Erv Stein
Our mid-summer and somewhat seasonally smaller group of 44 non snowbird enthusiastic and loyal PCM9GA golfers teed off at our Tuscany Lakes Course at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday morning, July 24. Most fortunately, our summer tee times from May to October start at 7:30 a.m. which means that our weekly nine hole events are completed by 10:00 a.m. which is long before the seasonal oven-like Arizona heat takes hold.
There is no possible way that anyone could be bored with the never ending array of Tournament format variations thanks to the vivid creativity of our pairing committee and this time, the Designated Driver Shamble Format was utilized to the delight of most of tournament participants.
Basically the Designated Driver Shamble Format varies from the standard Scramble format in that unlike the Scramble format, each foursome team member’s drive is used for each successive hole on an alternating basis. The foursomes were set up with an A, B, C and D team member based upon their prevailing AGA handicaps. In turn, holes 1, 5 and 9 would be designated for the A team member, 2 and 6 for the B team member, 3 and 7 for the C team member and 4 and 8 for the D team member. After the first designated drive, each team member used the designated drive ending ball location to finish their hole using their own ball. The lowest member score result of the four team members for each hole was utilized to comprise the nine hole results for each team.
Quite surprisingly, many of the team scores were incredibly low with the first and second place team tying with identical team scores of 25 and tie breaking rules were utilized to determine the first and second place winners. Kudos to the first place team with the first 25 score which consisted of Dave Gasch, Chuck Hendrickson, Jim Halbmaier and Willard Pearson. Likewise our hats off to the second place team, also coming in with their 25 score, which was comprised of Doug Wainwright, Tom Pizzello, George Bohl and John Murray. Third place honors went to the team of Mike Seip, Randy Prinz, Clay Troxell and Gary Draus which attained an excellent score of 26.
Closest to the Pin winners were Jim Martin and Dave Gasch.
The PCM9GA group, now close to 270 members strong, has a truly awesome membership role largely comprised of easy going and fun loving golfers and welcomes new members at all skill levels. From July 16 through October 16, the reduced membership rate of $35 for new members prevails. After October 16 the cost for new members will be $50 but will cover all dues for the remainder of 2014 as well as 2015. The standard full year membership renewal dues are $50 which includes fees for the AGA membership which is essential for handicap reporting. Please visit the PebbleCreek PCM9GA website at www.PCM9GA.com or you may contact our current PCM9GA Membership Chairman Bruce Hulbert at 623-535-8761.