Results - Las Vegas Vintage Golf Classic

Las Vegas Vintage Golf Classic

LVCC     11/18/20012

It was a beautiful day at Las Vegas Golf Club.  The temperature was near 70, however there was a strong breeze blowing that kept most of the contestants from “going low” on this classic golf course.

Championship Flight

 

The Championship flight was a tightly contested battle on the front 9 with 2 players tied at the turn.  Greg Hudson and Brooks Burnsed each shooting a 3 over 39.  Shaine Hersey was 1 shot back with 40, and bringing up the rear with a 5 over 41, was Robert Lively.  Surprisingly, none of these players were able to card a birdie on the front.  That all changed on the inward half.  Robert Lively decided to get back into the game playing the next 4 holes 2 under par, picking up 2 shots on Greg.  That’s the way it stayed with Greg carding a 37 on the back and Robert a 1 under 35 evening the scores at 76.  Shaine tried to stay in it but ended up at 78.  Brooks struggled on the back, ending the round with 81.  Greg and Robert headed to the first hole for a sudden death playoff,  Greg birdied the first hole to claim the victory.

Palmer Flight

Richard Southwick jumped out of the gate running, birdying the first two holes on his way to an even par 36.  Scott Godino was chasing with a 38, Rick Hite keeping them in sight with a 39.  Someone lit a fire under Rick Hite on the back.  Rick had birdies at 10, 13, and 15.  He left everyone in the dust carding a 35 on the back for the day’s best score of 74 for the round.  Richard Southwick struggled to a 41, giving him 77 and second place.  Michael Goffinet tried to get back in the hunt with a 38 on the back, but ended up tying for third with Scott Godino at 78.

Hogan Flight

The pace was set early by Bryan Wood, visiting Las Vegas from Leander, TX.  Bryan showed us how they play in the wind in Texas by shooting a 1 over 37 on the outward 9.  Charlene Delacruz kept him in sight with a nice 39 of her own.  It was pretty much a two horse race from there on.  Both players had problems with the tenth hole, Bryan making a double and Charlene with a dreaded snow man.  That hole made the difference with Bryan squeeking out a 2 shot victory over Charlene, 79 to 81.  Jason Becker shot 84 to claim third.

Senior Hogan

 

David Cooper made 7 straight pars on the front, unfortunately he started with a triple and a bogie giving him a 4 over 40, tying him with Scott Walker and Calvin Figley.  Mitchell Cohan, visiting from Seattle, WA, was next with 43.  Mitchell got hot on the back making up those 3 shots and then some with a 38 for a total of 81.  Cooper and Walker just couldn’t keep up with that and tied for second with 84’s.  Calvin was 1 back of that with 85.

Sarazen Flight

 

Derek Babcock led the charge in the Sarazen contest with a smooth 39 on the front.  He was followed by Rod Brewster, Jr who had 42 despite making 2 birdies, and Kevin Flynn also with a 42.  Brewster picked up the pace on the back with a 40 (oops, add a penalty for pace of play violation making that a 41) for 83.  Three other players were assessed a slow play penalty as well (Kevin Flynn, Derek Babcock, Erik Novikoff).  Kevin Flynn held onto second despite the penalty (84), but the penalty stroke dropped Derek Babcock into a four way tie for third (87) costing him any prize money due to Novikoff winning the card off tie breaker.

Senior Sarazen

 

With only three players in the Senior Sarazen contest, it was anybody’s game on the front.  John Johnson had the lead at the turn with 43, but by no means had a comfortable cushion with Luther (L.C.) Cobbs and Tim Coplen on his heels with 44’s.  Tim caught fire on the back birdying #10 on his way to a 41 and 85 total.  L.C. bogied #10, and that 2 shot swing was the difference as L.C. carded 87.  This was Tim’s second victory in a row at this event.  He will be going for the “threepeat” next year.

Jones Flight

 

The Jones contest was made up of mostly visitors to our Las Vegas Tour.  Three from Texas and one from the Bay Area (San Jose, CA).  Artis Stewart (Houston, TX) set the pace on the front with 46.  He was closely followed by his two fellow Texans Melissa Wood (Leander) and Thomas Rauch (Arlington), each with 47.  Artis played even better on the back carding a respectable 41.  The others just couldn’t keep pace, and Artis claimed the trophy with 87 and a 5 shot victory over Melissa.

Snead Flight

 

Wow!  You never know what could happen in this contest.  Scott Kassel came out of the blocks shooting 46 on the front, leading Alicia Champagne (48) by 2, Bill Drayer (50) by 4.  Then everything turned around.  Bill got hot and shot 45 on the back to Scott’s 49 giving them both 95.  Alicia had the most consistent round going 48 – 48 for 96, but unfortunately was just 1 shot out of the playoff that was won by Bill Drayer.

Las Vegas Vintage Golf Classic Correction!

My bad! We have Four defending Champions from 2012 season for the Las Vegas Vintage Golf Classic.

Along with Michael Goffinet defending for the Palmer Flight we have:

Caleb Brown from Cottonwood, Arizona defending in the Sarazen Flight

 

 

Tim Coplen from Lake Havasu City, Arizona defending in the Senior Sarazen Flight

 

and

 

Wayne Brown from San Jose, California defending for the Jones Flight

 

Again good luck, represent! I'll see you on Sunday ;)



Next Event: Las Vegas Vintage Golf Classic

Our next event is the Las Vegas Vintage Golf Classic on Sunday November 18th, held at one of the oldest courses in Las Vegas, thus the Vintage. It's going to be a slightly smaller turnout than I get when this event is in the early spring, but it's a great field and will be great competition.

We have only one defending Champion defending:

Michael Goffinet

Good Luck everyone, play well.

Congratulations to our 2012 Players of the Year

Overall Player of the Year

Matthew Gomez

Won 6 events - Promoted July from Jones to Sarazen - Promoted August from Sarazen to Hogan

 

 

Championship Flight

Player of the Year 2012

   Shaine Hersey

Order of Merit Points Winner - 2 Wins - Tied for 5th at the Western Classic Major

 

 

    Palmer Flight

Player of the Year 2012

    Dustin Sitar

Order of Merit Points Winner - 3 Wins - Tied for  4th at the Texas Masters @ Barton Creek Major

Tied for 5th at the Western Classic Major

 

 

   Senior Palmer Flight

Player of the Year 2012

    Richard Emery

Won 4 events - Finished 2nd 3 times - played in 13 local events 

 

 

 

    Hogan Flight

Player of the Year 2012

    Charlene Delacruz

Won 2 Events - Promoted from Sarazen to Hogan - Finished 2nd 3 times 

Tied for 2nd at the Western Classic Major

 

 

 Senior Hogan Flight

Player of the Year 2012

  Gary Bilonta

Order of Merit Point Winner - Won 4 Events - Finished 2nd Twice - Played 12 Events

 

 Sarazen Flight

Player of the Year 2012

    John Zurkuhlen

Order of Merit Point Winner - 1st at the Western Open Major - 1st at the Western Classic Major

Promotion from Sarazen to Hogan

 

Senior Sarazen Flight

Player of the Year 2012

 Luther Cobbs

Won 1 Event - Finished 2nd in 5 Events - Played in 11 Local Events

 

 

 

Jones Flight

Player of the Year 2012

Thomas Pahl

Order of Merit Point Winner - 2 Wins - Finished 2nd 3 times

 

 Senior Jones Flight

Player of the Year 2012

Stephen Sitar

Order of Merit Point Winner - 3 Wins - Finished 3rd at the Western Classic - Played 17 Events

 

 

Snead Flight

Player of the Year 2012

 Scott Kassel

Order of Merit Point Winner - 1 Win - Finished 2nd 8 Times

 

 

 

Senior Snead Flight

Player of the Year 2012

 Bill Drayer

Order of Merit Point Winner - Won 7 Times - Played in 16 Events

 

Las Vegas, NV-July 16, 2012 – Oh, can we say hallelujah for 3 somes! Our first 10 groups finished in 3:47, can you give a shout!!! Thank you Tour Players. The last 4 groups finished in 4 hours and that only because the one group finished 25 minutes behind the group in front of them.

It was basically no contest in the Championship flight with Greg Hudson making the turn at nice even par 36. Closest to him was Robert Lively & Paul Bartlett at 41. Greg continued to play well and finished with a 39 for a three over 75. Nice round Greg, welcome back and congratulations.

It was a contest between two in the Palmer flight, Michael Goffinet making the turn at 35 with one birdie, and Clifford Conover turning at 39. Michael & Clifford battled back and forth on the back, but Clifford was unable to make any head way. Michael finished with a 75 and a nice victory. Congratulations Michael on your 3rd victory on the AmTour! You now have a spot reserved for you in Sawgrass!

Chris Skowronek set the pace in the Hogan flight with a 39 followed by the recently promoted Dan Johnston at 40 with Mel Jeffers, Chris Barden & Jeff Wetz at 42. Right behind was Keir de Anda, Charlene Delacruz and Darren Tolleson at 43. There was a large fallout on the back which included: Keir, Charlene, Chris & Jeff. Dan started right out the back on the bogie train finishing with a 42 for an 82. Darren making a charge at #11 with a birdie, made a couple of bogies sealing his fate putting him in a tie with Dan at 82. Chris fired up out the backside going birdie, birdie on 10 & 11 only to fall off the road to victory into the great abyss ending up tied with Dan & Chris at 82. Mel hit his stride on the back taking only 2 bogies yielding him a nice 38 for an 80 and the victory, his 3rd. Congratulations Mel and good luck at Sawgrass!

In the Senior Hogan flight John Oliphant (visiting from Temecula, CA) set the pace with 39 followed by Michael Bridges & Scott Walker both at 41. Michael found the bogie train on the back sending him packing. John was attacked by the double bogie monster giving him a painful 45 for an 84. Mean while Scott was playing steady coming into #18 three over. The next 8 shots were a blurr. When he woke up, he found himself back on the first tee in a playoff with John. The playoff went to the 2nd hole were Scott took the victory. Congrats Scott, one more and you are in at Sawgrass. Psst, Scott says he hates #18.

In the Sarazen flight L C Cobbs set the pace with 42 followed by Rod Brewster, Jr at a distant 47. Then came the great flipflop with L C scrambling to make 48 and barefoot Rod delighted with 42 giving him the victory by 1 shot. Congrats Rod on your first victory of the season.

Leader in the clubhouse Peter Quinn, in the Jones flight, was sitting pretty with a nice 84, anxiously awaiting Matthew Gomez who held his fate in his hands. Matthew came in with an 83 leaving Peter to be a brides maid once again. However, Peter take solace in that Matthew is soon being promoted to the Sarazen flight. Congratulations to both Matthew & Peter on your fine play, it was a great shootout!

Bill Drayer leading wire to wire continued his dominating play in the Snead flight claiming his 6th victory. Congratulations Bill, we expect you to represent in Sawgrass.

Top Finishers and Payouts

For full field results please visit http://thegolfchannel.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/thegolfchannel12/event/thegolfchannel12378/contest/10/leaderboard.htm

 

 

 

Championship at Canyon Gate 7/16/2012

  It was a great day for golf in Las Vegas.  The temperature was beautiful (although the humidity was high), and there was no wind. It is a nice golf course, and I really enjoyed driving around, taking pictures, and watching the golf. A major thunder storm came through the area the night before dropping quarter (that’s the coin) size hail stones and a bunch of rain.  This left the course a little soggy.  Quite a few players told me they were hitting some “fat” shots because of it.  Don Risner said he was throwing up handfuls of mud on every shot for the first couple holes.  The greens were soft though, letting the players “shoot darts” into the greens.  I saw Chris Skowronek throw one in at # 9.  It hit the green and backed up about 3 feet.  Chris was definitely taking advantage of the conditions.  He ended his skins drought of the last few months by picking up 3 flight skins and 3 giant skins, although Mel Jeffers won the flight.   Only 2 players broke 80:  Greg Hudson (Championship Flight) and Michael Goffinet (Palmer Flight), both shooting nice rounds of 75 and winning their prospective flights. The pace of play was fantastic!  The first group of Scott Walker, Gary Bilonta, and Michael Bridges made the turn about 30 minutes ahead of schedule with all the following groups keeping pace with them.  When a golf course allows us to put the players out in threesomes, good things happen.  We saw the same results at Paiute last month.  Unfortunately, most of the courses insist on foursomes, which slow up play.  They don’t get the concept that when our groups play faster, the course actually gets more tee times after us.  All in all, it was a great event.  Everything ran very smooth.  I love it when a plan comes together.

Mike

John Zurkulen headed to TPC Sawgrass

We had 4 Tour Players from Las Vegas compete in the Western Masters in Scottsdale, Arizona. They played the tough Troon North courses, Pinnacle and Monument.

John Zurkulen took home the trophy and 1st place in the Sarazen flight. Nice rounds John 84 - 84 -168. You are now qualified for the 2012 Nationals at TPC Sawgrass, congratulations!

George Yocum finished tied for 4th and Michael Labrum finished tied for 8th in the Senior Sarazen.

Shaine Hersey finished 6th in the Championship flight.

Way to represent Vegas, whoot, whoot!!!

Recap Snow Mountain Shootout

Las Vegas, NV-June 16, 2012 – It’s so nice to play in threesomes with a sprinkling of twosomes. Thank you contestants for playing quickly, your average was 4 hrs and 15 minutes and not 1 group finished outside of its time, AWESOME and well done!!!

In the Championship flight Shaine Hersey & Ron Quick (visiting from Murrieta, California) made the turn tied at 38 with Robert Lively right behind at 39. All 3 continued to battle on the back side with each taking at least one birdie. It wasRon who rose to the top with a nice even par 36 for a 2 over 74 finish and his first victory for 2012. Nice game Ron and congratulations on your victory!

In the Palmer flight Dustin Sitar & Michael Goffinet found themselves tied at 39 on the turn. They continued to battle on the back with Dustin looking like he was going to take the victory, only to fade on the last 2 holes putting him in a tie with Michael. A playoff went forth with Dustin grabbing the win at the second playoff hole with a par. It was the second win in a row for Dustin having come off the injury list. Congratulations Dustin, nice win.

Richard Emery in the Senior Palmer flight set the pace with a nice 39 on the front with Larry Johnson & Jeff Calegory both 2 shots back at 41. Richard continued to play steady as Jeff struggled finding his game and Larry having one bad hole couldn’t capitalize giving Richard his 4^thwin for the season, congrats Richard!

It was a tight race on the front in the Hogan flight with newcomer Houman Nayeb firing a nice 38, followed by Charlene Delacruz & Mel Jeffers at 39. Houman faltered on the backside and fell off while Charlene & Mel battled back and forth. Mel settled one shot ahead of Charlene in the end giving him his 1^stvictory on the AmTour. Congratulations Mel, welcome to the winners circle.

Scott Walker starting out slow, made a nice eagle on #6 settling his game putting him in a tie for the lead at the turn with Gary Bilonta at 40, followed by Michael Bridges at 42. Scott lost his game on the back and fell off. Gary & Michael battled back and forth with Gary ending up taking the win by 2 strokes. This was Gary’s 3^rdwin for the 2012 season and earned him and a spot in Senior National Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Congratulations Gary, have fun rubbing shoulders with the pros.

For the Sarazen flight George Yocum took the lead at the turn with a nice 39. He was followed closely by Dan Johnston at 40 and Thomas Kobayashi at 41.Thomas & George both playing respectfully on the back, but were no match for Dan who caught on fire carding a double 7 on #11 and eight 4’s for a nice 39 giving him a sweet victory. Congratulations for your first win on the AmTour! Nice back side.

L C Cobbs set the pace with 40 on the front in the Senior Sarazen flight. He was followed by Robert Woods & Tim Coplen both at 42. Tim birdied #10 and didn’t look back burying his competition as their games faltered. This was Tim’s fifth victory of the 2012 season, wow great golfing and congratulations Tim! I also want to give you a shout out for your great improvement for this season!

It was a battle all the way in the Jones flight with Carl Eaton, visiting from Porter Texas, taking the lead at the turn with a nice 41. Right behind him was Harry Sims & Peter Quinn both with 42. Harry made a move at #10 with a birdie and it looked like he was going to take it until he hit a disastrous quad at 17 losing 5 shots to Peter, who birdied, and 4 shots to Carl. Peter’s birdie put him ahead of Carl & Harry and secured him the victory. Congratulations Peter on your first win on the AmTour, way to go!!!

Setting the pace in the Snead flight was new comer Kody Conover, son of Clifford Conover 3 time National Senior Palmer Champion, making the turn at 43. Kody was followed by Scott Kassel at 46 and Don Risner at 47. The 3 battled on the backside and even though Kody faltered on the back his cushion on the front was enough to give him the victory by 2 shots over both Scott & Don. Congratulations Kody on your first victory on the AmTour!!!

For full field results please visit http://thegolfchannel.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/thegolfchannel12/event/thegolfchannel12221/contest/10/leaderboard.htm

 

 

 

Congratulations to Jeff Calegory!

Congratulations to Jeff Calegory for recent promotion from Senior Hogan to Senior Palmer flight.

A new twist to "my dog ate my homework"!!!

Russ Berkman from Seattle win's 4 coveted Master's Tournament tickets in a lottery. I'm sure a life time dream. The tickets go missing and somehow he discovers his dog ate them!!!

What would you do? Make your dog vomit of course! That's exactly what he did, by some prompting of his girlfriend. How disgusting, the visual is more than I can bare. He did recover the tickets and managed to salvage about 70% of them from the slimy mess.

He actually took pictures of them and pleaded with the Augusta National Golf Club, "my dog ate my Masters tickets"! I'm pleased to say Augusta National reprinted the ticket and had them waiting for him at the course.

That warms my heart that the Tournament Committee would help fulfill this man's dream. I wish I was a fly on the wall when this decision was made, lol.

Congratulations to Todd Jensen!

Congratulations Todd Jensen for several reasons.

1. Your recent promotion from Hogan flight to Palmer flight! 
2. Winning your first event as a Palmer Tour Player at the Painted Desert Championship, way to go!
3. Taking the win in the Painted Desert Championship through a playoff, defeating your friend and fellow competitor, Kenny Petersen.

Kenny on the left - Todd claiming the victory on the right

The competition is tough on the Las Vegas Tour.

Princple Rule Changes for the USGA 2012-2015

Princple Rule Changes for the USGA 2012-2015

Definitions:

Addressing the Ball

The Definition is amended so that a player has addressed the ball simply by

grounding his club immediately in front of or behind the ball, regardless of whether

or not he has taken his stance. Therefore, the Rules generally no longer provide

for a player addressing the ball in a hazard. (See also related change to Rule 18-2b)

Rules:

Rule 1-2. Exerting Influence on Movement of Ball or Altering

Physical Conditions

The Rule is amended to establish more clearly that, if a player intentionally takes an action to influence the movement of a ball or to alter physical conditions affecting the playing of a hole in a way that is not permitted by the Rules, Rule 1-2 applies only when the action is not already covered in another Rule. For example, a player improving the lie of his ball is in breach of Rule 13-2 and therefore that Rule would apply, whereas a player intentionally improving the lie of a fellow-competitor’s ball is not a situation covered by Rule 13-2 and, therefore, is governed by Rule 1-2.

Rule 6-3a. Time of Starting

Rule 6-3a is amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but within five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Previously this penalty reduction could be introduced as a condition of competition.

Rule 12-1. Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball

Rule 12-1 is reformatted for clarity. In addition, it is amended to (i) permit a player to search for his ball anywhere on the course when it may be covered by sand and to clarify that there is no penalty if the ball is moved in these circumstances, and (ii) apply a penalty of one stroke under Rule 18-2a if a player moves his ball in a hazard when searching for it when it is believed to be covered by loose impediments.

Rule 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions

Exception 2 to Rule 13-4 is amended to permit a player to smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time, including before playing from that hazard, provided it is for the sole purpose of caring for the course and Rule 13-2 is not breached.

Rule 18-2b. Ball Moving After Address

A new Exception is added that exonerates the player from penalty if his ball moves after it has been addressed when it is known or virtually certain that he did not cause the ball to move. For example, if it is a gust of wind that moves the ball after it has been addressed, there is no penalty and the ball is played from its new position.

Rule 19-1. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped; By Outside Agency

The note is expanded to prescribe the various outcomes when a ball in motion has been deliberately deflected or stopped by an outside agency.

Rule 20-7c. Playing from Wrong Place; Stroke Play

Note 3 is amended so that if a player is to be penalized for playing from a wrong place, in most cases the penalty will be limited to two strokes, even if another Rule has been breached prior to his making the stroke.

Appendix IV:

A new Appendix is added to prescribe general regulations for the design

of devices and other equipment, such as tees, gloves and distance

measuring devices.

Congratulations to Charlene Delacruz!

Charlene Delacruz has been promoted from the Sarrazen flight to the Hogan flight. Awesome! She is now qualified for the 2012 Nationals. Way to go!