At twenty-two degrees Celsius last Sunday at Maples of Ballantrae golf course with the sun smiling all day, only eleven players braved to show up and played. Was it the air or was it the water? It was so surreal nobody could answer what happened to a lot of members who did not quite make it. We would guess it was coincidental that for whatever reasons, they all came up with different excuses at the same time and place. This was bizarre considering there were only four games left before last Sunday and so many contest prizes to be had. Never happened as far back as we could have recalled unless it was the weather to blame for a diminished attendance.

Did it make any difference to those who competed? Guessed not. A sweet redemption for one member who quietly mind his own business at the golf course trying to conceive and absorb whatever situation was surrounding him. Rey P. with an emphatic net score of 68, rewarded himself the day’s prize. He almost won all Nassau corners – front nine, overall score and tying three other members for the back nine. Out of eleven players, it was Rey and Jun P. who was showing an amazing turn around with his game lately, turned in net scores in the high sixties. Not surprisingly enough was our top low grosser, Manny C. with a gross score of 77.

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Plot thickens at all corners of all contests. Rey P. who lost the lead in SPOY a week ago & POY three weeks ago to Dave N. & Ricky R. three weeks ago, now leads both contest deservingly. But wait, it is not enough yet. In the MIP race, Rey is trailing Ricky with a mere 0.0019 points for the lead. Winning all three categories is something that you have to reach out for, isn’t it? But the rest of those who are contending, may not agree and give Rey a run for his money. To all those gentlemen who are still in the race up to this point, may the best man win.

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Congratulations.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Tee off time for this Sunday at Century Pines was moved up to 11:00 AM. Please confirm your attendance.

A comfortable twenty-three degrees Celsius at Glen Cedars last Sunday – not cool, not so hot just about right to twenty-one players who played that day under the gleaming sun. SGC got a reprieve from this golf course by teeing off half-an-hour earlier than booked as in our schedule. The last flight turned in their scores at around six thirty at night and it was noticeably a little bit dark already. As the saying goes, “I’ll see you in September when summer is gone”. We were still blessed with a warmer weather even with days getting shorter and hopefully with four games unaccounted for, this very same weather phenomenon would continue until our very last game.

Who was playing good last Sunday? Or should I say who were playing great that day? Yes, there were two people who signed in net score of 68. Sennix B. and Jojo D. both winning different Nassau corners, tied as well for the total score for the day’s prize. With Jojo grabbing the front nine, Sennix took care of the back nine. A consolation to another player, Joey C. who made up of only three players shooting in the high net sixties.

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Par 3 contest: Manny C. who still got a scope attached to one of his irons for accuracy shot, got it close on the seventh hole. Mar DV. who was claiming if you could not beat the day’s low net score then win one of these closest to the pin contests – the fourteenth hole.

 

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POY Race: A see saw battle is going on with the leaders for this POY race. With four people – Rey P., Ricky R., Dave N., & Jojo D. in a realistic contention for the coveted title, this is a real close and a tight race. Rey P. who was dislodged by Dave N. a week ago for the lead, is back again for the top honours this week. Rey now leads Ricky by three strokes. Dave drops down to third place four back, a stroke behind second place. Jojo standing by a mere stroke behind third for fourth place.

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SPOY: Ricky R. maintains his lead by three strokes over Rey P. Far third is Bingoy P., a humongous nineteen strokes behind. Amazingly enough, four people – Sennix B., Ed I., & Joey C. tied in fourth place twenty-five strokes behind the leader. Ricky is going for his second SPOY title.

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MIP: The most intriguing race. Why? A rarely multifaceted situation for improving players as qualifications for this contest are a bit complex. Only four players – Ricky R., Rey P., Bingoy P., & Dave N. qualified to make it to top five so far at this point. Possible border line players who could still make it are: Paolo B. (needs one more game) and Jojo D. (needs to shoot lower than his starting handicap index by a narrowest of margins).

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Congratulations to the winners.

Appreciate the fries and round of drinks.

It was a beautiful twenty-five-degree Celsius weather at Westview golf course with the sun shining brightly with minimal wind last Sunday for twenty-two players. Again this golf course did not surprise anybody at all as it showed its might as indicated by high scores. We would compare this venue most specially the hard-to-read greens as the kiss of death. Most proper to hold a lively event such as this time of year with so many prizes at stake.

In the blaze of a Sunday afternoon, in the thick of one of the biggest Sunday’s in summer golf, it was the end of the concluding month for contest prizes to be had. So who got to win the honours? This member was kind of hard to figure out. His day night performance mostly baffled us all summer long. But last Sunday, JC M. showed us that there were so many ways to skin a cat. JC who signed in for a 65 net score, was the only player who netted in the low sixties. By doing that, he garnered the day’s prize, the hugely coveted prize Super Series, as well as almost sweep of the Nassau corners. Not a bad winning haul for a single day’s work, huh?

Sharpshooters contest: Jun P. who was rediscovering himself shot the closest on the seventh Middle course while Bong M. got his second closest to the pin in as many weeks on number four Lakeland course.

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Month 4 contest: Ricky R. got this one locked since two weeks ago as aspiring closest contenders needed to score a net of 63 or lower to claim top spot. Amazingly enough, three players – Sennix B., Jimmy M., & Dave N. – did good by outperforming the rest by getting tied for second place.

Super Series winners: 1^st JC M., 2^nd Dave N., 3^rd Joey C., 4^th Ricky R.

An interesting change in the SPOY and POY race. Rey P. who led both categories since day one was relegated to second place in both contest after last Sunday’s outing. Rey P. now trails Ricky R. by six strokes in the SPOY race. Dave N. who was making a noise the past few weeks got the imposing three stroke lead over Rey P. in the POY race. Battle of guts in good display here as summer event is winding down to five games.

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Members appreciate the round of drinks and fries provided after the round.

Congratulations to the winners.

A muggy thirty degrees Celsius at Kingsforest golf course last Sunday. It was so sticky it felt your skin was rejecting any clothing that you had on. Better not said anything more and not going there after that statement. Anyway, an eventful day it was. ‘Blind Partner’  contest was on; an entry exemption to ‘Super Series’ for next week was at stake; plus, other contests were to be had as usual for twenty-four players who likely defied the heat and humidity.

So who got game? Playing like an old pro who tend not to forget that he still got what it takes, showed the field he could still play and how it was done just like the olden times. Ross B. began to feel that it was almost liked yesteryears when he played remarkably well liked last Sunday. By shooting the lowest net of 67, Ross rewarded himself of the day’s prize. Could it be the absence of side bets that propelled him the edge to play with enormous ease of mind? Mostly everyone doubted it. When you got it, you got it.

Nassau contest: A 4-way tie for the front nine winners namely – Jojo D., Ed I., Bingoy P., & Rey P. A solo back nine winner went to Bong M. while the overall net score was grabbed by Bingoy P.

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Closest to the pin: Hole #5 – Jimmy M. and hole #17 – Bong M.

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Blind partner contest: This contest that SGC held once a year considered by many as a different kind of beast itself. These twofold contest involved two things – first you needed to provide yourself a low scoring binge and second, find an equally low scoring partner whose selected randomly. Partially patterned to luck and skill would you say? Listed below were the winners for this contest with the lowest tandem of two-player scores:

1^st Pat D. & Ross B. with a total score of 142

2^nd Sennix B. & Jun P. with a total score of 148

3^rd Jimmy M. & Bong M. with a total score of 153

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It was an SGC appreciation day Sunday. A dinner was held at Bingoy’s and Ely’s place after the game. Members enjoyed the abundance of food and drinks. SGC in behalf of its members and guests could not forget but to thank the hosts for their hospitality most specially to Ely P. for her hard work in dinner preparation and the wholehearted warmth welcome for all of us. Thanks again.

Nice to see a healthier Don D. surprising us with a visit.

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Congratulations to the winners.

Announcement: SGC took advantage of the presence of the dinner attendees to resolve the issue of scheduling for next year. It was taken to the account of having to vote on what golf courses to include in the schedule. To see the result please click on this link:

https://sierragolfers.com/blog/2107-golf-courses/

Twenty-six degree Celsius last Sunday at Royal Woodbine with a not so hot cloudy atmosphere presented to those who played. With a central location for this golf course, you would expect a perfect attendance but no; at least twenty-four players showed up and enjoyed the outing for sure. This golf course had SGC played numerous times and as a matter of fact, a few players were still holding membership with this local club.

So who was who that gritted it out for the race that particular day? This guy and heeeee’s baaaack. Mike M. cruised to a low scoring romp by turning in a net score of 64. He topped the Sunday tournament by four shots over three players. All together there were six players who closed out with net scores in the sixties. Mike M. with this kind of performance rewarded himself the day’s prize. Not only that, his low scoring touch enabled him to contend and jumped to third place in the MIP race. Seven more games remaining and the pressure is mounting with constricted standings for those who deservingly get themselves up to this level of competition. Never second thought the idea of working hard to get to this level. Let’s see who is going to blink first. Way to go members.

Nassau: This “I’m still here” kind of guy Joey C. took the front nine while JC M. seized the back nine. Overall prize went to JC M. and Bong M.

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Sharpshooters contest: Bingoy P. whose shot on seventh hole got closer to the fringe than the pin itself still won. How about this member who scarcely showed up on Sundays but amazingly he’s a steady and good supporter of every contest known to SGC, Ron W. got it close on the fourteenth hole.

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There were so many ways to recompense yourself if you couldn’t beat the sometimes unavoidable low scoring phenomena by a group of players. Why not give yourself a shot to an eagle? Jimmy M. just did that on the water hazardous seventeenth hole.

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This is worth mentioning. Dave N. is making a run for the POY race. Dave appeared gaining grounds on the leader Rey P. He is only six back. Ricky R. also making it a tight race in the Senior POY. Ricky caught up with the leader Rey P. Only a stroke separating both gentlemen. I could hear Rey saying, “Catch me if you can!” Nice POY and SPOY race building up here folks.

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Congratulations to all winners.

ANNOUNCEMENT: A mandatory ‘Blind Partner’ contest is going to happen this Sunday at Kingsforest. So please be prepared for the entry fee. An SGC dinner is in the offing right after the game at Bingoy’s place. If you cannot make it to the game, hopefully we will see you at dinner time.

Fast approaching September is just around the corner with only eight games to go. Have you noticed days are getting shorter? Antsy or not, everyone seems to be relishing the lovely weather we are getting lately; enjoy it for whatever is left in our summer spell. Pretty soon expect old man winter to be around. Must be nice for those lucky ones who like to continue playing golf, conceivably happening someplace warmer. Bummer. Ice skating anyone?

A beautiful twenty-eight degrees’ Celsius day with cloudy periods for the rest of the afternoon prevailed last Sunday at Tyandaga golf course. From a competitive standpoint, Rickey R. was chasing his second win in as many weeks. It was a closing net 66 that lifted him to win again yesterday. Could there be a three in a row happening here? Never seen this transpired for quite a long time now. Gutsiest feeling that the rest of the members would not permit this occurrence and would give him a run for his money.

Nassau: A brilliant one under front nine gross score for Jimmy M. enabled himself to tie Rey P. Who else got the back nine and overall score but Ricky R.

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Par 3 closest to the pin: Bong M. with a week off last week reinvigorated himself by shooting nearest to the pin on hole six. Seho O. who was having a bad day, redeemed himself by firing closest on the converted par 4 to par 3 fourteenth hole.

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Front-running Rey P. is still on the loose running away with both POY and SPOY honours. Four players on board for the MIP awards with Rickey R., Rey P., Bingoy P., & Sennix B.

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Correction: It was posted that last week’s back nine winner was solely won by Ricky R. when actually it was a tie between Jojo D. & Ricky. SGC regrets the error.

Congratulations to the winners.

What lies ahead: It is already confirmed that SGC dinner is to be held at Bingoy’s place after the game at Kingsforest on August 28, 2016. Every member is expected to attend.

Twenty-eight degrees Celsius, not so hot nor cool, just about right at last Sunday’s round of golf at Maples of Ballantrae golf course with the wind gusting at thirty mph, with the exception of few holes, it was wildly blowing a bit harder at open spaces. We would assume that it was a perfect weather conditions for members to have perfect attendance? Not quite. Only twenty-one players showed up but no one could blame anybody for not playing as few preferred to be somewhere cooling off at a cottage or relishing a walk along the lake or merely enjoying the comforts of home. Too short that summer.

Nine games left to our summer bliss and there was a discussion regarding the SGC schedule, most specially the golf courses we play. SGC welcomes and appreciate the idea of voicing out your opinion on important areas to help our event a more pleasurable event to all. SGC also suggests that our annual meeting hails as the most significant gathering to discuss such important views. Attending the meeting armed with hot topics and perceptible info to get them heard will help your cause. Suggesting a topic without anything to back it up will not do you any good.

So who had the mojo working last Sunday? Ricky R., yes that was him shooting a net score of 65 earning him the day’s prize. He claimed winning it eventually after a few weeks of futility.

Nassau: Ricky R. grabbed the back nine as well as the winning the overall score. Sennix B. fresh from firing front nine 38 gross score last week hailed as the winner of the front nine again with a net score of 31.

Sharpshooters contest: Julio R. who just returned from two weeks off got it closest on hole six while Bingoy P. won the tenth hole.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: It was mentioned that there would be a tentative sched bar-b-q dinner at Bingoy’s place after our round of golf on August 28^th. Drinks are also provided at SGC’s expense. There is two more weeks before it happens – say what you want early. Another one is in the offing uncertainly before the summer ends. Final announcement comes a week before then.

Where art thou SGC members? Ten MIA members did not show up as there were only five flights at Century Pines golf course contended for this eventful week last Sunday. Weather was ideal at twenty-seven degrees Celsius with a threat of rain that never happened and with cloudy periods early in the afternoon.

This golf course considered by many as one of the easiest golf courses in our schedule. Proof of that was at least seven people produced net scores in the sixties and only three people with net scores in the eighties. With this week measured as the end of the month week, you could reward yourself with a share of substantial prizes waiting to be had – provided you put yourself in a position playing virtuously submitting low score at the end of the day. One member just did that by winning the Nassau overall score as the day’s winner as well as winning the richly contested Super series 3 contest. Eddie I. justifying that this was his kind of day, scored a net of 66.

Nassau contest: As mentioned above, Ed I. with that kind of 66 net score got the total lowest score. Amazingly enough, Sennix B. did not let anybody get close enough by winning the front with a net score of 27. Wow. Quietly summoning to be heard, Mar DV. steadily won himself the back nine.

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Par 3 sharpshooters contest: Ricky R. armed with probably nine or eight iron fired it close on the fifth hole. Seho O. who is getting a habit of winning this contest every week won hole thirteen.

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Super Series: That Ed I. again for his third win of the day. Mar DV, & Ross B. tied to bag second place while Seho O. placed fourth.

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Month 3 contest: This was the contest to measure your consistency for five consecutive weeks. Seho O. provided that consistency by winning it. Jojo D. without even playing tied JC M. for second place.

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MIP contest is posted as we entered day fifteen of our summer season of the year. So far, Ricky R. is the sole qualified candidate to make the winners edge. We need five winners for this contest. With only ten more games unaccounted for, those players with a difference of 1.00 or under (start handicap index minus ending handicap index) are not too far off to contend and get in the top five. But of course you need to play fifteen games and playing well to lower your ending handicap than your starting handicap to qualify. Please check where you stand in the list posted already to one of our web site links.

Congratulations to the winners.

Sour grapes? Not sure. The set up of tee boxes for sure riled up a lot of SGC senior members yesterday at Royal Woodbine golf course. Gold, blue & white tee boxes all bunched up together in all par 5 holes located at the most precarious spot – gold teeing area. This was not amusing at all. Distance to carry fescue or hazard played havoc to most seniors with limited physical ability who showed up and played. As a matter of fact, one senior discontinued his play because he had to face this trending scenario to a few holes ahead of him. Sad. Very sad. Most obviously rib-tickling to most seniors who just came out to enjoy the company, enjoy the outdoors and to simply have fun did not get any of that sort. Were we forgetting that the enjoyment of playing this game resting on how it was being played? The bare facts about SGC membership, whether you liked it or not, more than fifty percent were senior members. Yes at most times we all could be competitive but perceptibly that did not happen yesterday. Could we be more respective of the remaining golden years for these people? Yes SGC could be. We all learned from our mistakes.

In consequence, this tee box setup was due to the previous tournament held before us and was never returned to regular setting when it was our turn to play. SGC complained to course management after our round and was somewhat apologetic about it. If I remembered correctly, the same occurrence happened two or three years ago at this very same golf course.

We all know and played this golf course regularly throughout the years, so how do we prevent this from happening again? SGC suggested this:

Hit from familiar white or blue tee box locations. Tee up from the middle of the teeing area.

We challenge and welcome any comments from the younger generations. SGC would like to be fair and treat its precious members equally.

Moving on. There was a point in time that SGC’s best players during our golf season would decide to give it a little rest and give someone else a chance to take over. Alas, things turned out in their favour yesterday. The golf course proved to be too long – a haven for long hitters because of tee box locations that were way, way back on few holes. It would take just one of these holes to cause a disaster, scoring wise to some who were not too long off the tee. Let us give credit when it was due to those who thrived in this kind of situation. Two players – Manny C. and Jojo D. took advantage of last Sunday’s event to edge out the rest of the field by scoring a net of 68. Both deservingly grabbed the day’s prize. There were only three players who net scored in the high 60s. Dave N. lost by a slimmest of margin with a net score of 69. All three players known to be long off the tee and good. Very good indeed.

 

 

 

 

Nassau corners: Joey C. got the mojo working as he captured the front nine. Jojo D. who almost made a sweep, warranted to win the back nine and overall score convincingly. Nice work.

 

 

 

 

Par 3 closest to the pin contest: Seho O’s accuracy with his irons rewarded him of winning the seventh hole while Joey C. got another win by shooting the closest on the fifteenth.

 

 

 

 

Super series next Sunday.

Congratulations to all winners. Appreciate the round of drinks.

Twenty-eight degrees Celsius with the sun out and slight breeze at Kingsforest golf course last Sunday. Worst humidity felt by twenty-three players plus two guests who were brave enough to show up and played. What was the word I was looking for? Sticky. It was so sticky. So uncomfortable feeling when you’re making that golf swing and felt that clothing of yours sticking to your skin – sweat & heat. Better than rain mind you. Scoring wise, it was an eventful ‘all sizzle, no steak’ scenario.

We were going to have winners regardless. So what happened at Sunday’s event? This wily veteran never surprised anyone anymore. You’d think that Sennix B. seemed forgotten and buried deep into the abyss but guessed what, he would come up from time to time and would say “Guys I’m still here”. Given a golf course to play on with all kinds of adversities around – a horde of trees all lined up left & right, OBs and water hazards on few holes, expecting low scoring would happen? No Sireeee. High average scoring proved that at Kingsforest golf course. Almost dried fairways did not help low scoring either. Sennix awakened with a net of 71 snared the day’s prize. Well done.

Nassau contest: Nobody appeared to want winning anything at all indicated by high scores, so Sennix grabbed the front nine and overall. Julio R. unwittingly took the opportunity of seizing the back nine.

Approaching to that number of fifteen games required to qualify for the coveted POY title. Make that four players registered thirteen rounds after last Sunday – Rey P., Jojo D., Ricky R. & Mike M. all in that list in winning order. Piece of advice? Try not to miss anymore games and try your best to keep up with these leaders.

Thirteen. This is the magic number to win the SPOY title. Why of course, SGC just played its thirteenth game of the season. So far, only two senior entrants were able to register thirteen games – Rey P. and Ricky R. with the former running away with a humongous lead. No need to worry for the rest of the contestants as we still have twelve more games unaccounted for.

Month 3 contest with two more games to go, has its own three top players in the lead – Seho O., Jojo D., & JC M. No significant qualms here as it is still anybody’s game for a lot of players are all bunched up closely.

For those who are aspiring to see improvements in your game, lowering of handicap that is, MIP will be tabulated after the fifteenth game. To qualify please check SGC’s local rules.

See you at RW next Sunday. Go ahead, make your day. Good luck.

Congratulations to the winners. Thanks for the round of drinks.