The SVCC course seemed to be in fine shape even tho its Greenskeeper was in the hospital for hornet stings a mere 15hrs earlier while preparing the course. A few new holes and different layout welcomed those who started to arrive at the clubhouse. Setting up to be a vintage day just like the wine brought by Casa del Bombardero proprietor Tony D’anna. A special Chilean Malbec with a Steeplechase label. Thanks Anthony!! The weather-not so great but that was not going to stop the 13 contestants from going after the prized Fawkirk Trophy.
The players-Bill Auld the Greenskeeper of course, the two past Steeplechase champions in Derek Schulz and Gary Simpson, SVCC members Rober’ Auld and Tony D’anna, the BCC contingent of Jeff Dreitlien, Pete “The Eagle (foreshadow alert) Johnson, and Mike Rosenberg, UDGA members Tommy and Adam Lapinski, #20 Bobby Calvano and the new guys-the rookies from Madison Alfredo D’addio and Zander Oldendorp. What a field!!
The players-Bill Auld the Greenskeeper of course, the two past Steeplechase champions in Derek Schulz and Gary Simpson, SVCC members Rober’ Auld and Tony D’anna, the BCC contingent of Jeff Dreitlien, Pete “The Eagle (foreshadow alert) Johnson, and Mike Rosenberg, UDGA members Tommy and Adam Lapinski, #20 Bobby Calvano and the new guys-the rookies from Madison Alfredo D’addio and Zander Oldendorp. What a field!!
Group 1 started with Defending Steeplechase champion Derek Schulz all but guaranteeing his place in the finals after the first round with an almost unheard of 13 points, leaving Rober’ to comment “He was rolling in birdie after birdie. He just gave us no chance”
History would say that Group 2 would surely be led by 2005 Steeplechase Champion and BCC Groundskeeper Gary Simpson. But wait, that blur that just past was none other than Mike Rosenberg. With 10 points Rosenberg let Simpson and Tommy know he wasn’t passing the puck on this day. Impressive!
Group 3 saw Tony D and the rookie Oldendorp battle it out each winning three holes outright and tying the other 3 to give them first round totals of 9pts. Bobby Calvano thought he had a beautiful birdie on hole 6 for 2 points but found out from the rules committee that in fact mulligans given for hitting the poolhouse are not actually allowed in tournament play.
Then Group 4 had what looked like another BCC member making a buzz. Dreitlein led after 4 holes with 4points. Another rookie D’addio got rooked with many shots bouncing in and out of the hoop. Then with Adam posting 5 points before it was over the Greenskeeper Bill new that to make the finals he had to put up some points of his own and finished strong to lead the group with 8pts.
After some food in the clubhouse provided by the SVCC staff-sausage and peppers, hoagies, chicken, tomatoes and mozerralla, and did somebody say blueberry pie (maybe later), the groups were ready for round 2. With a slight drizzle the next round started with a powerhouse threesome all needing points to make it to the finals-Tony, Rober’ and Gary. Tony proved triumphant leading the group with 8 to Rober’s 6. Would Simpson’s birdie on #9 and 5points be enough for the Groundskeeper? The next group saw Zander and, look at this, young Adam battling each other with 8pts. But by far the highlight of this threesome was Pete “the Eagle” Johnson’s hoop in one on the #1 handicap hole #7 “the Pheasant”. I guess he has the right nickname. Mike Rosenberg put himself into the finals by winning his group with 9 points and a two round total of 19. Madison rookie Alfredo saved some face and posted 5 points in the round. T
he final group of the preliminary rounds had Schulz and the Greenskeeper Bill, Bob and Tom. Certainly Schulz could not keep up the pace. Well actually he did, matching his first round 13 for a staggering total of 26pts. Bill went to the final three holes with 10 points all while knowing Adam had at least 13. Bill needed points and a chance on 7 for 1 of them rolled out back of the hoop by one revolution. One point on eight helped so birdie was needed on 9. Adam’s dad Tommy helped the youngster by tying Bill with par. Just like that it was over for the Greenskeeper.
So as the rain fell the finals were set. Ok let’s do the math- Defending Champ Schulz-well of course with 26points-has to be a record. Mike Rosenberg in second place with 19 points and TD with 17 had battled in some finals before so not entirely unexpected. But what’s this- the rookie Zander and the youngster Adam make the finals! Well played. Ok that’s 1,2,3,4,5. Where is Simpson? Where’s our host? Alas, the two course owners were left only to watch and caddy their respective membership on this final round.
History would say that Group 2 would surely be led by 2005 Steeplechase Champion and BCC Groundskeeper Gary Simpson. But wait, that blur that just past was none other than Mike Rosenberg. With 10 points Rosenberg let Simpson and Tommy know he wasn’t passing the puck on this day. Impressive!
Group 3 saw Tony D and the rookie Oldendorp battle it out each winning three holes outright and tying the other 3 to give them first round totals of 9pts. Bobby Calvano thought he had a beautiful birdie on hole 6 for 2 points but found out from the rules committee that in fact mulligans given for hitting the poolhouse are not actually allowed in tournament play.
Then Group 4 had what looked like another BCC member making a buzz. Dreitlein led after 4 holes with 4points. Another rookie D’addio got rooked with many shots bouncing in and out of the hoop. Then with Adam posting 5 points before it was over the Greenskeeper Bill new that to make the finals he had to put up some points of his own and finished strong to lead the group with 8pts.
After some food in the clubhouse provided by the SVCC staff-sausage and peppers, hoagies, chicken, tomatoes and mozerralla, and did somebody say blueberry pie (maybe later), the groups were ready for round 2. With a slight drizzle the next round started with a powerhouse threesome all needing points to make it to the finals-Tony, Rober’ and Gary. Tony proved triumphant leading the group with 8 to Rober’s 6. Would Simpson’s birdie on #9 and 5points be enough for the Groundskeeper? The next group saw Zander and, look at this, young Adam battling each other with 8pts. But by far the highlight of this threesome was Pete “the Eagle” Johnson’s hoop in one on the #1 handicap hole #7 “the Pheasant”. I guess he has the right nickname. Mike Rosenberg put himself into the finals by winning his group with 9 points and a two round total of 19. Madison rookie Alfredo saved some face and posted 5 points in the round. T
he final group of the preliminary rounds had Schulz and the Greenskeeper Bill, Bob and Tom. Certainly Schulz could not keep up the pace. Well actually he did, matching his first round 13 for a staggering total of 26pts. Bill went to the final three holes with 10 points all while knowing Adam had at least 13. Bill needed points and a chance on 7 for 1 of them rolled out back of the hoop by one revolution. One point on eight helped so birdie was needed on 9. Adam’s dad Tommy helped the youngster by tying Bill with par. Just like that it was over for the Greenskeeper.So as the rain fell the finals were set. Ok let’s do the math- Defending Champ Schulz-well of course with 26points-has to be a record. Mike Rosenberg in second place with 19 points and TD with 17 had battled in some finals before so not entirely unexpected. But what’s this- the rookie Zander and the youngster Adam make the finals! Well played. Ok that’s 1,2,3,4,5. Where is Simpson? Where’s our host? Alas, the two course owners were left only to watch and caddy their respective membership on this final round.
Early on in the round you could feel the friendly rivalry between the SVCC and the BCC. The gallery was more active than in the past tournaments. None of those who failed to qualify left the course. SVCC’s D’anna scores first with birdie on #1. BCC’s Rosenberg splits #2 with Zander with birdie. Rosenberg again birdie on #3 for 2points. Wow! Where’s Derek-here he is birdie on #5. Game on my friends!! Adam splits on #7 with Mike and Zander while Tony sends some chin music to the BCC gallery. Can you believe it all 5 combatants still have a chance with 2 holes remaining! Derek stays pace with Zander by parring # 8 setting up the drama on #9 “Bullfrog”.
Mike and Zander with 5 e
ach. Derek one back with 4. Tony needs outright win with his 3 points and now Adam can only play the spoiler.
Tee shots- Zander way off behind Champion’s bridge-uh oh.
Adam missed left.
Mike and Derek ok and hey much better than Zander.
Tony on the green below the hole-just how they teach it.
Zander’s 2nd gets close-uh oh! Mike and Adam not so good.
The table is set for Tony to tie things up. His birdie attempt looks good but goes long.
Derek in for par needs Zander to miss his par chip for his chance to defend.
But not today-The Rookie Zander Oldendorp hits the center of the hoop and finishes with 6 points the title of 2007 Steeplechase Champion and the right to have his name etched on the historic Fawkirk Trophy. Congratulations!!!
Mike and Zander with 5 e
ach. Derek one back with 4. Tony needs outright win with his 3 points and now Adam can only play the spoiler.Tee shots- Zander way off behind Champion’s bridge-uh oh.
Adam missed left.
Mike and Derek ok and hey much better than Zander.
Tony on the green below the hole-just how they teach it.
Zander’s 2nd gets close-uh oh! Mike and Adam not so good.
The table is set for Tony to tie things up. His birdie attempt looks good but goes long.
Derek in for par needs Zander to miss his par chip for his chance to defend.
But not today-The Rookie Zander Oldendorp hits the center of the hoop and finishes with 6 points the title of 2007 Steeplechase Champion and the right to have his name etched on the historic Fawkirk Trophy. Congratulations!!!
Many thanks to the golfers and spectators who attended the tournament and made it an “event”.
-the SVCC staff
Bill, Karen, Barbara and Penny.
-the SVCC staff
Bill, Karen, Barbara and Penny.
