Summer isn’t over, summer isn’t over, summer isn’t over. … I’m hoping if I say that enough times it will be true.
The weather has been disheartening of late, but August showers typically precede September sunshine and some of the best golf of the season.
If historical form holds true we’ll all have a fantastic finish to the golfing year. Last weekend put a wrap on the busiest section of the 2014 tournament calendar. Birch Ridge hosted the Bassackwards Scramble, Serenity Scramble and the Ladies Pro-Am over the weekend.
Pat “The Irish Hammer” Cowan paired with his wife Myrna, Gene Diamond and myself to take a second-straight Bassackwards Scramble crown, narrowly defeating Darell Jelsma, Steve Hammarstrom, Bruce King and a ringer from Anchorage in a playoff!
Bill Engberg and his damsels paired to win the Ladies Pro-Am, edging Tommy Carver and the head-turners from Kenai Golf Course in a three-hole card-off. The Ladies Pro-Am was played in a bathtub this year. That happened.
When is football season?
Old Folks Golf
Nine golfing veterans, hardened from years of lost balls and wayward provisionals, journeyed to Birch Ridge on Monday morning to experience the adrenaline rush accompanying fierce competition one last time. Darell Jelsma, Tom “Boomerang” Boedeker and Sid “Vicious” Cox were equals, finishing T-1 with a trio of net 31s. Jelsma separated himself from the field by capturing both closest tos, leaving his opponents to wallow in misery.
Tuesday Morning Ladies League
Tuesday was the lovable ladies season finale and what a year it was! Somehow the women managed 15 consecutive weeks without rain. Apparently, the golf action on Tuesday mornings this summer was so hot the rain evaporated! Awards were handed out to golfers that posted birdies, chip-in’s, closest to’s, fewest putts, etc. …
Chiya Bazan continued her torrid pace of late, pairing with Beth Roseberry, Trena “The Cookie Queen” Richardson and Leona Jackson for top team honors. Don’t let the “season finale” fool you, I’m sure a lady or two will be back out there next Tuesday.
Thursday Night Couples
The lovebirds participated in a scintillating golf competition last Thursday leading to more than a few murmurs from the ladies. Both the men and women would hit a tee shot. Then bam! The guy played the ladies ball in and lady played the man’s ball in. That meant there was a lot of pressure on the men to hit fairways, unless of course they were OK with sleeping on the couch that night! Darell and Susan Jelsma navigated the turmoil beautifully to post a winning net 83. The Murphys, Dan and Linda, were just two shots back to finish a respectable, marriage-saving second.
Golf Joke of the Week
The room was full of pregnant women and their partners, and the Lamaze class was in full swing. The instructor was teaching the women how to breathe properly, along with informing the men how to give the necessary assurances at this stage of the plan.
The teacher then announced, “Ladies, exercise is good for you. Walking is especially beneficial, and gentlemen, it wouldn’t hurt you to take the time to go walking with your partner!”
The room really got quiet.
Finally, a man in the middle of the group raised his hand.
“Yes?” replied the teacher.
“Is it all right if she carries a golf bag while we walk?!”
