Mike Adkins
The fairways of the Tuscany Falls East Course were ablaze with competitive spirit on June 18 as approximately 70 local nine-hole club golfers gathered for a highly anticipated, modified Ryder Cup tournament. Divided into two eager factions, the field split into the Red and White teams for a dramatic morning of match play.
Led by Captain Ray Clements, the Red Team squared off against the White Team, helmed by Captain John Craven. The tournament utilized a unique, shifting format across the nine holes, testing the adaptability and chemistry of each duo. Every foursome on the course featured a direct battle: two Red Team members going head-to-head against two White Team rivals.
The match structure kept players on their toes. The first three holes kicked off with the high-pressure alternate shot format. Holes four through six allowed teams to find their groove in a traditional scramble, before culminating on holes seven through nine with a tense best-ball showdown.
When the final putts dropped, the calculation of points revealed the narrowest of margins: the Red Team secured the championship by just a single point.
The victory proved highly lucrative for the champions. All members of the Red Team shared in a massive grand prize pool of over $1,000. Additionally, the top 10 individual two-man teams across both squads took home extra cash winnings for their stellar performances.
Despite the fierce rivalry on the grass, camaraderie won the day. Following the final hole, players from both teams migrated to the Oasis pool. Golfers cooled off, swapped stories of near-misses and great drives, and celebrated the summer event with hot dogs and refreshments, proving that community spirit is the real winner for the men’s nine–hole golf club.
The top five two-man team winners from both the red and white teams are:
Dale Knutson, Matt Jungels
Mike Branham, Bill Lansing
Chuck Busker, Mike Harrington
Terry Worwa, Richard Spampianto
Frank Chop, Jim Stahl