shoot one worse than your handicap on the front nine and two better than your handicap on the back nine, your point three par scores would be -1, +2 and +1 total.  If I was minus two on the front nine and plus 1 on the back nine, my point par scores would be -2, +1 and -1 total. You would win the front nine bet, we would tie the back nine bet and you would win the combined 18 hole bet. Accordingly you would win two bets from me. Each player would compare their three point par scores with each other player and would either collect or pay (or tiewith ) each other player. Generally, if you shoot your handicap, you win money.

Last Thursday we had 11 players in the Staker Group game, two foursomes and a threesome. I was in the first foursome and one of my playing companions was Steve the Tire Guy. Steve is a 26 handicap and I have played with him dozens of times over the last few years. The Lovely Sharon and I have been to dinners at his house and Steve and his wife have been to dinners at our house. Steve and I are good friends. Like all of us, Steve’s game goes up and down. Well last Thursday Steve had a fantastic front nine. He was +7 in our point par game. Unbelievably he was 7 strokes better than his handicap on the front nine. In all my years of playing in the Staker Group, that was one of the best nine hole point par scores I have ever seen. It was a thrill to see this dear friend have such a great first nine holes. He played his handicap or one better than his handicap on the back nine so for the 18 holes, his point par was +7 or +8. Congratulations pal.

The Lovely Sharon

Late last Friday afternoon, the Lovely Sharon and I played 18 holes of golf at Hidden Valley Country Club. If you know the Lovely Sharon or have read this blog before, you know that the Lovely Sharon is a very fine golfer. Her handicap normally ranges from 3 to 7 and she plays many great rounds. Last Friday’s game was one of her best. Her total score was 73 on the par 72 Mountain/Valley Courses at Hidden Valley. On the front nine (the Mountain Nine) she shot 36 with two birdies and two bogies. Although we all have “should of”, “could of” and “would of’s” in golf, I can honestly the Lovely Sharon should have shot a 35 on the front nine. On the back nine she shot a 37 with a three putt bogey on the 17th hole and a lip out birdie putt on the 18th hole. It was a great round and I was very proud of the Lovely Sharon and it was a thrill to watch.

Head Pro Ryan

Ryan, the head golf professional at Hidden Valley Country Club, is a fine man, a wonderful head pro and a terrific golfer. Ryan plays often with the men and women members of the Club. I have played with him a couple of times. Last week, Ryan shot 60 at Hidden Valley. It is hard to believe that he was 12 under par as he set the new course record. I would have loved to have been there to see such a round of golf. A friend of mine and the Lovely Sharon, Shar did play with Ryan in his unbelievable round. Congratulations Ryan.