2021 – Week Fifteen

Golf is Hard.
If it were easy, it’d be called “your mom”.

Of course, you already knew this, but US Open week arrived and reminded us all just how tough this game really is.

The scores were high – and that was expected.

It’s “US Open Week” for a reason. It’s supposed to be hard. We play from the back tees. We play the ball down. When we hit one out of bounds or lose a ball, it’s a stroke and distance penalty. We putt everything out… no gimmies. Once a year, simply put, we play by the rules of golf. Scores are supposed to be high.

The frustration levels were even higher – and that was un-expected.

This event has been around since 2016 and for the most part, even though difficult, there was never this much bitching and moaning after the round… and it was magnificent. At one point there were so many tears I thought the sprinkler system came on.

Most simply needed to take deep breath and relax. Just for a reference point, here are some quotes from actual PGA Tour Players from actual US Opens over the years.

Ryan Moore – Pebble Beach, 2010
In referring to the USGA… “I feel like instead of difficulty, they just go for trickiness. I think they go for a spectacle; they want to draw attention and make everyone look stupid. It made me hate golf for about 2 months”

John Daly – Pinehurst #2, 199
“This is my last US Open ever. I’ve had it with the USGA and they way they run their tournaments. The USGA loves to embarrass guys playing in this event. I don’t consider the US Open a Major anymore. I’m not going to Pebble Beach next year and watch the USGA ruin that course too.”

Tom Lehman – Olympic Club, 1998
“The way the USGA set this up was unfair and all the guys I talked to feel the same way”

Hale Irwin – Winged Foot, 1974
“We were all dumbfounded by how difficult it was. I was easily the most difficult golf course I’ve ever seen.” When asked about the finishing holes he replied “ the last 18 of them were all very difficult”

Dave Hill – Hazeltine Golf Club, 1970
Hill said that course designer Robert Trent Jones Sr must have had the blueprints upside down when he built it then added “ they ruined a good farm when they built this. They should plow it up and start over”

There were a lot of great quotes from our league too (and a lot of tears). Most comments sounded much like the above but I’d be here all night re-hashing all the quotes from Thursday… but I have to give you one. My favorite one came from my friend and Vegas partner Danny Roller. In a moment of frustration Danny said something along the lines of “We need to get rid of all the events… especially the gimmicky ones. I hate battle golf and I hate US Open Week and for this league, playing by the rules of golf is gimmicky”.

Yes, you read that right. Danny essentially said that playing golf, by the rules of golf, is a gimmick and should be eliminated.

Well Danny, before moving on to TWIG notes, I’ll leave you with a quote from Jack Nicklaus.
Jack said he loved to listen to fellow players complain about a golf course because he figured for every one who did, it was one less person he would have to worry about beating that week. “Somebody’s name is going on that trophy. The course isn’t supposed to fit your game, your supposed to suit your game to the course. It’s a massive advantage to have your head right before you go”

I’ll see you in 2 weeks on the back of the Pioneer for Battle Golf, my friend.

Was it as bad has everyone is making it out to be?

T.W.I.G. Notes
Due to a few no shows, we had 21 players this year.
1 NET score of 36 or better
0 GROSS scores of 40 or better
1 GROSS score in the 60’s
1 GROSS score in the 70’s

Sounds pretty bad… but how does it compare to earlier years?

2020
20 Players
4 NET scores of 36 or better
0 GROSS scores of 40 or better
4 GROSS score in the 60’s
0 GROSS score in the 70’s

2019
20 Players
4 NET scores of 36 or better
0 GROSS scores of 40 or better
1 GROSS score in the 60’s
1 GROSS score in the 70’s

2018
21 Players
3 NET scores of 36 or better
1 GROSS scores of 40 or better
2 GROSS score in the 60’s
3 GROSS score in the 70’s

2017
20 Players
1 NET scores of 36 or better
0 GROSS scores of 40 or better
3 GROSS score in the 60’s
0 GROSS score in the 70’s

201
24 Players
5 NET scores of 36 or better
1 GROSS scores of 40 or better
2 GROSS score in the 60’s
1 GROSS score in the 70’s

From the viewpoint of “NET scores under par… it was a tougher year.
From the viewpoint of “GROSS scores in the 60’s and 70’s… it wasn’t bad at all by comparison.

The stat the stands out to me though is that out of 189 holes of golf played Thursday not a single birdie was carded. I couldn’t find evidence of that ever happening before in the 26 years of the GCCGL. I didn’t look long – but I did look.

3 players not complaining… The Low Net Winners
A/B Group – Tie between Joel Miller and Joe Cook… both with a 37
C/D Group – Jim Allen with a 36

On a quick side note. I had never played with Jim before. In fact, I don’t know that I’d ever spoken to Jim for more than 2 minutes at a time. Besides my own frustrations with US Open night, I had a great time. Jim’s a good guy and hit’s the ball really well for a 17 handicap. The only thing Jim is lacking is a nickname. Nice playing golf with you, Jim.

The current standings are as follows:
Rollin 60’s: 312.0
Hoping to Tie: 304.0
Dustined to Fail: 295.0
Aces Ventura: 290.0
Good if Joe Shows: 287.5
Designated Drivers: 259.5

Points Leaders
Dahm: 65
Rayburn: 62
Morell: 59

Points per Match Leaders
Kreyling: 6.5
Roller: 6.1
Dahm: 5.9
Nill: 5.9
Morell: 5.9

Wins Leaders
Dahm: 9
Kreyling: 7
Morell: 7
Nill: 7
Rayburn: 7

Win Percentage Leaders:
Kreyling: 0.938
Dahm: 0.864
Nill: 0.778

Money Leaders:
Parvesse: $42.66
Freeman: $42.66
Goldie: $40.00
Roller: $40.00

MVP Race
With 5 weeks to go, the current contenders are Leininger, Kreyling, Nill, Morell and Rayburn.

Reason Kreyling could win: With the exception of the Money, Lip Gloss is in the top 3 of most statistical categories.
Reason Kreyling won’t win: His team is currently in 3rd because he’s missed too many weeks (and I believe he’s schedule to miss more).

Reason Leininger could win: With the exception of the $$$ category, Dahm is in the top 3 of other statistical categories (that matter).
Reason Leininger won’t win: His team is currently in 4th place and his liver may give out before season’s end.

Reason Nill could win: With the exception of the $$$, Cupcake is in the top 3 of most statistical categories.
Reason Nill won’t win: His team is currently in 3rd place and he NEVER comes out after golf.

Reason Morrell could win: With the exception of the $$$, Morell is in the top 3 of most statistical categories.
Reason Morell won’t win: His team is currently in 2nd place and he’s really only hoping to tie for MVP.

Reason Rayburn could win: Syndrome is currently 2nd in points and tied for 2nd in wins and he has led the Rollin’ 60’s back to the top (where they belong).
Reason Syndrome won’t win: He doesn’t make it back from Vegas?

Speaking of Vegas…
This is it. The Vegas 4 leave Wednesday out of CVG on a private jet with plans of winning the most coveted golf event known to man… The 2-Day, 4-Man, Best Ball Tournament at the America’s Golf Festival to be held at the Pauite Golf Resort 25 minutes north of Freemont Street.

And as I told the boys yesterday: “We may not win… but I ain’t flying out there just to compete either”

Rayburn is ready. Check out this shot from the “Shining Light” Golf Outing at Hickory Woods on Saturday.

Additionally, aside from Johnny sticking pins, the Big Donkey won the Long Drive.
Thanks for hosting us Pete!

Currently we have $60.00 from the GCCGL we’re putting down on 1 hand of roulette. Although Wesley Snipes suggests “you should always bet on black”… the GCCGL voted and decided to “bet on red instead”.

If you’re still interested in contributing to the GCCGL bet or want us to lay some down some your hard earned cash on any another bet, you can send me money through VENMO at @mikeharris41. I can also be reached by phone or text at 859.640.6637

Serkan keeps stepping up his golf fashion. He’s gotten to the point, that I think he needs a golf shirt with a pocket and matching hat.

This, Travis Matthew ensemble, from Paiute, would announce the Assasin’s arrival to the golf world in style.

Finally, I know Crowe has been struggling all year, but what in God’s name would possess him to seek out a hockey player (who just shot a 48) and ask for an impromptu golf lesson on the side of hill?

Desperate time call for desperate measures.
(shout out to Bedell for the pic)

Until next time…

Golf if hard… you know the rest. You found out this week.

Big Donkey