Buddy Meola
The month of March began with a two-day (March 5 and 6) Ryder Cup team event. Two teams of 28 players squared off in this competition in head-to-head match play for bragging rights. After the first day, the Blue team had a slight 15-13 lead. Though the White team tried to close the gap, a second day of good golf by the Blue team gave them a 30-26 final tally. A patio party following play was enjoyed by all participants.
March 12 was a Pick Your Partner, which allows friends to team up for a round of golf. It was flighted by the team’s total handicaps with a one net score for the 18 holes of play.
First Flight winners: Jon Stromstad and Mark Lynne
Second Flight winners: Kevin Gillespie and Scott Rogers
Third Flight winners: James Hawkins and Timothy Mandt
Fourth Flight winners: Glenn Downing and Bill Williams
Fifth Flight Winners: Timothy Fettis and Terry Cronin
On March 19 a unique team competition with a twist was held. The Pro Shop converted the Cottonwood golf course into a 10-hole cross country excursion. An example was the teams used the number 4 tee to number 5 green. Unusual for all the competitors.
First Gross Team: Steve Howard, Tim Healy, Bob Kaczmarek, and Jim Kay
First Net Team: John Flynn, Terry Cronin, Dennis Jenkins, and Bill Score
The annual member/guest competition was held on March 26 and 27. A total of 70 two-man teams played a format which included a nine-hole pick-a-drive low net score, a nine-hole alternate shot low net score, a nine-hole team one net score, and the last nine holes using the teams two net scores. The teams were divided into six flights with three flights teeing off from the blue tees and three flights using the white tees. A luncheon was held after play on Sunday to announce the winners and to present the prizes.
First Blue Flight winners: Jerry Davis and Shaun Decker
Second Blue Flight winners: Buddy Meola and Ed Niemi
Third Blue Flight winners: Steve Steinhilber and Rick Urban
First White Flight winners: Don Cerimeli and Kirk Thompson
Second White Flight winners: Duane Peyton and Scott Ossonfort
Third White Flight winners: Bill Score and Dave Hickok
Also completed in March was the Presidents Cup final match. The Presidents Cup was the culmination of the 64 qualifiers in January who squared off in match play until the last two competitors survived. Buddy Meola defeated Steve Steinhilber to win the 2022 Presidents Cup. Buddy Meola received a new golf bag as a prize.
April competition included an Ace of Aces qualifier, a Three Clubs and a Putter challenge, a two-day Home and Home team event against Oakwood Golf Association, a Pick Your Partner team one net event, and a two-day Cottonwood versus Palo Verde men’s group team event.