Buddy Meola
March was a very busy month for the Cottonwood Men’s Golf Association (CMGA) with two two-day events and a once-a-year special event, playing an unusual course set-up. The month started with the Ace of Aces Qualifier on March 4. The lowest gross score and lowest net score will qualify for the Ace of Aces Tournament at the end of the year.
Blue Tee Flight: Low Gross Bruce Beelman, Low Net John Stromstad
White Tee Flight: 1 Low Gross Stephen Martin, 1 Low Net Jason Burger
White Tee Flight: 2 Low Gross Ron Sarnicki, 2 Low Net William Moore
White Tee Flight: 3 Low Gross Bob Kaczmarek, 3 Low Net Ernest Sopzka
Green Tee Flight: Low Gross Steve Martz, Low Net Ron Hance
On March 11 and 12 the annual Jack Kinny Memorial Member/Guest sponsored by A-1 Golf Carts event was played with a challenging two-day format. The four nine-hole team scores included an alternate shot score, one net team score, a pick a drive team net score, and the last nine-hole two net team score. A luncheon was served after play on the 12 to acknowledge the winners. A total of 65 teams were divided into one Blue Tee flight and two White flights determined by team handicaps.
Blue Flight: Winning team: David Reap and Chris Reap, second place team: Jack Goyer and Justin Goyer, third place team: Buddy Meola and Ed Niemi
White Flight 1: Winning team: Dave Hickok and Brian Ott, second place team: Terry Wilson and Kevin Caldwell, third place team: James Dickie and Gerry Borden
White Flight 2: Winning team: Tim Healy and Kevin Gillette, second place team: Gene Kivi and Garrett Peterson, third place team: John Perros and Kelly McLean
On March 19 the annual Cross Country Team Scramble was played by 14 four-man teams. The Pro shop sets up the course by rearranging the tee boxes to give some interesting holes to be played. They included hole 2 tee to #3 green, #4 tee to #5 green, #6 tee to #7 green, and #8 tee to #9 green. On the shot from #4 tee to #5 green, which was about 130 yards, Bob Schaedel enjoyed the golfer’s dream of scoring a hole-in-one.
Winning team: Ron Resop, Don Cerimeli, Paul Graebke, and a fourth man blind draw
Second place team: Bob Tomsett, Buddy Meola, Jim Curren, and Paco Venegas
Third place team: Dennis Chenier, Greg Christensen, Hank Clausen, and blind draw
The two-day Ryder Cup competition played March 25 and 26 had 66 players divided into two teams, one Blue and one White. Also captaining the Blue team was head pro Jon Griglak, and captaining the White team were assistants Jaren Smool and Chris Evens. The Blue team took a 53-49 lead on day one, but the White team turned the tables on day two with a 56.5 to 45.5 total. This gave the White team bragging rights with a 105.5 to 98.5 victory.
April events included the Ace of Aces Qualifier; a pick your partner team one net score; a Blue, White, and Gold tee on selected holes; and a Home and Home competition against Oakwood Men’s Golf Association.