BACKSPIN...
---Now that Anya is out of the "Big Break", I will miss the "get togethers" with all of the members who joined us seven straight Monday nights at the club. It was fun! The day she got eliminated I was on the road to Wisconsin to watch her play in the U.S. Women's Open and I watched the show at a restaurant on the road. It was not a good feeling. It is ironic that when she started playing better, it is when she ended up being eliminated. That is golf, and that is what happens in "reality shows", it does not always work quite the way you think it should be... not that I should be partial, uh?
While in the Big Break she didn't putt very well, she putted very well in the Open. Her problem was the driver which is usually pretty solid, however, this time, while she hit it solid, it was all over the place. Tough to play golf when you have no clue where the ball is going off the tee. Had she been missing one way, it would have been easy to correct, but she was missing right or left, and it was just a guess. It reminded me of Tiger a few weeks ago when he said after missing a cut: "I have Sean Foley's downswing and Hank Haney's backswing. Kind of tough playing that way". Pretty much the same frame of mind for Anya. Her scores of 82-82, included no three putts at all. Ben Hogan was right in saying that the most important club in the bag is the driver because it sets up the way you must play the hole. Anya's plans are to continue practicing and playing.
---Thank you to Blake Walker, Dustin Gunkel, Jeremy Gray, Jordan Williamson (73-75/148), Paul Gunkel, Brad Gilbert, Blake Brewer, Greg Dodson, Brian Carnes, Ricky Nagle, Sy Freeman and Mike Proctor for representing Elk City Golf & C.C. in the Dodge City Individual Invitational last weekend. Blake Walker was best among our members by finishing second in the Championship flight after scores of 67-72/139. Dustin also played very solid with a 71-73 for an even par 144.
TOP SPIN...
Keep the ball rolling forward by being aware of what is coming up:
--- KECO (this coming Saturday. We have 72 teams, 20 of which will be in the Championship Flight). Last year's winners had a 51!!! If you are not playing, come and watch!! - Championship Flight goes out in the afternoon at 1:00 p.m.). Dinner and players' party will precede the tournament on Friday, July 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Elks Club. We will publish tee times and pairings in our "Links to Elk City Favorites" section on the right by Wednesday night.
--- The following Friday (July 20), we have the "Oilman's Tournament". 36-40 teams will tee it up! Lots of door prizes.
--- As last year, the Club Championship (36 holes, stroke play) will be flighted and will be the same weekend for men and women. This year, if there are enough players, we will have two senior flights: 50-64 and 65 and over. All players 49 and under, will be flighted as well. Defending champions are: Joby Gray (Men's Champion); Ann Cowan (Women); Harry Payne (Seniors); Paul Gunkel (A Flight); Don Murphey (B Flight). Tournament is set for July 28-29. There will be a Match Play Championship at a later date TBA.
--- Tumbleweed Twosome is already drawing several couples. Call to sign up as soon as you can. A list of players who are already signed up will be listed in the Favorites Section on the right of this page later this week.
--- GPN Bank's Bedlam Cup was moved from October to August. This year there are some changes, some of which are worth noting here:
a) It will be one day only (Saturday, August 25)
b) Players will invited at low or very little cost
c) Elk City will qualify two teams to represent the two branches in Elk City, but they will be playing against each other
d) The Club Championship and a later event will help us qualify and select our team. More details available later in July.
e) As last year, it will be match play, but play will be in different formats (the tournament will be played at 27 or 36 holes in one day and each nine holes will have a different format: formats being considered are "Best Ball", "Alternate Shots", "Scramble", "Aggregate" or Individual). IT WILL BE FUN!!