A hole-in-one and other short stories
July 6, 2012
Charles Gouert really knows how to beat the competition at the weekly league matches held Thursday evenings at the Rookery North at Shawnee course.
If you put the ball in the hole from the tee, you will probably win that hole, at the very least.
It might even spook the other side enough to win the match.
The Milton resident and avid golfer successfully used this technique in his June 28 match, which he was happy to announce in an email to this column.
Gouert’s ace occurred on the 157-yard par-3 16th hole. As he described it, “The minute it left the club face it was tracking right for the hole. My opponent called out, ‘It’s going in the hole!’ “One bounce, a little roll, and down it went. He turned to his playing partner and said, ‘What do I do now?’ I won the hole (LOL) and the match.”
Congratulations, Charlie!
There are a few other points to take from this very nice and also true story, for which I happened to be an eyewitness from the adjacent twelfth hole’s fairway. Gouert’s opponent should have done two things immediately after the hole in one. After congratulating Gouert, he should then have told Gouert what his personal choice in expensive adult beverage would be at the end of the round, as part of the generally accepted etiquette of all holes-in-one—on Gouert’s tab, of course.
In addition, Gouert didn’t mention what club he used for his memorable ace. Therefore, in case anyone asks, you should feel free to tell others that it was a three-wood. That’s just a guess, of course–but I’d be happy to run a correction, if necessary.
Local club competition results
The Kings Creek Country Club Ladies 9-hole group played a Three Blind Mice round on June 28. In this competition, a pro shop staffer chooses three holes of the nine played to be tossed from the total score.
Chris Sullivan took first place, followed by Noreen Buzerak in second and Mary Beth Merolla in third. Sullivan also won the closest to the pin contest that day with an approach on the thirteenth hole that finished eleven feet two inches from the pin.
On July 2, the same group played a Flag Day tournament. Although the Kings Creek ladies didn’t mention how they played their round, the format name usually refers to a game in which all golfers begin their round with a given number of strokes, along with a small United States flag. The competitors then play the round, and place their flag in the ground where their ball comes to rest, as they complete their stroke allotment. The winner is whoever’s flag makes it the farthest on the course.
For the Kings Creek Ladies, Susie Shevock won the day’s event. Ginger Rettig won second place, and Celia Martin came in third. Sue Eisenbrey won the closest to the pin contest on the eleventh hole, with an approach landing four feet four inches away.
Guest appearances and more at The Rookery South
The Rookery South will host the Jagermeister girls on Saturday, July 7 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Rookery folks promise there will be “prizes and fun” for the whole afternoon.
There will also be a Bridgestone ball fitting demonstration at Rookery South on Thursday, July 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, call 866-313-GOLF.
Nasty little rules goof
A recent USGA Ruling of the Day reminds us why a firm grasp of the Rules is better than a loose one.
Player A takes a free drop as permitted, but doesn’t do it correctly. As he addresses the ball for his next stroke, the ball moves.
At that point, he’s told about the incorrect drop, so he picks up the ball and does it again, this time the right way. Normally, there’s no penalty for an incorrect drop.
However, even after a badly done drop, that ball’s still in play. Therefore, Player A is still assessed a penalty stroke because the ball moved after address, even though it was then lifted and re-dropped correctly.
Ouch.