by Bruce Braun
“Success depends almost entirely on how effectively you learn to manage the game’s two ultimate adversaries: the course and yourself.” Jack Nicklaus.
Recent storm clouds have passed through in time for a beautiful day today, albeit a bit cooler. Today 64 members and 5 guests enjoyed what Beauty Bay has to offer.
Tomorrow, the Kenora senior men’s league hosts the BB senior men’s in the first of a two-part battle. There is always an understandable home game advantage but that’s not to say a victory couldn’t be sealed by our guys. If you are playing, then all the best to you. If you are not playing, you should consider being a part of the gallery/cheering section. Part 2 will take place here at Beauty Bay on July 30. Sharpen those grooves guys! It’s a friendly competition with the top 5 players nets from each club determining the bragging rights! Let’s sign up and show our team spirit!
Next week Tuesday, July 23, will be our memorial service. Plan to arrive as usual but expect that before you head to your assigned hole, we will all be gathering atop the ninth tee for a brief service to remember former league members.
So, what’s your take on how this summer is going with the BB senior men’s league? A good many of you will comment on the excessive rain. It’s been a bummer, no doubt. This is especially so when you look forward to a regular Tuesday routine of golf at Beauty Bay. As you know, there are several volunteers that help this league function as well as it does. We are grateful for each of them and the time it takes, all done in a concerted effort to produce a fun time. The only thing these people haven’t figured out is how to manage the weather! Here is a request. Is there any chance that you would consider filling a role in this leagues management? Marvin Koski is in his 10th year of being the Numbers Guy. He collects your scorecards at the end of the round, tabulates the winners, and maintains individual handicaps. We are looking for someone to replace Marvin as he is hanging up his pencil after this season. Now would be a good time to get in on this role as you could shadow Marvin and see how he does his thing to make the transition to a new Numbers Guy as smooth as possible. Please put your name in. You could mention your interest to any one of the other volunteers and we will get you set up, lickety-split! Thanks.
Local rule clarifications:
As we all know, the telephone pole on the 10th hole comes into play as it is nearly in the middle of the fairway. In fact, that very pole is a target worth $5 BB bucks on occasion. But generally speaking, that pole, and its wires, are considered ‘immovable obstructions.’ Rules for this vary at different courses but for BB the local rule allows you to re-hit your shot with no penalty. By doing so, however, you eliminate the first ball from play completely. You don’t get to choose later your favorite. There is also a local ‘line of sight’ rule that comes into play. If you are directly behind the telephone pole you are allowed to move the ball left or right, no nearer the hole, until you feel you have safely moved far enough away to eliminate the possibility of hitting the pole. The reason for this local rule is only for safety reasons. The intent is to eliminate the possibility of injury.
Also, you will notice that on the Beauty Bay scorecard there is a small cube entitled Local Rules. At some point this section will be updated as it currently highlights an out of bounds left of the white stakes bordering the fairway of the 18th hole. It is an obsolete rule as there are no longer any white stakes. Further, there is mention of the drainage ditches along the right side of holes 3, 4, 6, and 8 allowing a free lift. Hole number 5 should be included on this list. The free lift, of course, requires you to find your golf ball. If your ball is also lost, you must accept the penalty of one stroke. For the record, the water on number 3 and number 7 are also drainage and could be argued that a free lift is necessary. Good luck with that!
Results for the league on July 16 are as follows:
Back nine scramble winners were Don Paterson, Tim Warkentin, Paul Warkentin, and Bruce Myers with a -3 score of 32. This nail-biter was won on a count back against two other teams. Congratulations!
Other achievements:
Closest to the cup, second shot, on number 1: Derek “50-50” Kobernyk.
Longest putt on number 4: Dan “Don’t Hit Me With Your Golf Ball” Anderson.
Closest to the cup on number 7: Lorne “I Like This Hole” Frederick.
Longest putt on number 8: Peter “Bottom of the Cup” Madott.
Closest to the cup on number 9: Dean “Going Low” Carrie.
Flight winners:
Flight 1: Bruce Braun, 40.
Flight 2: Brad Lowes, 42.
Flight 3: Tim Warkentin, 42.
Flight 4: Dean Carrie, 43.
Flight 5: Orlo Mejia, 52.
See you next week!
