The November Lake Fairways Shootout was held on Wednesday 11/11/10 at High Noon (I still think High Noon is the appropriate time for a shootout). This month, having only 1 reporter on duty, we focused on the B Flight which is apparently where all the Cool Guys prefer to play. The galleries equally as large and the pressure no less than it is in the A Flight. It doesn’t matter if you’re a 30 handicap or a 5 handicap, 3-foot putts in this format and in front of a gallery are just more difficult.
On the 1st hole we lost early favorite Tom Craig who was the 3rd place finisher in the A flight last month. Not so easy playing with the Cool Guys eh Tom?
On Hole #2, fashion icon, Mike Craven fatted his tee shot half way to the green, two chips and 2 putts later, Mike was thanked for participating and headed to the golf cart where Gloria reminded him that he was still cool in her eyes.
On the 3rd hole, we lost shoot out veteran, Pat Emanuel who plunked his tee shot into the water short and right, dropped, chipped out, and by the time he reached the green, with the rest of the entourage waiting, Pat did some quick math and conceded the hole rather than putting out and having to announce his score to the crowd.
Hole #4 provided the first chip-off where Flight B Marshal, Ron McManus dropped his hat behind the green above the hole for a very slick chip to a front pin. Bob Bennet, Dave Malmberg and Mike Fevig all rolled it past the hole and just off the front of the green leaving Sonny Chidester to his own chipping demons where he succumbed to the pressure, fluffed his chip, not reaching the putting surface and becoming the next participant to sit down. Sonny was seen at that same spot as the sun went down trying again and again to get that chip close.
On Hole #5, we lost Hugh Mitchell who pulled his tee shot left into the drink. After Scorer Dave Fillion told him where to drop, Mitch needed 4 more shots to find the bottom of the cup and became the 5thcasualty of the day.
On Hole #6, Bob Bennet yanked his tee shot left out of bounds where Pat Emanuel was seen sulking in his back yard and refused to give the ball back. Fortunately, Bob had hit a provisional ball and still carded a 6 which just beat out Mike Fevig who landed in the bunker left off the tee and conceded after 6 more strokes for a not so cool 7. Way to hang in there Bob. Never over estimate your opponent’s skills in this format. We all have ugly shots in our bags waiting for the right moment to surface.
As the number of contestants dwindled down to 4, we lost Bob B on Hole #7 in a chip off with Larry O’Brien.
Then there were 3. Ron Farr, Larry O-Brien and Dave Malmberg. On the 8th Hole all 3 put their tee shots short of the green. Dave and Larry successfully chipped onto the green leaving Ron to his own chipping demons. Two chips and two putts later, Ron carded a 5, was thanked and accepted his 3rd place finish. Not Bad Ron. You’d have taken that finish if offered on the 1st tee.
The crowd headed to the 9th hole. Carts scurried up the fairway to wait at the green where the drama was going to reach a head. Dave had been playing well all day. Keeping the ball in play, getting up and down for pars and bogeys and generally playing his game. Larry on the other hand was playing way over his head. I’ve never seen Larry hit the ball so straight and pure. The pressure brings out the competitive juices in some people and today Larry O’Brien showed that he’s one of them.
However, being the final 2 contestants finally sunk in. Both golfers hit weak tee shots left from where both failed to reach the green with their 2nd and 3rdshots. Both hitting 4 from a foot or so short of the putting surface, the old Larry showed up and lifted his head to skull the ball across and off the back of the green. (sorry Larry, I just report it without prejudice) Dave used his putter and rolled it to within 2 inches and tapped in for a 5 leaving Larry with about 30 feet to tie. He made a good shot and got it close but it wasn’t to be. Today, Flight B belonged to Dave Malmberg. Well done Dave !