Refuge Recap

What a difference a week makes. Practically winter last weekend to a wonderful spring day yesterday. Thanks to everyone who trekked up north to Oak Grove and the Refuge Golf Club. And a special thanks to the 4 guests who joined us. We hope you had a good experience and will join us for future events. The course was in good shape and proved to be quite a challenge for most. 

Pace of play at this event must be addressed. Unfortunately 12 of the 15 pairings took more than 5 hours to complete their rounds and half went to 5 - 1/2. Only the first group played under the 4:30 allowed which means it wasn't the fault of the public in front of us. Yes there were a number of slow play penalties handed out but the biggest issue is most groups were right at maximum allowed time between groups when they finished. There are a number of reasons for this and I'll take responsibility for my part in selecting the tees we played at an early season event on a difficult course. Certainly some of the problem comes from the course requiring 8 minute tee times and 3 par 3s on the front side causing us to have multiple groups waiting on each tee. However we all have to be aware when that log jam breaks up and not let the group ahead get out of sight. Here are the things we should all practice to become faster players and not just when you fall behind. 

• Play ready golf - forget about honors and play when ready. Step in to tee your ball up as the previous player is bending down to pick up the tee. Play a provisional if there is any chance the ball may be lost or OB. 
• Keep your pre-shot routine short - plan your shot before you get to the ball. Get your yardage, select your club, put on your glove and take your practice swing all before it's your turn. Keep all of this to under 30 seconds.
• Be cart smart - don't sit in the cart while your cart partner is preparing to hit their shot. Get out, grab a couple of clubs and walk to your ball to begin your pre-shot routine or drive to your ball and then come back for your partner.
• Be helpful to others in your group - everybody in the group should follow the flight of every shot. Assist in searching unless it's your turn to play. Our local rule limits search time to 3 minutes. Rake a bunker or fill a divot for others to allow them to continue play without delay. Everyone in the group needs to make an effort to catch up after falling behind. 
• Prepare to putt while while others are putting - make a habit of continuous putting unless you'll be standing in someone elses line. 
• Your only concern is the group in front of you - if you aren't waiting on them you are behind. Don't pay any attention to the group behind you.

No one wants to play 5-1/2 hour rounds. We get a bad reputation with the golf course, members stop participating, prospective members don't join and I get cranky when I have to penalize a group for slow play and then listen to the weak excuses for why it wasn't your fault. It's everybody's responsibility! Thank you for your attention to this problem.

One player who didn't seem to have too much difficulty was Greg Lanctot of our Championship flight. Greg started with a birdie on the first hole adding 2 more to finish the front side at 2 under. The back nine took a bit of bite out of his round but his 75 was the low round of the day. Jason Rhoades also posted 3 birdies finishing runner-up with a 78.

Mike French got off to a great start with an even par front nine featuring 2 birdies leading to a final score of 82 for the win. Steve Schubert finished 2nd at 84. Max Morton, a guest, served notice to the rest of the Palmer flight by shooting an 81 and a promise to join the Tour this week.

In Sr. Palmer, Sidney Jackson makes his return from a wrist injury to lead 3 other players with an 83. His round featured 3 birdies. New member Cliff Anderson was runner-up at 89. 

Darren Kress made a decision recently to forestall his move into the Sr. division and continue to challenge himself against the young guys in Hogan flight. His 88 would have won either flight. His eagle on the 9th hole put some SKIN$ money in his wallet as well. Ben Grant and Anthony Hugelen tied 2nd at 92.

New member Jason Topp is happy Darren opted out of Sr. Hogan. Jason took home top prize after a one hole playoff against Steve Buan. Both finished at 94. Jason posted back to back birdies on 9 and 10.

It took one extra hole to break a 3 way tie for the Sarazen flight. Tim Palya made a birdie to wrestle the trophy from Fredy Alvear and Jon Sanz. The three were tied at 87. Tim's round featured three birdies in a four hole stretch to finish the front nine.

Sr. Sarazen flight was won by Steven Holland, his 2nd of the 2017 season. His front nine 41 gave him a one shot advantage over Chicago Tour member Jerome Olichwier. The two matched scores coming in. George Hardgrove took home the 3rd place prize after a scorecard playoff with Warren Ferber.

The Jones flight was a shootout between Jeff Loeffler and Paul Cink. Jeff shot 91 to take home the hardware. Jeff''s round featured a birdie on the par 5 fifth hole. WHERE'S HOBIE? 

Jeff McVay lapped the rest of the field in Sr. Snead for a 10 shot victory in his first event since becoming a Senior. New member Steve Oborn was runner-up. 

Closest to the pin prizes went to Mike French and Vicki Burns.

Jerome Olichwier took home an extra $205 from the 50/50 Raffle. Our total for the 2017 season has already reached $500. Thank you for supporting Feherty's Troops First Foundation.

Thanks to Mary, Deb and Val for their invaluable assistance that allows me to run these tournaments. Our next event is at Territory Golf Club in St. Cloud on June 4th. I hope to see you all there.

Bruce Addleman - Dir. MN
GOLF CHANNEL Am Tour
612-386-2956