Buddy Meola
The CMGA lost a beloved member recently. Paco Venegas was not only the club’s webmaster, but he was a valued member and friend to everyone who came into contact with him. He will be sorely missed.
April was a very busy month for the members of the Cottonwood Men’s Golf Association. It started on April 1 with the monthly Ace of Aces Qualifier. The Low Gross and Low Net scores from each flight will qualify for the Ace of Aces tournament played later this year.
Blue Flight: Low Gross Tom Kastelitz, Low Net Steve Lowe
White Flight 1: Low Gross Jason Burger, Low Net Mark Lynne
White Flight 2: Low Gross Doug Friesen, Low Net David Spencer
Green Flight: Low Gross Martin Schniepp, Low Net James Kay
On April 8 a Pick Your Partner with a team one best ball format was played. It was flighted by the teams’ total handicap.
Blue Flight: Winning team: Kip Kaler and Jerry Davis, second-place team: Sam Selby and Jerry Dupasquiar
White Flight 1: Winning team: Robert Mifflin
White Flight 2: Winning team: John Perros and Leonard Streit
Green Flight: Winning team: Robert Schrote and James Kay
On April 15 a flighted Blue/White/Gold competition was held with six holes played from the Blue tees, six holes played from the White tees, and six holes played from the Gold tees. The White tee handicap adjustment was used by each player.
Blue Flight: Low Gross Ed New, Low Net Sam Selby
White Flight 1: Low Gross Thomas Bersano, Low Net Bob Reider
White Flight 2: Low Gross Jim Fergal, Low Net Tim Fettis
Green Flight: Low Gross Martin Schniepp, Low Net Ron Hance
On April 20 and 22 the popular Home and Home competition was played between the Cottonwood and Oakwood Men’s Associations. Twenty-seven two-man teams from each group played a one best ball team competition with one point awarded to the team winning the front nine, back nine, and totals. Play started on the 20th on the Lakes and Sonoran courses at Oakwood. The two-day event finished on the 22nd at Cottonwood Golf Course. The teams from Oakwood took a sizable 44.5 to 36.5 lead after play the first day, but strong play by the Cottonwood teams on Saturday reversed the score, and the 44.5 to 36.5 points earned a tie for the competition. The winner of this competition gets to possess the Cotton/Oaks cup for the year. The CMGA men won the last played competition, and the tie allows them to keep the cup until next year.
The annual Cottonwood vs. Palo Verde competition was held on April 30 and May 1. Twenty-four two-man teams from each club competed on Cottonwood Golf Course on Saturday and on Palo Verde Golf Course on Sunday. The Palo Verde teams played very well at both courses and won the two-day event with an 84-60 score. A patio party was held after play at both courses, with pizza being shared by all competitors after play at Palo Verde.