Thirty-six LMGA members took on the annual Three Club Challenge for a fun round on the Magnolia course this past week, proving to both themselves and their competitors that you can play—and play well—with far fewer than the 14 clubs normally allowed in the bag. The round was all the more fun because the nine foursomes were provided with food and refreshments on the course, thanks to LMGA.
Players took varied and innovative approaches to the challenge, each choosing the three clubs that best matched their playing style and strengths.
Flight 1 winners Bill Tomassini, Jack Welch, Crews Walden and Scott Happ had little trouble navigating the course with their mixed bag of clubs, racking up three birdies on the way to scoring a course low of 65 for the day. Tomassini, who carried a 3 wood, 6 iron and pitching wedge, birdied one hole using his wood as a putter and notched his second birdie on the group’s last hole, the par 3 number three, by hitting his wedge to within a foot of the cup. Welch and Happ were also armed with 3 woods, and only Happ and Walden carried putters.
The winning team in Flight 2, with 66 points, employed an equally broad selection of clubs. Rib Ruben chose a 6 iron, pitching wedge and putter, while teammates Mike Allen, Don McVay and Mark Witbeck among them used driver, 3 wood, 5 hybrid (which Allen used as a putter), 7 iron, 8 iron, 54-degree approach wedge and sand wedge. Witbeck even managed to birdie the fifth hole using only his driver and 8 iron.
REMINDER: BA Cup Play on Aug. 10
While BA Cup competition typically occurs on the third Thursday of each month, this month play will take place on the second Thursday, Aug. 10, on the Deer Creek course.
This will be the next-to-last regular BA Cup match. All LMGA members are encouraged to sign up and be ready to compete for their teams! Marshwood team is currently in first place, with Deer Creek and Magnolia teams tied for second place and Oakridge bringing up the rear. With two regular-season rounds yet to play, plus the playoffs in October, any team can still win.
AUGUST SCRAMBLE SCHEDULE
Beginning Aug. 9 the Wednesday Twilight Scramble start time moves to 5:45 p.m. Summer Scrambles end Aug. 30. The schedule and course rotation includes:
Aug. 9 - Marshwood (5:45 p.m.)
Aug. 16 - Deer Creek (5:45 p.m.)
Aug. 23 - Oakridge (5:45 p.m.)
Aug. 30 - Deer Creek (5:45 p.m.)
Twilight Summer Scrambles are open to all LMGA members, along with Landings Club golf members not enrolled in LMGA. For an all-inclusive $10 fee, cash prizes are awarded at the end of each round and complimentary beer & soft drinks are provided after play. Teams are assigned depending on player handicaps, and Club pros join in the fun depending on their schedules.
All players are required to sign up through the course clubhouse between 9:00 and 3:00 p.m. on the day of play. Please arrive by 5:15 p.m. and bring cash for payment. No advance registrations are available.