During play, the score for the person who is assigned the color that is in the hole is the score for the team. First place honors went to the team of Susan Waltz, Ellen Wells and Linda Cosgrove with a team score of 53. There was a three-way tie for second place with a score of 54 for the team of Stephanie Russell, Kelley House and Michele Christensen; the team of Linda MacNeil, Alex Whitney, and Nancy Stadtlander; and the team of Traci Beier, Pat Skilling and Betty Humphries. (Thanks to Trudi Snediker for her report.)
To be clear, no one should ever have to change their swing to accommodate the position of the ball. For the driver the optimal ball position should be opposite the front heel. For hitting a shot off the ground, and this would include the shorter irons, the ball position should be more forward of center but slightly behind the front heel. (Thanks to Johnny Johnson, our certified teaching professional for this tip.)
McDermott, who is not only a winning golfer but also a fine statistician, reports that in our sixth week of play Madan and Stadtlander had the low net score of 30. There was a three way tie for second place with the teams of Merrick and Fogg, McDermott and Papa and Drewette and Anderson achieving a net score of 31. Tied for third were Babcock and Morris and Spinney and Hanna with 32. In the low team putts competition Spinney and Hanna were first with 11. Tony Papa was, for the fourth time this season, closest to the pin. Closest to the line on hole seven was John Hanna.
Now, returning to the playoff competition, I must report that Tony Papa had the hottest putter I have seen in a very, very long time. Beginning with the 10th through the 16th he one putted every hole. Distances ranged from three feet to about 25 feet He was truly in the zone and as a result, the team of Olsen and Laird never had a chance.
Then on the 17th tee an unfortunate incident occurred. Papa, in taking a practice swing nicked his teed up ball and sent it into the rough to the right of the tee box. In disbelief as to what had happened, he uttered something like, “Oh no, that’s my lucky ball! I’ve got to find that ball!” We searched for it, but to no avail because the grass was so tall and thick. Then on the 17th green, as you might expect, Tony three putted to end his “train ride.” His partner, McDermott had one putt so the team headed to the 18th with eight consecutive one putt greens. McDermott, who has been keeping League statistics for several years, expressed the hope that they could get nine straight, which has never before been achieved in the Morning League.
On the 18th Papa was at the top of the green with a difficult 45 footer downhill to the flag stick and without his lucky ball. He four putted. There was still hope that McDermott might be able to keep the streak going, but as you might have already guessed, he four putted too.
Olsen and Laird were pulling for them as they had already lost the match, and for their win Papa and McDermott deserve our hearty congratulations.
You may have wondered where those single unit ball washers, shoe brushes, trash baskets and hole signs came from and appeared on the course earlier in the season. Paul explained that these were donated by Michael Jennings, former owner of Kennebec Heights Country Club, the property of which was sold to CMP. Paul worked for Jennings for several years before coming to Wawenock. He also contributed bunker rakes, approximately $5000 worth of equipment parts and a fountain for aerating the pond on the fourth hole. The fountain will be installed later in the season.
Jennings has been very helpful to Paul in allowing Wawenock to borrow equipment when needed, and being an excellent resource for Paul by giving him ideas on club management. We are indebted to Mr. Jennings for all that he has done for Paul and Wawenock.