By Rick Colvin
Bundled up on a day when the temperature never rose out of the 40s, 76 golfers played the last LMGA outing of 2020 on Marshwood Dec. 17; the game was the ever-popular Pick Six scramble, a game of strategy as well as golfing skill.
The 20 three- and foursomes had to hit six shots from each of the Tournament, Club, and Marshwood tees. Is it better to hit from the Marshwood tees on Par 5 holes, on the theory that at least some golfers might be able to reach the green on a second shot? Does it make sense to hit from the Tournament tees on Par 3 holes? Wind, pin position, and golfers’ skills are variables that also inform such decisions.
Whatever their strategy, the team of Keith Krueger, Warren Lewis, Tom Seipel, and George Yost won Flight 1 with a score of 56. The team of Anthony Berens, Peter Clarke, Bob Hainly, and Ron Thomas also shot 56 but lost the scorecard tie breaker comparing the two teams’ last nine holes; Charlie Bradford, Bruce Decker, Jim Dwyer, and Pete Quinn took 3rd place, one stroke out of first.
Three teams shot 54 to tie for the lead in Flight 2. The team of Bruce Gingold, Rufus Freeman, Dan Malachuk, and David Seeley took the honors with a lower tally on the last nine holes than Vic Bell, Ted Bumsted, Jay Carey, and Dick Higgins. The 2nd-place team’s lower score on the last six holes bested the 3rd-place team of Michael Allen, Paul D’Angio, John Evans, and Bob Kaplan.
Interesting statistical note: Five strokes separated the first-place team from the last-place team in both flights.
Thanks to Steve Skipper for handling the cards, Rick Cricenti for scoring and Don Snyder and Tom Seipel for handling the beverages.
Jan. 7 is the next outing. The game will be a flighted team Stableford event with winners for front 9, back 9 and overall.
Highlight Reel
Bruce Decker sank a 35-foot putt on No. 2 for a birdie…Warren Lewis hit a 5-wood 190 yards to 14 inches on No. 5. (Come on, guys, tell me about your great shots! Contact is rleecolvin@gmail.com)
Holiday Lunch
After play, the golfers dropped by the Marshwood Event Barn and warmed up with an Italian-themed lunch of beef and cheese lasagna, rigatoni, gravy with meatballs or Italian sausage, and two types of salad. (Nice menu John Belucci!)
Membership Notes
New member Dave Martin played for the first time with the LMGA Dec. 17. He worked in logistics for UPS for over 40 years and moved with his wife, AnnMarie, from Redwood City, south of San Francisco, Ca. He likes golf for the camaraderie and for the opportunity to learn about the experiences of others.
Bob Wood also played with the group for the first time. He and his wife Noreen moved to The Landings from Northern Virginia in July. Bob is a consultant to the aerospace and defense industry. He enjoys the challenges and exercise that golf affords as well as the chance to be outdoors. He also loves the mindfulness needed to play well. “When you are playing golf all that you are focused on his hitting the golf ball, nothing else.”
New Member John McCormick and his wife Julie live in Chicago where they are members of Medinah Country Club but will be spending winters at The Landings. John is senior vice president for sales in the Midwest for NetJets. He loves golf for the exercise and for the opportunities it provides to meet new friends.
Rob Linnett and his wife Clara also will make The Landings their part time home, keeping Spring Lake, New Jersey as their main residence. A retired commercial insurance broker, Rob also likes the many challenges of the game as well as friendships made through golf.
Welcome back, Bill Jess!