2017 Playoffs - Final Round

After two straight years of rain shortened final rounds, we were treated to an absolutely perfect day for golf to complete the final 18 holes of playoffs and enjoy our wrap-up party.

In the "A" Flight it was a surprising, yet decisive victory for the Fat Shafts who went from third place and five shots back to finishing in first place by ten strokes. They were also the only team to finish below 400 total strokes overall. The Southpaws finished in second spot with the KGB three strokes back in third and the Dubbers rounded out the division finishing 23 strokes off the pace..

The Rolling Stones started the day with a 19 stroke cushion in the "B" Flight and held on for the win despite a charge by the Whizbangers who managed to pull within eight strokes for second place.

The Fivesome and CCCP struggled and fell further behind finishing in third and fourth respectively.

Over in the battle for "C" Flight it was close all day long but in the end the Hackers managed to hang on to their lead to take the victory and finished just three strokes ahead of the Wedgers. The Latecomers came in third spot while the Bogies were in fourth at the end of the day.

At this time I know all of you will join me giving thanks to some folks who made this day and our entire season a big success. Steve Powell is the driving force behind the running of the league and his endless efforts behind the scenes are greatly appreciated throughout the summer and culminating with a terrific finaly day. We also thank Tom and Alida St.Denis for providing us with a wonderful golf experience and excellent course conditions all season.

Thanks also to Debbie Stewart and Julia Bosma for assisting with the setup today and in tallying the final scores. And of course thanks once again to Steve Westlake and Kim Defosse for organizing and running our annual putting contests after our round again this year.

On a personal note, I want to thank everyone who approached me today and throughout the season to let me know how much they look forward to checking and reading the blog each week. It's nice to know the effort that I put into it is enjoyed by so many of you. I hope to continue the blog again next summer although I should mention that a change in the website and address may be coming before next season. Don't worry, I will post the details here if it happens so you can find the new site.

Don't forget that although the season has ended, everyone is invited to continue coming out on Wednesday nights as we switch to an informal best ball format for those not ready to put the clubs away just yet. If we don't see you out until the Spring, have a safe Winter and we'll see you in 2018.

2017 Playoff- Final Standings

"A" Flight
1. Fat Shafts - 95-102-96-97 = 390
2. Southpaws - 99-93-106-102 = 400
3. KGB - 95-99-103-106 = 403
4. Dubbers - 102-103-111-97 = 413

"B" Flight
1. Rolling Stones - 103-95-106-108 = 412
2. Whizbangers - 110-108-101-101 = 420
3. Fivesome - 114-103-116-112 = 445
4. CCCP - 108-112-117-116 = 453

"C" Flight
1. Hackers - 108-100-114-108 = 430
2. Wedgers - 107-105-108-113 = 433
3. Latecomers - 100-115-119-113 = 447
4. Bogies - 115-108-119-109 = 451

Click on photos to see them larger

Team Low Gross Tie

After seeing teams struggle to post low scores to start the season, tonight things improved a great deal with several posting totals in the 90's.

Jim Conley takes aim at hole #12.

In the process, two teams posted scores of 92 as both the Fat Shafts and KGB are tied for the team low gross.

It's also getting crowded in the race for individual low gross as Tim Donaldson shot even par 27 to move into a tie with Kyle Wilkinson and Rick Dean. Other low scores tonight included a 28 by Steve Westlake and 29's by both Jerry Powell and Denis Schick.

It was a night of sweeps in the matches as the Fivesome, Southpaws, KGB, Rolling Stones, Fat Shafts and Wedgers all took six points.

The Closest to the Pin winners were Jimmy Rodgers on hole #1 and Jim Turner on hole #10. Nick Defosse was the 50/50 winner this week.

St.Denis Hot Again

When you're hot, you're hot and for Tom St.Denis, he's on fire when it comes to the Closest to the Pin holes. For the third straight week Tom walked away with a share of the pot by landing his ball closest on hole #8. Scott Reilly was dialed in and earned the honour on hole #17.

If you forgot your bug spray you were extra busy during tonight's round swatting the pesky mosquitoes between or even during your shots.

For the first time in a long time there was a forfeit as the Rolling Stones were unable to field a team which resulted in the Fivesome being awarded all six points. Also taking six were the Dubbers, CCCP, Wedgers and Fat Shafts. The Southpaws earned five points while a single point went to the Hackers.

Paul Scobie shot the Low round of the evening with a 29. Tom St.Denis and Andy Koetstra each shot 30. No teams came close to challenging the Team Low Gross. Marty MacDonald  was the 50/50 winner this week.

Down The Stretch We Come

The summer is flying by as we will soon head into August. That means we'll be down to the last weeks of regular season play before the Playoffs begin again and time is running out to earn the points needed to secure your place in each flight.

While the top three teams appear to have a lock on their "A" Flight positions, the KGB, Dubbers and Hackers can still battle it out for the last spot.

Rob Campbell takes aim at hole #16.

The Whizbangers also have time to move from their current "C" Flight position into the "B" Flight with some points down the home stretch.

The top three teams all swept their matches tonight with the Southpaws, Fat Shafts and Rolling Stones taking six points each. The Dubbers moved into a tie for fifth with the Hackers by taking five points along with the Latecomers. The Bogies earned four points while the Hackers took two points. Single points went to the Whizbangers and Fivesome.

Nick Vangemeren had the low round of the night shooting even par 27. The low team scores were shot by the Southpaws and Fat Shafts with 93 each. Vangemeren also took the Closet to the Pin prize on hole #6 while Jerry Powell had a terrific shot on hole #15. Tim Donaldson was this weeks 50/50 winner.

Big Night For Wilkinson

Some nights things just seem to go your way and tonight that was the case for Kyle Wilkinson. Kyle set the new mark for Individual Low Gross by shooting a three under par score of 24.

Wilkinson wasn't quite done there as he also grabbed the closest to the pin prize for the third time in four weeks by putting his shot tight on hole #1. Oh, and he also won the 50/50 prize this week and led his team to a round total of 88 to tie them with the Fat Shafts for the Team Low Gross. 

This week also saw changes on the leaderboard as the Southpaws took full advantage of the double points night to take all 12 from the Fat Shafts and move back into first place. The Rolling Stones and Bogies also earned 12 points each. Elsewhere, the Dubbers and KGB took 10 points while the Latecomers grabbed eight. Taking four points were the Wedgers while the Fivesome and Hackers took a pair of points each.

Andy Koetstra picked up his second closest to the pin in three weeks putting his tee shot tight on hole #10. Next week will be the final round of double points.

Ideal Conditions to Golf

Scores aside perhaps, I don't think anyone could complain about the conditions for golf tonight.

Dave Reid misses a lengthy putt on hole 13.

Sure, there were some bugs but it was an ideal temperature and a beautiful sunny night.

The standings continue to be crowded in sections after play this evening. The Southpaws moved to within one point of the front running Fat Shafts while the Rolling Stones stumbled a bit allowing the Dubbers to move into third place.

Just like last week, three teams swept their matches as the KGB, Hackers and Southpaws took six points. The Fat Shafts and Dubbers came close taking five points each. The Whizbangers had four points while the Rolling Stones grabbed two. The Bogies and Fivesome took one point each.

Tim Donaldson came up one stroke shy of grabbing a share of the Individual Low Gross score by shooting 27 tonight. The Southpaws as a team shot a 93 which also left them short of equaling the mark of 91 held by the Whizbangers. The Closest to the Pin winners were Rick Dean on hole #7 and Kyle Wilkinson on hole #16. The 50/50 winner was Dave Powell.

Rough Night For Scoring

It's hard to say why the scores were so high tonight when it was such a perfect evening for golf but every team struggled to score well.

Dave Powell tees off on Hole #7.

I don't recall another night in my years in the league where no team scored under 100. The lowest team gross was turned in by the Southpaws with a 102.

As far as the nights match ups were concerned, only the Fat Shafts, Dubbers and Latecomers took all six points. The Rolling Stones took five points while the Hackers and Southpaws each grabbed four points.

Lyle Williams shows his form on the 2nd hole.

Earning two points were the Bogies and KGB while the Wedgers took a single point.

Not everyone struggled as the low score for the night was turned in by Kyle Wilkinson with a 28. The Closest to the Pin winners were Coady MacGillvary on hole #4 and Kyle Wilkinson on hole #13. The 50/50 winner was Peter Hughes.

2015 Playoffs - Final Eighteen (Nine)

Our luck finally ran out. After a season of amazing weather on Wednesday nights, our final round and party were met with rainy and cold conditions.

A pre-game beverage and chat.

Some of the long time members couldn't recall ever having a final day like the one we had today but at least we were still able to play some golf, enjoy another very tasty meal and share some good conversations one final time this season.

Here is a final look at how the playoffs wrapped up on this day. Our final 18 holes had to be shortened to a final nine holes thanks to mother nature.

In the "A" Division, the Southpaws claimed the title after posting a round of 87 for total of 270. That was good enough for a 19 stroke margin of victory over the second place Rolling Stones who shot 105 today and a total of 289 overall. The Fat Shafts turned in a round of 100 to finish four shots back of second with a 293 total. Finishing in fourth were the Dubbers who had a round of 107 and total of 305.

Over in the "B" Division the Wedgers easily held on to their lead to coast to the win. They shot 100 even for a three round total of 279. Moving up to second on the final day were the Whizbangers who shot 92 for a total of 291. Five shots behind them with a score of 296 were was the KGB who had a 103 today. The Fivesome were well back in fourth spot scoring a 119 round and a final total of 322.

The "C" Division was also won by a significant margin. The Bogies ran away with it by posting a 92 today and had a three round total of 288. This was good for a 17 stroke victory over the second place Hackers who shot 99 today and 305 overall. The third place team was the Latecomers shooting 101 in the rain and a 312 total which was two shots better than the CCCP who finished fourth with a total of 314 after turning in a round of 106 for their final round.

Despite the less than ideal conditions there were some good scores posted today. The low round was shared by Tim Donaldson, Andy Koetstra, Denis Schick and Paul Reid who all shot two over par 29. The most honest golfer of the day was Scott Reilly.

There were a total of 14 Closest to the Pin prizes up for grabs. The winners were:
Hole 1: Denis Schick
Hole 2: Steve Westlake
Hole 3: Denis Schick
Hole 4: Dave Walker
Hole 5: Terry Hore
Hole 6: Norm Toyne
Hole 7: Coady MacGillvary
Hole 8: Frank Cusson
Hole 9: Thom Christmann
Hole 10: Mark Kennedy
Hole 11: Paul Scobie
Hole 12: Nick Vangemeren
Hole 17: Tim Donaldson
Hole 18: Mark Kennedy

As always, a special thanks goes out to Steve Powell for all of his hard work, not only for this day but for the entire season.

Watching Jim's tee shot on 10.

Our thanks to Tom and Alida St. Denis for another fun year and excellent course conditions. Also thanks to Debbie Stewart for her assistance today as well. I would also like to pass along my thanks to those of you who took the time to visit the blog this season and especially those who allowed me to post photos and videos of them. If all goes well, I'll be back to do it again next season.

Don't forget, as long as we're able to, we will still be golfing on Wednesday evening and everyone is invited to come out and take part in the scrambles and fun. If we don't see you, have a great safe and happy off season and we look forward to seeing you again next Spring.

2015 Playoffs - Final Standings

"A" Division
1. Southpaws - 270
2. Rolling Stones - 289
3. Fat Shafts - 293
4. Dubbers - 305

"B" Division
1. Wedgers - 279
2. Whizbangers - 291
3. K.G.B. - 296
4. Fivesome - 322

"C" Division
1. Bogies - 288
2. Hackers - 305
3. Latecomers - 312
4. C.C.C.P. - 314

Mark putting for birdie on 10.

Okay, Now There's One Week Left

It has come to my attention that after tonight's round, we still have one week of regular season left. Last week I was given some wrong information from Andy Koetstra regarding this and that is what led to the confusion.

Andy asks for forgiveness.

Andy feels much shame for making this error and has promised me one beer as punishment and asked for forgiveness. So in fact, NOW we only have one more week remaining before the playoffs begin.

I'm short on time so I've updated the standings and you can do the math regarding potential playoff implications of the final week.

Tonight, there were three teams that swept their matches as the Bogies, Fivesome and Southpaws each grabbed six points. The Hackers, KGB and Fat Shafts all earned four points while the Latecomers, Rolling Stones and Wedgers took two points each.

The Closest to the Pin winners this week were Paul Reid on hole #9 and Mark Kennedy on hole #18. The 50/50 winner was Steve Powell. See you next week.

WARNING: The following videos are rated PG for strong language. Someone had a bad night on the course.

Stones Move Into First

The scores were a bit higher overall tonight however that didn't stop the Rolling Stones from taking advantage of their head to head match up against the Southpaws. The Stones moved into the first place all alone as they swept the match. This should be an interesting battle to watch all season.

The rest of the teams near the top of the standings continue to put up good scores and grab points making for a very tight leader board at this point in the season.

Dave Wharry tees off on Hole 12.

Just six points separate seventh spot from the second place spot.

In the matches for the evening, every group was all or nothing as the Dubbers, Fat Shafts, KGB, Rolling Stones, Wedgers, Bogies and Fivesome took six points. The low team gross for the evening was turned in by the Dubbers and KGB who each shot 94. Three players shot under 30 this week as Jerry Powell, Steve Guindon and Mark Lafee each posted a 29.

The Closest to the Pin winners this week were Mike Morey on hole #6 and Mark Kennedy on hole #15. The 50/50 winner was Dave Wharry.

Everyone's On The Board

What a difference a week makes.

The Southpaws who had yet to give up a single point this season finally cracked as the KGB were up to the challenge grabbing four points from the lefties.

Art Mansfield reacts to just missing his putt.

At the same time, the previously pointless Hackers changed that this week as well by turning in an impressive round.

Only three teams this week swept all the points in their matches as the Hackers, Fivesome and Fat Shafts earned six points each. The KGB, Rolling Stones and Whizbangers each earned four points while the Southpaws and Dubbers took two points each. The low team gross for the night was 92, shot by the Rolling Stones. Paul Dicrescenzo and Al Wilkinson turned in the lowest rounds of the night as they both shot one over par 28.

The Closest to the Pin winners this week were Jerry Powell on hole #5 and Andy Koetstra on hole #14. The 50/50 winner was Art Mansfield.

2014 Playoffs - Final 18 and Party

I don't think we could have asked for a much better day to wrap up yet another season of Men's League play and the playoffs. The rain moved away, the sun came out and the temperature was ideal for the final 18 holes of the year and the party that followed.

Congratulations to the winners in each division of the playoffs!

In the "A" Flight, the Rolling Stones cruised to a convincing margin of victory posting a 36 hole total of 350 which left them 21 strokes ahead of the second place KGB who shot 371. The Wedgers grabbed third spot with a 373 while the Southpaws finished fourth at 374.

The "B" Flight was slightly closer with the Whizbangers hanging on for a slim two stroke victory.

Mark Kennedy and Andy Koetstra pose for a selfie.

They shot 387 while the second place Dubbers shot 389. Well back in third were the Fat Shafts with 413 while the CCCP shot 417.

Over in the "C" Flight, the Bogies had a solid lead heading into the day and didn't falter. They shot a 36 hole total of 400 with the Latecomers grabbing second spot with a 418 total. The Fivesome took third with 437, just ahead of the Hackers who finished with a total of 439.

Congratulations to all of the Closest to the Pin winners during the playoffs. There were too many to mention here but you know who you are.

As always, a big thank you goes to Steve Powell for all of his hard work in running the league and especially for everything he does to make the final day and party a big success. Thanks also to Tom and Alida for another wonderful year. I think we can all agree that the course was in great shape today and all season long as well.

Dave Powell grabs a seat.

Also thanks to Debbie Stewart for helping to keep us all hydrated by running the refreshment cart and for helping to tally the final totals after the round.

It was another fun season and we look forward to getting together again in the Spring to start it all over again. Just a reminder for those of you interested, although the league is done for the season, we still golf on Wednesday nights as long as the weather and daylight holds up. We usually make up teams and play a best ball format for fun.

I've included some photos and video from the day below that you can view. You can click on the photos to see them larger if you like.

I've enjoyed updating the blog for those of you who know about it and appreciate seeing the weekly results and photos and if all goes well I'll continue it again next season. Have a safe and happy winter season! See you next year!