I remember as a young boy practicing my golf swing in my grandmother’s backyard using a Wiffle golf ball so not to sail one over the tall trees and into our neighbor’s corn field. I pretended to be “The King” and would proudly walk down the shortened fairway to the makeshift green and the Campbell soup can I used for a hole.
Although I never walked the real fairways behind Arnold Palmer, I felt like I was one of Arnie’s Army from afar. His influence on me, and the game overall, proved that anyone can pick up a set of clubs and enjoy the sport of golf. Palmer’s reach, even after his competitive years were over, made it easy for seasoned golfers to pass on to younger generations the importance of sportsmanship and etiquette. It is a rare person who garners so much anticipation by his mere appearance at venues like his beloved Masters. Arnie is now teeing it up with some of the greats of the game that preceded him. Thank you, Arnold Palmer.
As this is my last column for 2016, I need to preview the remaining events for the fall calendar:
Hillcrest will wrap up its tournament schedule Oct. 1st with the Todd Sieger Shootout-Coldwell Banker Heritage House Realtors event. The top-10 tournament money winners from the Hillcrest membership in the designated events for this season will tee it up for a 9-Hole Shootout starting at 9:30 a.m. There is $500 in added prize purse and bragging rights for next season.
Dalton Ranch will have three more events on their calendar, as the final Couples Tournament will be held Oct. 2nd, followed by the Men’s Senior Club Championship on October 8-9. Dalton wraps up it’s season with the annual Mailman Tournament on Oct. 29th. You still have until Sept. 30th to get on board for the Mailman event, so give the DRGC pro shop a call at 247-8774 for entry info.
Before I run down the results of two tournaments from last weekend, I would like to thank the ongoing support I receive every year from both Dalton Ranch and Hillcrest. This includes both Women’s Golf Associations for their dedication to getting me the weekly results of their Ladies Day events. I would especially like to thank the readership for their weekly appreciation, some of whom do not play the game but enjoy my occasional tongue-in-cheek comments. You keep me going every year.
Dave Patterson Memorial
3 Clubs and a Putter
Sept. 24, Hillcrest
1. Dennis Gallegos, 64.2. Aimee Fladt, 67.3. Greg Walsh, 68.T4. Steve Nakai; Valorie Nunn, 69.T6. Shriley Crom; Bryan Wells, 70.Four Corners Stroke Play
Sept. 24-25, Dalton Ranch
Championship Flight
Low Gross
1. Shea Sena, 144.2. Kermit Barrett, 147.T3. Bob Barnhardt, Gordon Miller, 158.Low Net
T1. Doug Cramer; Michael Miller, 146.3. Mark Miller, 151.First Flight
Low Gross
1. Steve Howard, 161.2. Chris Adams, 164.T3. Andrew Colbert; Rex Doyle, 168.Low Net
1. Mike Howe, 140.T2. Mike Balster; Mike Womack, 147.Second Flight
Low Gross
1. Patrick Gaughan, 168.2. Ken Van Zee, 171. 3. John Mower, 174.Low Net
1. John Betka, 143.2. Bill Brown, 145.3. Ron Luna, 146.Third Flight
Low Gross
1. Robert Elliott, 176.2. Tony Moreta, 179.3. Robert Pollock, 181.Low Net
1. David Pfeffer, 141.2. Phil Allen, 146.3. Mark Gaughan, 148.Have a fun remainder of the fall, and I hope to see you for my 36th season of the Clubhouse Porch.
Dave Bray has covered the local golf scene for 35 years. He can be reached at dbray3751@gmail.com.
