Weekend Update

Bud's Boys News

This expanded edition will include results from Thursday and Friday, Bud's Boys play in outside tournaments, and other bits of info about the 'Boys'. We will start, however, with the recently completed month of September.

September Review 

September gave us 15 days of play including our CGOTY tournament. Twenty-eight different BB's played 209 rounds of golf, about 14 players per day.

Rick, Clint, Bob, and Butch were multiple CTP winners, each claiming 2.

Brandon, Keith, Rodney, and Butch each earned 2 Medals for the month.

The 2 players who improved their handicap # the most from beginning to end of the month were Raymond (+4) and Rick (+3), who just happened to finish 1-2 in our big tourney. Speaking of the tournament, it was brought to my attention that there were 2 new records set. Raymond set a new tournament scoring record with a +12 and also becomes the youngest player to ever win the Big Trophy. How about that!

CTP Race

Updated standings through Friday 10/13. With 4 CTP's in the last 30 days, Bob has charged up the list to tie Tom and Glen for the lead with 12. Raymond remains 1 back at 11. Doc and Jeff are longshots with 8.

CTP Average

I did this last year, probably during the baseball playoffs, where I gave our players their "batting average" to see who had the highest percentage of CTP's relative to their attempts. For example, if Ted Williams gets 20 hits in 50 at bats, he is hitting .400. (20/50=.400)

For Bud's Boys, a typical day has 14 players. If you got your fair share of CTP's, it would be 1 out of 14 or a batting average of .071. Naturally our sharp shooters average better than that. Here are our most accurate 10 players.

Starting with the bottom half, here is the list.

Number 6 is Jeff 8/69 = .116    (8 CTP's in 69 attempts)

Number 7 is Tom 12/110 = .109

Number 8 is Butch 6/59 = .102

Number 9 is Doc 8/80 = .100

and Keith also 5/50 = .100

Number 3 through 5 are all contenders for the CTP crown.

Number 3 is Raymond 11/87 = .126

Number 4 is Glen 12/97 = .124

Number 5 is Bob 12/98 = .122

Have you guessed the top 2? They are both 'part time' players but have put their mark on the 18th green with precision.

Number 2 is Clint 7/52 = .135

And the leader is..........drum roll please..............

 Deano, who proves you don't need to practice, or even play much for that matter, to beat the likes of our usual bunch.

Number 1 is Dean 5/26 = .192    Dean you are my hero.

SEMO Seniors

After twice finishing 1 spot out of the money, Gary breaks the streak with a 5th place finish at the Lead Belt tourney, good for 25 Semo Senior Bucks.

Bigger news, however, came from the tournament at Forsche Valley in Potosi. 

Yes, that is our own Sergeant-at Arms Leroy taking First Place. Congrats on another big victory.

This tourney was just a warmup for Leroy. His biggest goal was still ahead.

It has been explained to me that the Jackson Elks has always been a very large part of Leroy's adult life. He could be considered something of a 'Founding Father' as it has been told to me. He has twice been the 'Grand Poo Bah' of the organization.

But what he really wanted was to win the Jackson Elks Golf Tournament this year. He planned in advance and brought in Tom (our highest rated player at 36) as his hired-gun guest to assist in his quest.

Leroy let Tom carry the load for the first 15 holes but knew he would have to do something special himself to bring home the 1st place trophy. Here is a breakdown of those last 3 holes.

Hole 16

We started on hole 4 in the shotgun start so our 16th hole is number 1 at Bent Creek, a tough par 4. From about 140 yards Leroy was the only team member to hit the green. Unfortunately, it was a 25-footer with some break. Undeterred, Leroy steps up first and drills the putt for the birdie. The significance of this hole will be spelled out later.

Hole 17 (number 2 Bent Creek)

After 2 shots on this par 5 we were just over the green. None of the 4 delicate chip shots would stay closer than 8-9 feet. The first 2 attempts would not fall, but never fear, Leroy drains that putt for another birdie.

Hole 18 (number 3 Bent Creek)

A booming drive by Tom left the team about 45 yards short of the par 4. It was clear to me that in the last 3 holes Leroy's demeanor had changed from 'let's have a good time' to a seriousness that said 'this tournament means a lot to me'.  He stepped up to the ball, his sangfroid in clear evidence, and struck the tiny sphere into the air with a confident swing......

that stops about a foot from the cup. Tap in birdie ends the round, time to see where the team stands.

Results

We finished in a tie for first at -12 with a 60. Remember that birdie on number 1?

It won a skin, no other team could birdie the hole.

The birdie on 1 was needed for us to tie for first. To break the tie for first there was a scorecard playoff that started on (you guessed it) number 1. Who knew how big that birdie putt on #1 would be? Leroy has his First Place Trophy!

The winners count their spoils.

Another skin was won on #9 as Tom drove to the fringe on the par 4 and also made the putt.

Leroy gets congratulations from the Elks golf tournament Queen. (Where exactly is that right hand Leroy?)

More than the money, Leroy gets bragging rights at the Elks club for the coming year.

Rodney Spotted at Local Walmart

Recovering nicely from shoulder surgery, Rodney says he will likely play the blue tees on his return with his new found power.

Thursday Play

Bob (+8) and Gerald (+5) carry Mikey along to win FBT and Medalist Thursday to nearly sweep the day. Randy's CTP ruins their perfect game attempt.

The round was slowed terribly by an outing from some visitors which led to today's 'Quote of the Day'.

Raymond: "Keith says this slow play is hurting his game."

Friday

Rabbit Friday was a war against the wind, won by the Westbrooks. (and Allen & KZ)

Anita is the Medalist and Bob wins the CTP.