“BIRDIE IN HAND” – An unimaginable 358 birdies (and three eagles) were scored on our temporary greens, makeshift par-3’s and difficult #12. Jim Holder, age 74, made the most with 14 birdies on these holes; Fred Wadsworth was next with 11 (missing only #12 and #17), then Larry Spell with ten. Larry Jay, Lou Martucci and June Holder (reigning Ladies Club Champion) posted nine each, Lee Henderson had eight and Jay Boston, Frank Cason, Bruce Cleveland, Ben Martin, Dick Meriaux and Frank Morrow each made seven.
#2 proved the most difficult temporary hole, despite playing to a regular green (#3) with 33 birdies. #12 was second-toughest with 35, followed by #6 and #17 (40 birdies each). #15 (62) and #14 (55) gave up the most, with #9 next (47) and then #5 (46).
Oddities include Joel Sutton making all six of his birdies on the last two qualifying holes (#15 and #17); Jim Holder scoring 13 of his 14 on the back side; wife June Holder making four of her nine on #15; and Benny Parmer making 3 of his 4 birdies on difficult #9. Each birdie was worth $15 golf shop credit, or a free cart fee -- a total of $5,370 in prizes!
“BEST HOLE IN THE CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY” – #12 required two long carries over lakes to a distant #13 green. Lou Martucci caught Jim Holder for the third time on August 23 as the only ones to birdie it three times. Larry Jay and Frank Casey were right on their tails with two birdies, and Bruce Cleveland made one each of the last two days to make it close. Twenty-six others had one each. Many members had trouble clearing the second lake from between 100 yards to as far out as 225 yards. Martucci and Holder will split free September dues & cart fees and $100 golf shop credit, an approximate $500 in prize value
“ACE IN THE HOLE” – No one ever made a hole-in-one on any of the par-3’s with temporary greens during the contest. Before the contest began, young Turner Butterfield turned the trick on replacement #2 with a 4-iron from about 135 yards. It didn't count, but kudos to Richard Ensminger for acing #16 with his 8-iron at Saugahatchee Country Club on July 18. HIO's on #2, #5, #9, #15 or #17 were worth $100 at the grille and $100 at the golf shop.
“TEMPORARY COURSE RECORD” – Larry Jay’s 62 on July 31 held off Phil Hand’s 64 and 65 (par-69). Jon Howard also posted a 65, Jason Fober nailed a 66, Sam Robinson, Tom Shellnutt and Hand scored recent 67’s.
On the net side, Marcia Flo (gross 82 on August 16) caught Ray Wagner at 54 (gross 79) to tie for the crown. Bruce Cleveland, Marcia Flo, Mike Mann and Dick Meriaux finished next at 56, chased by Frank Cason and Cleveland (57). Impressively, Larry Jay's 3-stroke handicap actually put him in the running at 59 in a category designed for double-digit handicappers. Gross and net winners each snag $100 credit in the golf shop and $50 credit at the grille.
“ROUND-ROUND-GET-AROUND, I GET A ROUND!” -- Iron Man Larry Spell played 33 rounds, followed by Danny Watson and Steve Carbonetti (29), Danny Watson (27), Lee Henderson and Don Russell (24 each), Jim Holder (22), Frank Cason, Ray Wagner and Chris Martin (21 each), Bruce Cleveland (20 1/2) and Fred Wadsworth (20). Honorable mention goes to Frank Sharp, Jay Boston, Lou Martucci, Roger Garrity, Ed Burkhalter, Frank Morrow, Jimmy Carswell, Dave Flo and Coy Jones for each exceeding 15 rounds.
With a free lunch and cart fee (or $15 golf shop credit) for every five rounds played, these fellows are our guests for lunch from three to six times each through September 30, and have till October 31 to use their cart fees! A profound 222 members took part in this contest by turning in scorecards, with 85 qualifying for free eats and cart fees. The total value of the prizes was in the vicinity of $3,000! Thanks to all the good sports for competing on their "temporary" home course from July 15 through August 27!