Frank's place - fourth edition

Frank's place

Life experiences of a newly retired family man.

fourth edition

6:46 PM, Friday, March 27, 2009 .. 0 Comments .. Permalink

This week (March 24th and 25th) was our annual four man golf tournament at the Links course in Hudson, and our banquet at Niko's Place in New Port Richey. We look forward to the tournament, it is a different format than our usual weekly league in that we have four man teams and play what is called a scramble. All four of us tee off and then we pick the ball that is positioned the best and all of us hit our ball from that spot and so on until we hole out. We then record our score as if it was one person. There is some strategy involved because each player must have his tee shot used at least four times. The teams are selected based on a point system with the player who averages the most points paired with with the player who averages the least points and so on till the teams are filled. The strategy is employed when determining whose tee shot is used based on the possibility that the short hitters may (but not always) do better with their tee shots on the shorter holes. We had ten teams in all and the winning team scored a 65 which is 7 under par. Our team had a 66 which was tied for second but a tie breaker using the score of the hardest hole or holes if still tied, left us in third place. Each team is rewarded with a cash prize based on their standing. Our weekly dues of $5 finances the weekly prizes as well as the tournament prizes and also our annual banquet. The players may bring a guest to the banquet for $10. We had approximately 65 people at Niko's Place, a fine Greek Restaurant who also donated 2 dinner gift certificates, one of which I was fortunate enough to win. Our leader puts our names into a hat and picks the first winner who then draws another name until every player in attendance wins a door prize ranging in variety from gift certificates to golf equipment. We had an appetizer bar, a salad bar, and our choice of steak (my choice), fish or chicken and a small dessert bar. Our league will continue to function through the end of May and informally through the summer. A lot of players (including me) start leaving for the north at the beginning of April through the end of May. I have gotten to know a variety of good folks from all over the country and some from overseas wintering here as well as year round residents. This winter was quite cool by Florida standards with some of our early morning Tuesday tee time temperatures starting out in the low forties but most of the time warming into at least the fifties before we finished. Our players wish to thank the Links golf course for their gracious treatment and for the way their course is maintained. It is a terrific layout with some great risk, reward holes and a good test of golf no matter what your skill level may be. I will be looking forward to joining my other golfing friends at Linville Land Harbor for a great summer of mountain golf that is a unique experience in itself. It is really a blessing to have two wonderful places to play the game that I love with great people both here and in North Carolina.....Keep smiling.