Friday, October 2, 2015

The Golf Club of California GC,   Fallbrook, CA

Today marks the awaited day for our "Quarter Final" matches.   The top 8 players have been identified from our last outing and the competition to determine our 2015 Seacoast Cup Champion continues with 4 tightly knit match ups.   Winners will go on to the "Semi Finals" which will be at Cross Creek GC on  Friday, October 16, 2015.  Still the rest of the field is competing for the "Player's Cup". Here are today's match ups in the Championship Seacoast Cup.

Match 1   Deveau vs. Chan  - features one of our past champions, Curtis Chan (2006, 2008) who is hungry to get a chance to hold up the Seacoast Championship Cup trophy.  He is matched up against one of our hottest players on the Seacoast tour this season, Paul Deveau,  who has taken over the top spot in our season points leader board.  His monthly index continues to steadily drop as he plays great golf.   Paul truly deserves a chance to advance in the playoffs.     There have been reports that Curtis has been visiting a local GolfTec center to reorganize his golf swing.  Both players know how to manage their games to shoot low scores.  But it will come down to who can keep their composure and not make the critical mistakes.   Putting will most likely be a determining factor as scoring a birdie will only help towards a win.  This match will be tight and it may come down to the last hole.

Match 2   Clinite vs. Andrew - this match features two hard working players.   Each has their own unique way of practicing and managing their golf game.   But both are determined to get to the next level towards the Seacoast Cup Championship Finals.   Peter Andrew  joined a semi-private golf club last season to work harder on his game and has continued to lower his handicap.   Ted Clinite decided to play more competitive golf and joined the local "Golf Channel" tour and has made great strides in his personal competitive mindset in approaching the game.  Ted doesn't make many multiple golf mistakes and if he stays with his normal game plan, he will be tough to beat.   Peter on the other hand, has the distinct advantage with having +9 stokes during this match.  If Peter plays composed, putts well, and prevents the  "double bogey train"  from appearing during his round, he will have a chance to take out a seasoned player.

Match 3   Hopson vs. Fitzgerald - this match features two seasoned experienced golfers.   Jim Hopson maximizes his strenghts and gets the most out of his game.  When you see his ball fly off the driver, you'd think that he was a young 30 year old striking the ball.  Dr. Lee Fitzgerald has consistently improved his game over the years and has positioned himself to make a run at the Seacoast Cup once again.  He once held up the trophy and placed it on his own mantle in 2011.  It's been a few years, and as most past champions, there is an urge and desire to take ownership of the trophy again.  Both players must keep their ball in play today as penalty strokes await the score card for balls that don't stay in play.  Jim will get 3 strokes during this round from Lee, but those strokes must be used wisely and not wasted.  Whoever avoids the double bogey the most, will most like win the match.

Match 4  Alexander vs. Barrett -  this match features a younger, single digit handicap player (Ryan Alexander) against a mid-aged, hard working, trying to lower his index golfer (Kevin Barrett).   One of our longest hitting players on our Seacoast Tour, Ryan Alexander will contend today against the hard working Kevin Barrett.   Over the past 2 years, Kevin has rehabilitated his back to the point where he can now improve his golf swing.  Earlier this year, Kevin made a change in his driver, and was convinced by a fellow player (Ted Clinite)  to buy his sligtly used "TaylorMade SLDR" Driver.  This move has paid off, as Kevin's drives are longer, straighter and have the shape of a pro tour player.   Kevin's confidence in his game in recent months has escalated to new levels.   Ryan on the other hand has smoothly earned his points into the playoffs with his posting of lower gross and net rounds than most of the field, and also warding off recent opponents in the earlier matches of "match play."   Today, he'll have his hands full as Kevin is on a roll with his golf game.   Reports regarding Ryan's inability to have any practice sessions on the range due to a new baby (#3) in his household, may play into today's game.   Insider reports have confirmed that Ryan has been getting only 4-5 hours/night  of sleep these past 2 months as he's doing his best in helping out his wife along with his other other kids (all less than the age of 5).  Golf has become a means to get some rest in his busy hectic home life.

Congratulations to our low gross winners: 

Flight A - Ted Clinite (79)

Flight B-  Paul Deveau  (84) 

Flight C - Geoff Baynes  (97)

Our low net winners are:  Paul Deveau  who posted a low net 68.

All other players in the field, were matched up in "Match Play" competition to fight for a win to earn 300 points to their season points totals.  Players who are not in the Championship Cup, are competing in the "Player's Cup" division and are playing for top points to become the Player's Cup Winner.

Below are the results:

Seacoast Christian Golf Club - Point System for 2015 -  Points awarded for Low Gross / Net  Placing

Post Match Interviews / Match Notes:

Match 1 - Deveau def. Chan  1 Up -  Both players appeared exhausted after having a head to head battle.   The intenseness of this match went all the way to the last putt.  Unfortunately for Chan, he 3 putted the last hole, leaving his last putt virtually "dangling" over the hole.   One player in the foursome reported that 1/3 of Curtis' ball was hanging over the hole, but after 30 seconds of hoping that it would drop,  Chan took off his hat and congratulated his tough opponent.  Paul Deveau couldn't hardly believe what had just happened as he was mentally getting ready to go back to the drop area for a sudden death playoff hole to break the potential ALL SQUARE tie match.  In the post game interview room, Paul explained, " It was a total battle all day.  Curtis was down 2 with 4 holes to go..and somehow he dug deep and took all the momentum back into his game.   He struggled on #14 and took a penalty when he pulled his second shot on the Par 5 into the lateral hazard.  He still had a chance by taking a drop and sticking his shot to the green to have a chance to save bogey, but the pressure must have gotten to him and he couldn't execute the shot.  By the end of the hole I realized I had a 2 up lead and going into the final 4 holes with a 2 up lead... its a great thing to have in match play.  But Curtis played the next hole on #15 flawlessly and sunk a short birdie putt to cut my lead to 1 UP.  Then I failed to make par on the next hole while Curtis easily tapped in for his par.  All of a sudden I realized my 2 UP lead was all gone.  I really was rattled.  But I somehow kept my composure.  Both of us struggled on #17, but Curtis made a 15 footer to save bogey while I had to make a 2 footer to halve the hole.  It all came down to the 18th hole."  Curtis was sipping an ice tea drink in the clubhouse when he offered his perspective on the match, "I knew I would have my hands full today,  knowing that Paul has been playing some of the best golf of his life.   He really played well today.  He never gave up and every hole he played his best.  There were a few holes I didn't play well..and that really cost me the match today... but he sank some great putts, especially a birdie on #7, which could have easily been a 3 putt bogey from where he was positioned.  I'm sad I didn't sink the putt at the end to take it to the playoff, but that's golf, and I'm happy for Paul as he was deserving to win for the great effort and level of play he executed today...as Arnold would say...I'll be back !"

Match 2 - Clinite def. Andrew  8 and 7 - This match was controlled by the lower handicap player, Ted Clinite.   Peter had a difficult time getting his game in gear from the start, and Ted took advantage of every opportunity that came his way.    It took 8 holes before Peter found some form of his normal swing to make a par, but by then he found himself 6 down on Ted.    By the turn, Ted already put his game on cruise control and it was an early end to the match play round.  In the interview room Ted explained,  "Peter just didn't have his normal stuff today.  He has been working hard on his game and I know he had been pretty sharp in his shots and especially putting in his early playoff matches.   Today, he seemed a bit tight, and it just wasn't his day.  I truly feel for him as I know he has a much better game that what he showed today."    Peter Andrew was found getting in his car after his tough round today and was kind enough to offer his view on his match..."It was tough today...this course can truly eat you up if you don't keep your ball in play.  I struggled from the start.  I had a game plan to insure I made my alotted stokes count..but it was still not enough.  I kept getting myself in trouble and just couldn't play myself out of it.  Ted played his normal sharp game and I really had to be playing par and limited bogey golf to have a chance at taking him down today.  I just couldn't keep up with him today.  He's a good golfer and I needed to have my best to compete...I just didn't have it today."

Match 3 - Fitzgerald def. Hopson  4 and 3 - This match up has alot of playoff experience between the two players.   Both know how to play under pressure and it was a battle of who could keep composed throughout the entire round.   After 8 holes, both players were playing well and exchanging great shots to win or halve holes.  But on #9, Jim opened the door  when he tripled bogeyed  and allowed  Lee to take a 1 up lead going into the turn.  Lee took advantage of the momentum he got and calmly scored pars on the following 2 holes to then increase his lead to 3 up.   This really put the screws on Jim's game, and it was too tough for Jim to recover and overcome this deficit.  By hole 15, Lee was able to close out the match.   Lee explained "Jim is a tough competitor...we were pretty much all tied up going into the turn, but then I really concentrated and was able play some great golf.  It seemed that all my shots went my way for several holes in a row.   I know how easily match play can turn on you and I mentally told myself to keep playing one shot at a time.  Before I knew it, Jim was shaking my hand to congratulate me...He's such a fine tender hearted guy.   I really admire his sportsmanship."...  After eating his lunch, Jim recounted his round and said "I really didn't have it today.  I started out pretty good and it seemed that my game was coming around, but then on hole #9, I lost it and the momentum went in Lee's favor.  I tried pressing and did all I could to get my shots to go, but the more I pressed, the harder it was for me to make something happen.  Double and Triple bogeys in match play never help and today I truly proved that.  I really didn't bring my "A" game today."

Match 4 - Barrett def. Alexander  2 and 1 - A very hard fought match that could have gone either way.   Ryan had a few mistakes that cost him dearly as Kevin kept his game sharp today.   Being the higher handicap player, Kevin took advantage of his alotted strokes and kept his "blow" up holes to a minimum.  Ryan early on in the match kept his game intact and kept a 1 up lead most of the front nine.  After getting a 2 up lead, Ryan found himself battling a golfer on a mission.   On holes 11-16, Kevin took his game to another level and played 6 almost perfect holes to whittle down Ryan's lead and turned the match to his favor with a Barrett 2 up lead.   By hole 17, Ryan realized he had to execute his shots, but he came up short when his approach shot on #17 came up short and he could only salvage a double bogey.  This was tough as Kevin scraped out a triple bogey but with his stroke he was able to close out the match.  Ryan had to win the hole to have a chance at getting the match to All Square.  In the post game interview room Ryan said, "Kevin truly played a nice round of match play.   He kept his ball in play most of the round.   The few big mistakes he made were holes I also struggle on and I never capitalized on the openings he offered me.   My drives on a few holes were questionable as I ended up in several hazards, but I did have my chances.  I just didn't get the job done today.  This course always gets my number...I really need to reconsider how to manage and play this course."   Kevin had a big smile on his face as he explained ."I'm in shock that I was able to come out on top today.  Ryan is a long hitter off the tee...I had to put my blinders on and told myself to just play my game.  Ryan's game is usually intact and sharp.  He gave me a few openings and I truly took advantage of them.  Even though I made some mistake in my round,  I found myself mitigating the damage and somehow was able to play steady.  I especially was proud of my play on the back nine when I played six consecutive  holes only 2 over par.  That really got me to my win today.." 

Next Event : Friday,  October 16, 2015   Place:  Cross Creek  GC   7:30a start

 Quest for the 2015 Seacoast Cup- This year will be been full of fun times on the golf course.  We have added a new dimension to our club’s monthly event play by having Match Play events beginning September 2015.  Twenty players will earn their way to this year’s match play event.  Points are earned by finishing well in both individual low gross and low net score postings.  Also points are earned in different team and individual events ranging from match play, 4 man team best ball, and 2 man best ball events.  Net Skins are also another category that allows players to add points to their monthly points.  

Also this year we have added additional "Major" events which will have increased value in scoring for that particular event.  These events will take place in April and July 2015.

Remember only those players who have an Official SCGA or USGA golf index qualify for low net play and compete in Seacoast Christian Golf Club Points System.   Players who participate in our events who do not have an official golf index / handicap, will be assigned a "Flight" depending on their level of play.  These players also may be assigned a course handicap and may participate and qualify for team net play points .  For information on how to obtain an official golf index contact Curtis Chan and visit : Membership and SCGA

 Seacoast Cup Playoff Season - (September - November).  If you have been playing in this golf group for over 5 years then you know that after August, our playoff season begins.  Match Play format is instituted for our rounds, in addition to our low gross/low net play.  With the added element of "match play," players get to stir up their competitive juices and bring out their game faces to bring out the best golf they've ever played.   Many players have shown their "A" game, while others find how difficult it is to play golf when everything is on the line.

This year, the Golf Tournament Committee has reviewed the last few seasons and have instituted a few new elements to our "Playoff Season."  If a player has sufficient points to be in the "Top 20" then he will qualify to participate in the Seacoast Cup - "Champions" bracket, which will determine our club champion.  Below is the playoff calendar of events.   Note that events will take place every 2 weeks until November.

1. No more "Bye" weeks for our top 4 players.   All players will continue to earn points in our playoff season.  The "Top 20" and "Wild Card" rounds will take the top 20 and top 16 players (total points) respectively.  This will allow players to possibly lose a match, but still continue in the playoffs if they have the points to sustain their level to be part of the top 16.  Only when we get to the Quarter Finals will there be eliminations for losing a match.

2. Players will continue to reply back to event invite emails to obtain their spots for the event.   If a "Top 20" player desires not to participate in an upcoming event, then the next seeded player (#19) will then be given the opportunity to play in the "Champions" bracket.

3. "Match Play" points will have an increased value per playoff event.   The deeper one goes into the playoffs, the more value for a match play win.  For the "Top 20" and "Wild Card" events,  players who's match ends in a TIE will split the earned points.  Tie matches in subsequent events will have a "tie-breaker" sudden death playoff...see below.

4. "Player's Cup Bracket" - for those who don't qualify or have fallen out of the "Championship Cup" bracket, your points total will transfer into the "Player's Bracket."   In the Player's Bracket, players will be matched up with other players in the same bracket to have match play competition.  Points will also be earned for Wins and Ties.   Value for Player's Bracket wins are 250 points.  All Players who fall short of making it to the Semi-Final Championship bracket qualify for the "Player's Bracket."  There will be no TIE breakers for tie matches in the Player's Bracket.  Points will be split between the two players.

5. Leader board -  We have now in the heart of our Playoff Season.  The Semi Finalist have been identified.  Our   leader board winner continues to be Paul Deveau along with 3 other players who will be fighting for the 2015 Seacoast Championship Cup.   Congratulations to Paul Deveau, Ted Clinite, Kevin Barrett, and Lee Fitzgerald on playing strong and making it to the Final Four - Semi Finals.   The rest of the field, will continue to compete but now there is a rush to rack up as many points as possible with the season drawing to an end.  The points values within the "Player's Cup" division will continue to escalate so as long as you come out to play, you too may end up with a winning trophy.  The top leader in the "Player's Division" is now our #5 seeded player - Bill Abrell...Way to go !!! With the close standings of players #6-15,  and with the amount of points that are still up for grabs, any one of these players has a chance at becoming the "Player's Cup" winner.  So come on out, play well and see how you pair up with your Seacoast Christian GC buddies.

October 16, 2015

"Championship Semi- Finals" -   Match Play   (750 points for Win)

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