It was a “fun day” in more ways than one for the May 11 round on the Oakridge course. The two-man scramble format gave players the confidence they needed to turn loose big drives and long putts, resulting in winning 18-hole scores in the mid and low 60s.
Mark Monson was one of the big hitters. On the long par 4 2nd hole, from the Medal tees, he drove his ball to within 100 yards of the green. And on the 10th hole, with his partner Larry Batanian safe in the fairway, he put a low screamer through the trees to the green’s approach. Meanwhile, Rick Shildneck—a new LMGA member playing with the group for the first time— and competitor Dave Creasy both nearly drove the green on the short par 4 8th hole.
Other players put on equally impressive putting displays. Although Dave Martin’s tee shot on the par 3 5th hole rolled down into the low collection area off the right front, he holed his putt up the steep greenside slope for a birdie. Gary Poleynard sank 30-foot putts on numbers 5 and 12 for birdies. And Rick Shildneck saved par for his team with a 50-foot putt from the front of the green on the 9th hole.
The day was not without additional drama. Tom Richards and partner Bob Schmidt both put their tee shots into the deep bunker in front of the 12th green. Both then failed to get out of the bunker on their next shots. Then Richards holed out on his second attempt. It was their second-to-last hole and that shot gave them a one-stroke lead to win their flight.
At the end of the day the first-place winning twosomes included Jeff DeLuca & Mark Witbeck, who carded the low score of the day with 62; John Soron & Phil Libby (63); Tom Richards & Bob Schmidt (64); and Pete Quinn & Sonny Brownlee (65).
Second-place pairs were Jim Yablecki & Andy Eastwood (65); John Landuyt & Phil Redmond (65); Dave Foley & Brian Kornblatt (65); and Bruce Gingold & Ken Aaron (66).
Third-place teams were Peter Hering & Rick Hartbrodt (66); Dave Martin & Doug Ramey (67); Gus Urzua & Bob Hainly (67); and Tom Stephens & Steve Voss (68).
Fourth-place finishers included Bill Turrentine & Bobby Balmes (67); Mark Monson & Larry Batanian (67); Mike Allen & Buck Buckner (69); and Martin Halper & John Evans (70).
No skins were collected or awarded due to the scramble format.