“In order to be the champion, you’ve got to play the best, you’ve got to beat the best”

August 28, 2025

This week’s blog entry title is a quote from NFL coach Doug Pederson… we’re working that credo right now with our mini round robin pitting the top 4 teams through 13 weeks against each other for these final 3 matches… so here we go…

Weather and course conditions in general are improving with the weather… dry and a few degrees below normal as opposed to the oppressive heat and humidity we suffered through the first half of August. While the dearth of moisture has firmed the greens it also has allowed for a “British Open” feel to the fairways and roughs that often benefits shots mishit short as balls formerly trapped in clover strewn rough now often roll towards their intended targets.

Eleven players rolled the dice and coughed up $5 to try for skins/near pin… even a single birdie in the field would have won the $33 skins pot but alas none were to found so next week there will be carry over and hence a big payout. Check out the skins report and see how Mike Lor, Kenny (two gloves) Joseph, and Gary Hessberger covered each other’s skins with pars on several holes… John Madeo must have had a hunch as he threw his sawbuck into the hat and ended up winning $22 near pin with a 13′ 2″ dart on the 6th green… too bad he missed his birdie putt or he would have grabbed the whole pot! Next week’s near pin will be on hole #7

Get well soon Giant Killers Tony / Lou – both are suffering with upper respiratory maladies … maybe Lou can shut off the A/C and open the windows on his gator/cart now that the heat has abated?

This week’s schedule:

  • Defending Champs Mike/Gary vs Mitch/Larry
  • Up and Comers Andrew / Jerrod vs Gold Tee Boys Lenny / Derek
  • Battle of New Giant Killers: Yvan / John Z vs Two Glove Kids Kenny / Ron
  • New Kids on the Block Jake / Josh Slater vs Near Pin John M / Hole in One Bill
  • Sub Florida Evan / Silicon Valley Chris vs Original Giant Killers Tony / Lou
The Giant Killers were hurtin’ and no subs were found; the Slaters didn’t keep a scorecard but only provided twin gross 36 results so your league admin gave them 4’s on all holes… ummm we can all do better than this, can’t we?
Team 6 holds onto 2nd place over the 3rd place Gold Tee boys as Jerrod would have parred his final 6 holes had he not stumbled to a bogie on the toughest little par 3 in the Catskills… BTW if swapping balls mid hole was allowed we’d all hit “Pirate” rock hard distance balls off the tee and switch over to squishy balls on the greens to putt with… nope can’t do that
John had himself another fine round with a net 26 and team 4 won by 3 points… their three 2-0 hole wins were the difference as the match was close hole by hole : they won 4, lost 3, and tied 2
The defending champs expressed their dominance – won 6 holes ( 3 by 2-0 ), lost only 1, and tied 2 to win by 8 points and stretch their league lead … and we gave Mike 1 stroke because?
The new Giant Killers both shot under net par to offset Chris Smith’s league best / week’s best / season’s best 39 (net 21 !!!) (bye bye 18 handicap, hello Nick Malaxos Sandbagger of the Year nomination)