Ken Whitney
The PebbleCreek Men’s Nine-Hole Golf Association (PCM9GA) held its “Welcome Back Snowbirds” tournament on Nov. 2. Nineteen four-man teams played a “Step Aside Scramble” on the front and back nines of the Eagle’s Nest course. In this format all team members hit a drive and putted, but otherwise the member with the best shot had to step aside, with the remaining three members playing from that best ball position.
The front-nine flight was won by the team of Ray Bender, Gregory Ray, William Wagner, and Anthony Staley. The back-nine flight ended in a two-way tie for first place. The Trevor Ballinger, Robert Risden, Bernie Bangert, and Chris Crowl team and the Scott Baird, Erv Stein, Eric Rohlman, and Ken Whitney foursome both finished with a net score of 33.
The annual Gary Lord Veterans Day Tournament was held on Nov. 9. The Tournament is named in honor of PCM9GA member Gary Lord, who passed away in 2022. Gary was a West Point graduate, Vietnam veteran, and career Army Officer. Gary served in many roles for the club.
Two flights of four-man teams were set up with A/B and C/D pairs, the A/B pair playing from the white tees and the C/D pair playing from the red tees at Eagle’s Nest. Scoring consisted of one low net from each pair. Twenty-nine teams took the field.
Top honors for the front-nine flight went to the foursome of John Mazzukelly, Sam Ellis, Chris Crowl, and David Wattenberg. The back-nine flight was won by the Bob Siebel, Eric Letzler, Doug Anderson, and Eric Malier team.
The Par 3 17th hole at Eagle’s Nest surrendered a hole-in-one to two Niners in late November. Ken Whitney scored an ace on Nov. 28, his first, and Lloyd Garner scored his on Nov. 30, his second (the first was Eagle’s Nest #12, about seven years ago). Since Lloyd’s was during a PCM9GA event, he was awarded the club’s $250 prize for an ace.
Congratulations to both!