Buddy Meola
The two-day Ryder Cup challenge was played on March 29 and April 5. The Blue team was captained both days by Cottonwood pro Jon Griglak, and the White team was captained by PV pro Chris Evins on day one and Assistant Jaron Smool the second day. Each team consisted of 37 members who played a match play format, with one point awarded for winning the front, back, and total. The White team jumped to a 60-54 lead after day one and continued a strong performance on day two to win handily 123.5 to 101.5. Lunch was served on the patio both days to the enjoyment of all the players.
On April 12 a Blue, White, Gold event was held. Six holes each were played from the three tees with the player’s White handicap used for net score purposes. The field was divided into four flights based on handicaps.
Flight 1: Low Gross Steve Bennett, Low Net Mike Jaltuch
Flight 2: Low Gross Kip Kaler, Low Net Murrey Osborne
Flight 3: Low Gross Vic DeGrande, Low Net Todd Conn
Flight 4: Low Gross Dan Paxton, Low Net Earnie Soczka
On April 19 the monthly Ace of Aces Qualifier was played, with the low gross and low net scores from each flight qualifying for the Ace of Aces Tournament to be held at the end of the year.
Blue Flight: Low Gross Bruce Pape, Low Net Marty Oerter
White Flight 1: Low Gross Russ Laurin, Low Net Greg Stevenson
White Flight 2: Low Gross Steve Rook, Low Net Paul Homan
White Flight 3: Low Gross Bob Walk, Low Net Terry Wilson
Green Flight: Low Gross Steve Pearson, Low Net (tie) Ralph Casale and Gene Kivi
On April 26 and 27 the annual CMGA vs. PVMGA Ryder Cup was played. Matches were played at Cottonwood Golf Course on Saturday and Palo Verde on Sunday. Thirty-six two-man teams from each association competed, with one point earned for winning the front, back, and total. The Cottonwood men jumped to a 47-25 lead at their home course. Though the PV men beat the Cottonwood men on their course, it wasn’t enough to overcome the lead they held. Cottonwood won by an 80.5 to 65.5 point total.
On May 3 the monthly Ace of Aces Qualifier was played.
Blue Flight: Low Gross Marty Oerter, Low Net Rob Carr
White Flight 1: Low Gross Ed New, Low Net Jim Hipp
White Flight 2: Low Gross Steve Ramo, Low Net Ron Vail
White Flight 3: Low Gross Garrett Bertsch, Low Net Scott Reed
Green Flight: Low Gross Charlie Gilligan, Low Net Gene Kivi
The two-day Eclectic competition was played on May 10 and 17. Each player’s total low gross and low net score is determined by the best gross score they get on each hole for the two days.
Blue Flight: Low Gross Paul Reiks, Low Net Jim Rumpler
White Flight 1: Low Gross Steve Steinhilber, Low Net Tom Zentmeyer
White Flight 2: Low Gross Steve Martin, Low Net Scott Reed
Green Flight: Low Gross Gene Kivi, Low Net Tim Fettis
On May 24 a two-man Pick Your Partner team event was played using the teams’ one low net score.
Flight 1: Winning Team: Steve Howard and Seven Bennett, Second Place Team: Steven Steinhilber and Mike Kopacz
Flight 2: Winning Team: Ron Sarnicki and Ron Vail
Flight 3: Winning Team: Lee Lightfoot and Duane Peyton, Second Place Team: (tie) Hank Clausen and Paul Homan/Jim Fergal and Herbye White
On May 31 an Individual Scramble was played. A player after each shot can determine if he wants to play that shot or hit a second ball. If he chooses to hit the second ball, he must play that ball no matter what the outcome of that shot.
Blue Flight: Low Gross Paul Reiks, Low Net Tony Korman
White Flight 1: Low Gross Ed New, Low Net Tony Phillips
White Flight 2: Low Gross Lonnie Williamson, Low Net Jim Govea
White Flight 3: Low Gross Scott Reed, Low Net Steve Gentzkow
Green Flight: Low Gross Dean Hermanson, Low Net Hank Clausen
June events included the Ace of Aces Qualifier, the two-day Summer Sizzler, and a 4-man Cottonwood and Palo Verde team Beat the Pros challenge.