The first annual CTC finale went off this past weekend and what a match it was. Some outstanding golf played by all in some very difficult conditions.
After Panda defeated Owl in a closely contested putting match, the field was set.
After a shaky first hole and a really well played hole 2, there was still no blood drawn as we walked past the majestic crooked tree.
That all changed on hole 3. The team of Ram and Eel drew first blood. After a flush second shot and a brilliant birdie putt by eel partnered with a solid par by ram, they were able to pick up 2 points.
4th hole brought some controversy. After everyone hit their second shots, we heard a yell from hole 3. It was Steve “McNaughty or Nice” informing us that someone had hit the wrong Titleist 1. This unfortunately was Eel. After this, Panda made a very clutch comebacker for par helping him and eel to only lose one.
5th hole was another crucial hole. Eel and Ram were partnered up again and were able to score 2 points with 2 pars.
6th hole saw Eagle make a 20 footer for bird, giving him and ram a chance for good history. Ram burned the edge on his putt to only pick up one.
7th was a hole to remember. With the wind howling – all 4 players played the hole really well. Eel with the shot of the day hit a cut driver off the deck from short of the right bunker to about 8 feet to a back right pin. But it was Ram who had the putt of the day sinking a 25 foot double breaker for bird. This was very big as eel and panda both got shots, and picked up only one with their 2 putt pars.
8 and 9 were also well played. All 4 players made pars on these 2 tricky par 3’s.
After 9 holes the scores were:
Ram 6
Eel 5
Eagle 2
Panda 1
10th hole saw Eel and Eagle trade birdies on opposite teams with panda and ram trading solid pars.
With the next 4 Brent Balltosses unbelievably working out that Eagle and Panda were partners, this was their opportunity to catch up. Unfortunately for them, Ram and Eel kept up with their solid play. Eel with 2 birds and 2 bogs, and ram with 4 straight pars, were able to pick up 2 on 11, 1 on 13, but gave one back on 14.
On 15, the Balltoss finally gave us a different partnership. Eel was with eagle, panda with ram. After eel and ram both made pars, panda and eagle bogeys – there was still no blood.
16 gave us Panda/Eel v Ram/Eagle. With a decent-sized gallery clapping after every shot, all 4 players hit the green in 2, but had tricky 2 putts. Eagle blew his bird putt by but was able to make a decent sized comebacker. Ram and Panda both converted their 2 putts. Eel unfortunately missed his 3 foot comebacker for par, giving ram his first 2 point lead since hole 6.
The balltoss on 17 was not kind to eel, giving him ram for the 7th time in the round, eliminating a chance to catch up on this hole. After hitting his second shot left, eel came up with another brilliant shot holing out a chip for EAGS. Incredible with crooked tree in the background. Ram had a chance for the first ever eagle history after hitting 2 solid shots. He gave it a good go but missed on the right side. Panda had a nice little chip to make birdie to only lose one.
So the stage was set for 18. Ram up by 2 over Eel. Eel needed a partner other than ram to have a chance, and he got his wish. It was Eel/Eagle v Ram/Panda. After 4 very solid drives – anything could still happen. On the second shots, it was eagle who threw a serious dart at the pin. WHOA! It was then realized that if eel made his putt he could still win outright with good history!! Panda hit a solid chip to about 6 feet. Ram hit his birdie putt to 3 feet. It was now Eels turn. About a 20 footer that looked good the whole way but just burned the lip!!! Still not over though. With Eel getting a stroke and eagle in tight, they still had a decent chance to pick up 2. Panda calmly stepped up and made his 6 foot slider clinching the victory and the first ever Crooked Tree Cup Title for Ram. What a great finish!!
2012 has already started. A couple of changes/tweaks to be made: (let me know if you think of any ideas)
Minimum amount of games will be moved up from 6 to 10.
10 shot rule is strictly net. (if the one player’s net score on the losing team beats the other player’s net score by 10 shots or more, they will have to buy both players drinks)
But here’s the biggest one:
To qualify for the CTC Finale – you must place in the top 3 this year. Players finishing 4th to 7th will have a play-in round the morning of the CTC. With 4th getting 4 strokes, 5th-2, 6th -1, 7th – 0. The format will be the same as the CTC finale, with the winner moving up to 4th place to play in the finale.
We will continue trying to have Gentleman’s nights – the last Saturday of every month.
There’s talk of having a 1 dollar a round per player to build up a little fund at the end of the year to throw a little party or something. Let me know what you think of that one.
I will try to gather some good stats for 2011 and send them out in the next little while.
Thanks to everyone for a great year!
WOLF