ELK CITY RETAINED BEDLAM CUP WITH SOLID PLAY

Team Hollis Country Club
The second edition of the Bedlam Cup Matches by Great Plains National Bank hosted six teams of 16 players, including two teams from Elk City Golf & Country Club. The day for golf could not have been better... starting and ending with the fact that the projected rain did not come until a few hours after  the last stroke of the 27 hole tournament had been struck..., with all of its power, lightning and 1 1/2" of water in about 20 minutes! Had it caught us in the course, it is probable that the tournament may have been cancelled or reduced to 18 or nine holes. Thank you God!

Team Sayre Golf Club
The matches, intended to be a friendly competition between sister cities in Western Oklahoma is still in its infancy, and this year it hosted teams from Mangum (second appearance) plus a first time teams from Hollis, Cordell and Sayre, all of whom we thank for their participation and friendship. We hope that you had a good time and that you felt at home and that "ya'all" come and visit us!

Each team of 16 players was divided into eight (8) 2-Man teams that played 9 holes "low ball" (mandatory on holes 1-9), 9 holes "scramble" (mandatory on holes 10-18), and 9 holes "alternate shots" (all 18 holes were used with half of each team playing the front nine and half playing the back nine).

Team Cordell Country Club
The best 4 scores in each format were matched between each team (1st score vs 1st score, 2nd score vs 2nd score, etc). One point was awarded for a match-up in "low ball" and "scramble" and 2 points for each match up in "alternate shots".

After the first eighteen holes, the local favorite, the "A" team of Elk City, led by club champion Russ Smith and brother Cory (former all American and former club pro in Elk City) had won 39 out of possible 40 points (19 1/2 each in "low ball" and "scramble), Elk City "B" was second with 27 1/2 points, Sayre was at 22 points and Mangum was next at 14 1/2.

Team Mangum Golf Club
With 40 points per team possible  in the "alternate shot" scramble, it was mathematically possible for any team, to actually win the cup, something most everyone felt was not possible. The short term goal of the trailing teams was to see who could win the "silver medal" against the "Dream Team", and the long term long would be to see if anyone could catch lighting in a bottle and upset the "A" team. When the last stroke was played, the "A" team retained the lead by socring 39 points of possible 40 and winning a total of 78 points of 80!

With that correct prediction in mind, the "short term" goal was still alive and in play and Mangum and Sayre had their sights on Elk City "B".

Team Elk City Golf & Country Club "A"
Evidently, Brad Spitzer, our friend, member (dual member in Sayre and Elk City) and team captain from Sayre, did the right changes and hole assignments and outsmarted me (I did the pairings for the "B" team) by winning 32 points in the last nine and took second place 54 points to 46 1/2 (we won 19 points out of 40). Mangum came in fourth place with 32 1/2 points.

IN THE END THE ORIGINAL OBJECTIVE OF THE TOURNAMENT WAS ACHIEVED: EVERYONE HAD FUN!

I'd like to close by thanking Mark Russell, Bob Maine, Robert Garton and Erika Elsron from Great Plains National Bank and the Williamson family (Mike, Jordan & Jonathan) for their support of this event, as well as all of the players listed below (listed in alphabetical order by first name):

Team Elk City Golf & Country Club "B"
HOLLIS COUNTRY CLUB: Chad Shotts, Chris Ellison, Colby Davidson, Colby Earls, David Cummins (Captain), Gary Lynn Randall, Gary Robinson, Herbert Johnson, Jim Moore, Larry Daniel, Larry Taylor, Michael Moore, Roger Robinson, Russell Riley, Shane Cobb, Wilcey Rippetoe.

SAYRE GOLF CLUB: Allan Barnett, Bill Arganbright, Bobby Martin, Brad Spitzer (Captain), Bryan Markham, Craig Puckett, Geary Don Burrows, Jacob Mayfield, Jay Moynihan, Justin Robinson, Michael Robinson, Mike Robinson, Stan Perry, Steve Brooks, Warren Mayfield, Wayne Robinson.

CORDELL COUNTRY CLUB: Brian Wenninger, Doug Bardwell, Gary Adkins, Gary Madison, Holden McCracken, Jerry Burrows, Jim Burrows, Kelly Wilmouth, Ken McCracken, Mac Brunker, Max Booth, Randy Britton, Randy Wenninger (Captain), Ryan Walton, Sonny Clay, Terry Britton.

MANGUM GOLF CLUB: Charlie Patrick, Clay Toole, Cody Toole, Dean Colvins, Gordon Layman, Jay Cross, Jymmy Joe Martin, Kacy Marquat, Kirk Towe, Matt Monroe, Merlin Nippert, Michael Hamblin, Robert Garton (Captain), Ron Lehrman, Rusty Rickerd, Travis Reese.

ELK CITY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (Both Teams): Alfred Galyean, Andrew Albert, Berek Dyson, Blake Brewer, Blake Walker, Bob Miller, Brad O'hara, Brandon Thomas, Brock Walker, Cory Smith, Craig Martin, David Dyson, Don Andrews, Eddie Davis, Grady Lantz, Greg Dodson, Jack Christian, Jeff Rule, Jeremy Gray, Jordan WIlliamson, Jorey Price, Keith Hulen, Logan Gore, Mike Starbuck, Paul Gunkel, Ronnie Smith, Russ Smith (Captain "A"), Rocky Andresen, Rusty Wilson, Sean Cowan, Shawn Wilson, Tyler Windsor.








ALL SET FOR GPN BANK'S BEDLAM CUP WITH SIX TEAMS TOTAL

It is all set for Saturday's Bedlam Cup Matches. Six teams will compete for bragging rights and to help raise funds for the Relay For Life group.

The teams are: Elk City "A", Elk City "B", Hollis, Mangum, Cordell and Sayre.

All teams will play 9 holes "Low Ball", 9 holes "Scramble" and 9 holes "Alternate Shots".

Holes #1-#9 will be for Low Ball, Holes, #10-#18 will be for scramble, and for the alternate shots format, 1/2 of each team will play the front nine and 1/2 of each team will play the back nine. Team captains will choose which teams play which nine holes. There will definitely be some strategy involved here since the front nine only has one par 5 hole and 2 par 3 holes for a par of 35; the back nine has equal number of par 3's, 4's and 5's, and it is easier to score there in scrambles, but it has potential for disaster in more holes for the alternate shot format.... we will leave this decision to each captain!

For the first 18 holes, teams will complete each nine holes then go to the second nine holes, meaning if a group starts on #7, they will play #7, #8 & #9, then go back to #1 and play through #6 where they will finish. After completing the front nine, they will go to their assigned hole on the back nine for the scramble format. The same will be done for groups starting on the back nine with the scramble. Same 2-Man teams who play scramble, will play low ball and vice-versa.

However, for the alternate shots, team captains may change their two man teams or the team numbers so that they can choose who goes to the front nine and who goes to the back nine (four teams will be assigned to front nine and four teams to back nine of each city)

The best four (best 4) scores in low ball and scramble formats will be eligible for points as follows: the best score of each city, will be matched against the best score of each other city (against 5 other scores). Each match up is worth a point. Then the second best score will be matched up against the second best score of each other city and will repeat the procedure until all top four scores are matched.

After the first 18 holes, we will have lunch, and record all scores so that each team can check how they stand. Then, no matter how far back a team is after 18 holes.... the alternate shot format will counts double points in the same manner (top four scores are matched against their counterparts with 2 points at stake in each match-up! So there is always a mathematical way that any team can win the Bedlam Cup by scoring more points in the last nine holes.

Click to see 2-Man Teams
Click to see first nine hole assignments
Click to see second nine hole assignments
Click to see third nine hole assignments

See you at the golf course!!!

PLAYING FOR PRIDE!

Coming up is the second edition of the "Bedlam Cup" hosted by Great Plains National Bank . The cup matches are indeed, an inter-club tournament meant to have a LITTLE COMPETITION against other Western Oklahoma's golf courses, and a WHOLE LOT OF FUN. So far, Hollis, Mangum and Sayre will send teams to Elk City on August the 25th. Cordell and Hobart are also strong possibilities.

During last year's inaugural Cup, the only two teams competing were Mangum and Elk City, with Elk City winning the cup. This year, though, it will be tougher even with two representing teams.

Last year's team captains of the inaugural Bedlam Cup:
Bob Maine for Elk City & Robert Garton for Mangum.
This year the format will be as follows: each team will have a maximum of 16 players, which will be divided into eight (8) 2-Man teams. The 2-Man teams will compete in Low Ball (or "best ball"), scramble and alternate shots (9 holes in each format for a total of 27 holes). The best four scores of each team will count for points. The top score of each team will be matched against each other, the same procedure will be done for the second, third and fourth best scores of each team. Each match-up is worth one point in low ball and scramble, and two points in alternate shots. The team with the most points will win the Bedlam Cup.

Elk City will have two full teams competing independently. The first team will be captained by Russ Smith, our current club champion. Assistant to Russ will be Jordan Williamson and Ronnie Smith (senior champion). The top eight scores the club championship make the 1st team, the next eight are captain's picks (at least 2 must have played in the Club Championship). The rest of the roster will make the 2nd team.

Inaugural Champions!
The tournament's prize is pretty much pure golf: BRAGGING RIGHTS in Western Oklahoma... with the only financial winner being the Relay for Life group as all proceeds will be donated to this worthy cause.

I have the honor of being the host professional as well as being co-chairman of the event with Robert Garton, president of Great Plains National Bank of Mangum, OK. As last year, Robert is also Mangum's team's captain and we could not have a better die hard competitor!

We will publish the full team on Wednesday... and FEEL FREE -AND HOPEFULLY PROUD- TO COME AND WATCH YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS IN ACTION!

32 UNDER PAR WINS TUMBLEWEED COUPLES

32 under brings a lot of smiles!
Jeff & Linda Rule improved 7 shots
from a slow start, so they were happy!
You would think that 32 under over two days coming from a couple of golfers, even playing in a scramble format, would win by 10 shots... at least, but that was not the case. Not here.

The Championship Flight of the 2012 Tumbleweed Couples was anything but a "runaway" tournament, so, after an opening 15 under par 57, David & Rachel Poole kept the pressure on the other couples, and added a 58 to win by three shots over Rusty Wilson and daughter Kelsi who opened with a 60 and closed with a matching 58

On her way to an eagle on #4!
Yes... the ball came out!!
Last year, David and Rachel had to settle for second place (won a playoff against Dustin Gunkel and sister Haley) after scoring 117 after David Dyson and partner Taylor Neidi shot 116 (60-56) to beat both couples by one shot. So, this year, the Poole's were determined to better their score from last year and see if it would hold up. It did. Defending champions David and Taylor were third with a 61-59 and in 4th were Dustin and Haley with 61-60. In short, this flight was as competitive as is can be where a putt here or there can make the difference.

This is how you team up!
You think I'm kidding? It did
happen! Just ask Joyce!
The tournament, which is a favorite of many, ended up with 58 couples divided in 5 flights -in addition to the championship flight, you had "A", "B", "C" and "D" flights, and all were very, very competitive.

The "A" Flight was won by Blake & Rikki Bergman who manged to score 126 (66-60), they were followed by Michael & Ann Cowan at 127 (62-65), then Brad & Dayva Spitzer took third with a 129 (63-66) and in a tie for 4th at 130 were Tom & Brenda Gilliland (65-65) and Paul Gunkel and daughter Tori Windsor (64-66).

"Wynn" or not, we are happy!
"See that spot? Hit it there and
it'll go in!" (she did and it did!)
The "B" Flight was pretty close as well. Jerry & Jacklyn Oldham won top honors with 133 (69-64). In second place at 135 (69-66) were Jack Coody &  U.V. Williamson. Just one shot back at 136, we had four teams in a tie for third place: Rodney & Sara Cloud (70-66); Brian & Stacey Fox (70-66); Cole & Shelly Bynum (68-68) and Levi Robison & Kathy Bell (68-68).

In the "C" Flight, Tom & Pat Bender had top honors with a 142 (72-70), they were followed by Ronnie & Gena Morley at 143 (72-71); tied for third at 145 there were three teams, Keith Hulen & Ramona Alvarez (72-73), Dewey & Rita Coats (72-73) and Galen & Susie Oliphant (73-72).
Defending champions placed 3rd
Patty Lorenz & hubby Monty
go by the name of "Babe"...
same nickname as in my house!

The "D" Flight was won by Richard & Tammy Hammonds who had a 152 (78-74), one shot back at 153 (80-73) were Paul & Sharon Hill, in third at 156 (80-76) were Bob & Betty Maine and in fourth place, at 158 (78-80) were Jason & Randi Wynn.

A special thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers who make this possible. A special thanks to Katy Womack, Michael Womack and Ann Cowan, all of whom, as always, made their efforts pay off with a great field and additional funds for prizes, door prizes and tournament gifts...

That is how you hit it in the fairway!
(Left arm straight! with shaft)

THANK YOU ALL AND SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!





IN MEMORY OF JAMES ELLIS.... A CART RIDE THAT NEVER HAPPENED.

"I slept and dreamt that life was joy; I awoke and realized that life was about service; I acted, and behold, I found out that in serving, there is joy" (Rabindranath Tagore)

I first met James and Joyce Ellis shortly after we arrived in Elk City some 18 months ago. One afternoon, just a few days after we had started working here, Joyce brought us some delicious pastries and promised James would come later that afternoon if we planned to be around. We did. Shortly afterwards, James Ellis walked in the pro-shop and introduced himself to offer one of those "Welcome to Elk City" visits.

He offered his support, both personal and professional, and left us with the feeling that everything in Elk City would be just fine. He was right, but now I know that he was right because he knew how he had set things in motion during his two decades of service in order to make things work for the benefit of the membership and visiting golfers.

Whenever I spoke to people from out of town that I was the new golf professional at Elk City, they would invariably ask about Mr. Ellis, "Have you met James Ellis?", "Does he still live in town?", "Is his health okay?", "Does he still play golf?", "He really cared for people"... In just a few seconds, you could sense the respect that people had for this man, and you could sense how he helped build Elk City Golf & Country Club's reputation in Western Oklahoma. Even sales reps would ask for him, even though he was no longer in business.

All of this gave Ramona and I the sense that we had been invited and received to be part of something really good, because as it proved to be, James Ellis did not set things in motion to help himself, but to serve others. We felt privileged to be part of it, even if we were not part of the history on how it had all happened.

You could tell from that first conversation that afternoon, and a few other short short visits and encounters, that Mr. Ellis was one who lived his Christian faith by being a witness of what he believed in, not by wanting to draw attention to himself. From everything I heard about him, he was a friend, a teacher and mentor to many. He touched many lives, including Ramona and myself, even if we only spent a few minutes altogether during the past 18 months. Without saying it outright, he truly believed in leaving things and people, better than you found them, and Elk City Golf & Country Club has a great reputation in the golf business because of him.

I last saw James Ellis a few weeks ago when I stopped by to visit him a few days after one of those frequent and scary hospital visits of the last few months. I knew I risked being turned down if he was still in bed, but I was happy to see that he was in his living room with Joyce. His face had this peace and joy that was truly contagious. He welcomed me and we began talking about his old friends, but he especially wanted to talk about kids. To my surprise, he asked by name about Joby, Berek, Keegan and the "Walker Kids", and we spoke about other kids he'd like to meet. They were all special to him.

When we finally said "good bye", we agreed that as soon as he was feeling stronger, I would pick him up and take him for a ride on a golf cart to visit around with golfers. I am sure he wanted to see his old friends as much as he wanted to see that things were still in place to serve all golfers. From my perspective, I also wanted to introduce him to those who didn't know him, but knew of him... "this is the man everyone talks about". Soon afterwards, his health began to give him problems again and, to our loss, the golf cart ride never happened.

Mr. Ellis, you will be missed... Sir!

From Alex, Ramona and all of those who cam in contact with you.

P.S. For more comments from all those who loved and appreciated Mr. Ellis, please go to our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/elkcitygolf

GOLF DOES NOT BELONG IN THE OLYMPICS...

As a sports fan, I am watching the Olympics in London and I have to admit I am disappointed in many fronts, not to mention confused about what sports represent to people. This 2012 Olympic Games have been made "famous" for not so good things, including stories about how many condoms were distributed to the athletes. Surely that is what families of athletes wanted to hear. By the way, the condom story and how much sex there is among athletes was covered much more than the fact that an amputee athlete from South Africa was the first amputee ever to qualify for the Olympic Games to compete against the big boys... Now, that is something to talk and write about!

Instead, we find out that many rules have changed and in the "interest of equality", instead of the interest of excellence. Gone are the days when a country could finish 1,2,3 in all sports (i.e. gymnastics) because in the "spirit of equality", each country can only send two athletes to the finals, never mind that some that qualified did not have a chance to win or even place. That rule needs to change. The same goes in swimming and several other sports. Face it, just to represent your country in the Olympics is as big a deal as it gets. The athletes know that. The fans know that. And if you make the finals, let the best of all be in the finals, even if the best of all are from one country. And yes, the best will probably win, but the second best could be left in the shadows and their names never heard of because they happen to be in the "Tiger Woods" team of any sport.

Other rules that need to be changed:

1.- Since when losing a match would give you a better chance to play against a weaker opponent? That rule needs to be changed. The athletes who were disqualified in badminton for not giving their best were just using the system that the Olympic Committee came up with. Yes, they were wrong in not doing their best, but frankly, those rules are as "guilty" as the players, and those who wrote the rules should leave the committee as well.

2.- Similar to the badminton happened in one of the cycling races. A team -that ultimately won- had a start in which the rules allowed the cyclist to have a second start if he fell down.. guess what: the cyclist did not like his start, fell down in purpose, and started all over again. This time winning the race and a gold medal. Here is an analogy, you hit a bad drive on the first hole so you purposely turn sideways, aim out of bounds so you can have a new start? Would you think Tom Watson or Jack Nicklaus do that? Would you do it?

In short, the Olympic Committee needs to revise the rules on certain sports so that mediocrity or bad play is not rewarded.  There needs to be seeding like in golf or tennis. You pair up #1 vs 64, #2 vs 63, etc. You give the better seeded players, because of their previous performance, a better chance to keep going, not the other way around. If the Olympic Committee (probably coming from the U.N.) ever got hold of the NFL, they would probably want every team to finish 8 and 8!

When golf comes around, it is more of a game than a sport and I suggest a few changes to  make it an Olympic sport:

1. ABSOLUTELY NO CADDIES - LIKE AMATEUR COLLEGE GOLF.

2. NO PROS ADMITTED - SOME GAMES IN THE OLYMPICS SHOULD BE FOR AMATEURS ONLY: GOLF, BASKETBALL, TENNIS AND SOCCER INCLUDED.

3. LIKE THE BIATHLON, THERE IS A SCORE (YOUR ACTUAL SCORE) WHICH COMBINES WITH TIME TAKEN. YOU TAKE MORE THAN 3 1/2 HOURS, YOU ARE OUT. DURING THE ROUND, IF YOU TAKE MORE THAN 30 SECONDS FOR ANY ONE SHOT, YOU GET A PENALTY STROKE.

4. THE TOP FOUR IN THE WORLD RANKINGS OF EACH COUNTRY QUALIFY FOR THE OLYMPICS... IF YOU WANT TO SEND THEM EVEN IF YOU ARE RANKED 453rd.

5. THE TOUGH GETS TOUGHER: ALL QUALIFIERS WILL PLAY 36 HOLES STROKE PLAY IN TWOSOMES AT THE TUNE OF A ZAMBA. HIT WHEN YOU ARE READY AND FINISH INSIDE 3 HOURS. TOP 64 MAKE IT TO MATCH PLAY WHERE EXCELLENCE IS REWARDED: 1 vs 64, 2 vs 63, 3 vs 62, ETC.

6. MATCH PLAY IS MODIFIED: IF THERE IS A TIE, THE PLAYERS WITH LESS TIME TO COMPLETE HIS ROUND IS THE WINNER. IF THERE IS A TIE, THEN THE ATHLETE WHO HAD LESS STROKES IN HIS ROUND.

7. AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, WHEN -HOPEFULLY AN AMERICAN PLAYER-,  WINS THE GOLD MEDAL, HE WILL PUT HIS HAND OVER HIS HEART WHEN THE NATIONAL ANTHEM IS PLAYED!