Eagle Ridge Golf League News

  Tuesday Night Marked the kickoff of the Eagle Ridge Golf League, and it was a beautiful day to play

It’s…….Back!!! – Finally! And so am I, although late.

At last, no more dreary days without snow. No more following the Wildcats through a good, but not a great, season. No more looking outside at 5 PM and finding it dark. No more driving at night and attempting to miss the black ice. Spring is here, and summer is around the corner. My favorite time of year.

Tuesday, April 16, was the first night of league play. However, due to my error, I did not place in the Lazer the events of April 9. That was the first play by the league members, a “kickoff.” It was not a regular league match; instead, it was a get together for all the old members to swap stories and meet the new players. The night of the get-together, Troy fixed hot dogs, sauce, and pimento cheese for an excellent start to the league.

After we ate, we had a blind draw for teams to play in a 2-man scramble format. It was a great time, and a lot of fun to meet new people and, at least for me, to see Eagle Ridge for the first time this season. Fortunately, I played with a partner I had never met. Neither had I met the other 2-man team. However, the three were good friends. What a time we had. Neither of our teams won a prize, but no other group had any more fun. None of the other players had ever golfed with a “geezer” such as I. (A geezer is someone 80 years old or older). The other players were in their 20s or early 30s. It was a total “hoot.”

Sixteen members attended the kickoff, with ten being old members and six new members. With the commitments made, it is hopeful that the league will reach a membership of 30. If you are interested, make an appearance at the pro shop on Tuesday before 5 PM.

Here are the results

Team Results

Low Score

Charlie Curnutte and Dean Stinebring -3

Ronnie Wellman and Tim Hayes -1

Troy Hughes and Jeff Thompson 0

Individual Results

Closest to the pin – #8 Dustin Kingsmore

Closest to the pin – #12 Tyler Brewer

Closest to the pin second shot – #11 Ronnie Wellman

Longest Putt – #14 James Barkman

Longest Drive – #7 John Chaffins

The prize given to the winners was a sleeve of golf balls. By the way, the weather for Tuesday, April 9, was excellent.

Now to get to our league results. First, a comment about the golf course. The only thing that I can say is that it is in extraordinarily good condition. The greens are fabulous. The only problem is that they are slow, but that is normal this time of year. The speed of the greens has increased in the week from our scramble to the first night of league play. Also, the grass is coming in fine. It is now changing color to summertime green and is going to be lush. Kudos to Rodney and his workers.

It was great to see two old friends in the league. Eddie Dixon, who played in our league several years ago and coached the Bulldog golf team, had to give up both to raise his new family. For an excellent athlete like Eddie, this was a difficult decision. That is why I know that he will be a great father. Now, he is in that interim before the children commence all the activities. So we now have him back in the league while he has the time to play. Welcome back, Eddie.

The second person that I saw, and haven’t seen in years, was Tim Hayes. Tim and I played softball together on the hospital team for about ten years. When he hit that ball, it flattened out. I have not seen him hit the golf ball, but I can only imagine how far it will go. Good to see you again Tim. I have missed you.

For opening night, we had nineteen players, which was quite good. There also were several makeup rounds submitted before Tuesday’s tee time. The scores portrayed are without handicap. Calculation of handicaps will occur at the end of four weeks. The league played the front nine. Now for the results.

Low Gross – 38 Laine Hughes

Fewest Putts – 14 Dean Stinebring

Long Putt Eddie Dixon

Closest to the pin –#3 Eddie Dixon

Closest to the pin –#17 Laine Hughes

Long drive Eddie Dixon

Closest second shot –#5 Eddie Dixon

Eddie, for someone who has not been able to play golf, I certainly can’t wait until you get your game in shape. Congratulations on a great night of golf.

Well, folks, that’s the news for the night. I will be in touch with you next week.

See you at the golf course.

Submitted: April 18, 2019

For questions or comment, contact me at billyjack.law@gmail.com