SVCC/ BCC Duel in Tightly Played Interclub

The drama and pageantry that is the Interclub Championships was as evident as was the teal blue sky dotted with white cotton clouds that provided the backdrop to the day’s event. Yes the SVCC and the BCC met again to engage in friendly battle for the second year in a row in a quest for the coveted Quantus Certanimus.


The tournament, some have called the “Backyard Brawl”, is more of a celebration of what the world of backyard golf has become. “To be able to compete with the founders and the club that started it all is an opportunity most athletes will never experience. Imagine playing a game of hoops with James Naismith. That’s what it’s like when we compete with the BCC” said SVCC captain, Bill Auld. The backyard golf tour did in fact start in 1995 in the hills of the Bernardsville C.C. when the Groundskeeper, Gary Simpson, offered a chance to win the now retired “Troy” Trophy. And with the emergence of the SVCC in 2003 the tour schedule expanded to include as many as 7 sanctioned events including the 4 majors.

But in recent years the personification of what backyard golf has become is the Interclub Championships. The brainchild of the Groundskeeper and the Captain, the Interclub is the opportunity to play for the team as opposed to seeking personal glory. It has proven to be the example of sportsmanship and comeraderie to the world of sport. And with each club exchanging with the other the very turf they play on with the hopes that it will literally grow a tangible connection, the Interclub has also been the opportunity to display the rich ceremony of backyard golf.

The arrival of the contestants indicated the games were about to begin. The SVCC, holders of the Quantus Certanimus, were to be represented by capt Bill Auld, Rober’ Auld, Tony “TD” D’anna and Derek Schulz. The BCC rostered was comprised of Gary the “Groundskeeper” Simpson, Mike Rosenberg, Jeff Dreitlein and Pete “the Eagle” Johnson. And the drama started even before the first shot was hit. The BCC Groundskeeper took his time to counter the lineup presented by the SVCC. “I had a definite strategy. I wanted to stay close and strike in the singles matches” said the Groundskeeper.















After the selection process was over the cow bell signified the start of play. The Best Ball round was first and the BCC countered the SVCC pair of Rober’ and Derek with Gary and Jeff. The second group saw SVCC team of Bill and Tony squaring off against Mike and Pete. And the BCC started quick, winning 2 of the first three holes. Derek and Rober’ fought them off halving the next five but fell 2 and 1. The first two points of the day went to the BCC.

Bill and Tony sought to even the score for the SVCC. Birdie on #1 put them 1up. #2 looked like a lock for the SVCC when Bill scored an apparent hoop in one. But it was not to be –just outside upon further review and Pete managed to get his own birdie to halve the whole. Solid play by the SVCC team in the remainder of the round allowed them to indeed get the win and bring the score even at 2 heading into Round 2 Alternate shot pairs matches.

Building on their momentum, Bill and Derek paired up for the SVCC and were able to knock off Jeff and Pete of the BCC. Derek’s hoop-in-one, the second of his career in tournament play, on #5 made it hard for the BCC to get back into the match and they subsequently lost 3 and 2.


That left Gary and Mike needing the victory to give the BCC the tie the groundskeeper needed if his plan was to take effect. And they did not disappoint their membership, managing to pull off a gutsy 2 and 1 victory. The match was even after five holes. A par on #6 put BCC up 1 and both squads bogied the difficult #7. Tee shots on #8 favored the BCC but Tony put his team in contention with a nice approach just a few feet short of the hoop. The BCC was in with three as Rober’ lined up his shot. And as backyard golf has proven, no shot is a gimme. A tuft of grass held up the shot giving the BCC their 2 points and the tie going into the Singles round. SVCC captain consoled a distraught Rober’ by saying “Even though you didn’t come up with the win, you took on Simpson in both rounds. That was big for us-we are even and have a chance at this thing.”

On to the singles matches!! “The singles round proved to be the most difficult” the Groundskeeper would say regarding setting up his matches. He eventually countered Derek with Pete in the first match, pitted Mike and Rober’ in the second, took on Bill himself in the third and left Jeff to fend off Tony in the final match.














Derek was able to defeat Pete “the Eagle” 5 and 3 with a steady dose of pars after an opening birdie. With SVCC now up 2 points it was on to Mike and Rober’ in match 2. And Rober’ again hit a buzz saw losing 4 and 3 as Mike birdied four of the six holes played. A well played match by Rosenberg-one many will not soon forget. But would it be enough?














With the tournament again tied, this time at 6 points a piece. Simpson’s plan was working. Even if Jeff were to lose to the SVCC’s low handicapper Tony, all Gary would have to do is beat SVCC captain Bill to extend the tournament to a Captain's select overtime match.

Tony and Jeff grinded out their singles match with nary a birdie between them. Jeff managed bogie on #4 and it was enough to bring the match in range-down one with 5 to play. Tony knew what the match meant to the SVCC and was able to shut the door quicker than Jeff had opened it winning #5 & #6 while pushing #7 for the 3 and 2 win.














Although the outcome of Tony/Jeff was not final until #7 Gary had to play as if Jeff may fall to his more experienced competitor. This meant the Gary/ Bill match would turn out to be an important one in a very tight competition. When Bill blew a chance to halve #1 with a poor chip, Gary had the 1up lead. Bill would later say, “I knew at that moment I had to play to win and not just keep up with the Groundskeeper. I have not yet beat him head to head in my backyard. Now was the time.” Bill delivered with a birdie to tie the match on #2 and another on #3 to go 1up. Pars by both on #4 and 5 followed and when Gary stepped up to #6 he was ready to even the match. But in what can only be described as uncharacteristic for the Groundskeeper, his tee shot on # 6 nearly hit the “Coop” in front of him and nestled behind a blue spruce with no shot to the green. Bill’s tee shot on the other hand was a mere 5 feet away from the hoop which he birdied to go 2up with three to go.

#7, the most difficult hole on the course if your nickname is not “the Eagle,” was next. Bill’s tee shot was not great but ok-off the green to the left. Gary struck his shot and its trajectory was vintage Groundskeeper, heading right toward the pin. But Derek, playing the role of spotter, alerted the competitors that he in fact over shot the hole. “Damn!” uttered the disappointed G. 2nd shots-Bill close 1-1/2 yards right of the hole. G-forced to take a drop looking for the miracle par. Backswing-contact-follow through and . . . .it’s got a chance. But no the ball ends up below the hoop with a tap in for 4. As described earlier, in the midst of all this Jeff is hanging on in his match with Tony. He needs to win #7 to stay in it but Tony gets his three and concedes Jeff’s three for the match win.

All the SVCC needs now is for Bill to halve the whole, dormie the match, and as a result guarantee the 1 point needed for the SVCC victory. And with a clear, crisp swing he hoops it, going 2 up with 2 to play. Realizing the Quantus Certanimus is now guaranteed, The SVCC captain concedes the final 2 holes to his rival captain the in a show of sportsmanship in keeping with the Interclub history.


And so it came to an end. The SVCC had retained the trophy but both clubs looked forward to the return to the clubhouse. There we could find out what the event was really about. The SVCC and the BCC hanging out, eating dinner and conversing with the clubhouse staff of Karen and Barbara who had done so much to make this tournament an event. There were stories to be told of the days competition, there were pictures to be taken to mark the occasion, and even songs to be sung as the golfers performed a resounding rendition of Happy Birthday to Barbara on this her birthday.

Ah yes, the drama and pageantry that is the Interclub championships.

THE SAGA CONTINUES

SVCC Captain Retains BCC Cup-Wins April Fools Open

SVCC Captain-"Billy Jo" as he is known at the BCC, defended his 07' Tick Open Championship by narrowly winning the BCC '08 April Fools Open on Saturday.

"Billy Jo" would like to personally thank the BCC and its membership for another first class tournament.


The BCC-truly a gem in the world of lawn golf.

for a complete writeup of the day's event please go to
http://bcc-groundskeeeper.blogspot.com/

2007 Player of the Year Awarded to Trophy's Namesake

The player of the year "Hotz" Trophy was awarded to none other than its nameshake Irma Hotz for the 2007 season. There were so many memorable moments in the 2007 season-Championships by Zander and Gary in the Steeplechase and Invitational respectively, Pete"the Eagle's" hoop in one, Rosenberg's remarkable "blue spruce" birdie, the attack of the Hornets, and the SVCC's Interclub victory to name a few. But when you look at the criteria for awarding the trophy the winner became clear to the selection committee.

The criteria for the award is to note that person or persons who provided the most memorable moment or moments of the 2007 SVCC season. The award can be given out for the most accomplished player of the season but can also be awarded for a specific moment, a specific shot or other remarkable happening that advanced the name and prestige of the Steeple View Country Club.

It is within the last line of that criteria that we find our winner ". . . or other remarkable happening that advanced the name and pretsige of the Steeple View Country Club." Ms. Hotz graciously allowed the expansion of the grounds of the SVCC with use of her corral. In so doing the course was beautified, the layout was strengthened and spirit of the SVCC was enriched with her genorousity.

So lets all cheer the winner of the 2007 Hotz Trophy, our good neighbor, Ms. Irma Hotz!!!

2007 Player of the Year Voting Open

2008 has arrived but there still is some business to take care of for the 2007 season. The Hotz Trophy still has to be given out to the SVCC 2007 Player of the Year.

The criteria for the award is to note that person or persons who provided the most memorable moment or moments of the 2007 SVCC season. The award can be given out for the most accomplished player of the season but can also be awarded for a specific moment, a specific shot or other remarkable happening that advanced the name and prestige of the Steeple View Country Club.

Nominations are now being accepted.

Happy Holidays from the Staff at SVCC

EMPLOYING "TURTLE GOLF" SIMPSON QUIETLY DEFENDS HIS INVITATIONAL TITLE

Gary Simpson silenced the doubters who speculated he would go winless in 2007 by winning Sunday’s 2007 SVCC Invitational. After coming up empty earlier this year at the Interclub Championship, the Steeplechase, and the Tick open, the Groundskeeper found victory and the Fawkirk Trophy waiting for him on Champion’s Bridge at the SVCC.














The day was beautiful for mid November and the 10 person field was filled with past champions. Defending Invitational champ Simpson, current Fawkirk Trophy holder Zander Oldendorp, BCC Cup holder Bill Auld, 06 Steeplechase champ Derek Schulz, and past Tick Open champ Mike Rosenberg were all there.

Rober’ Auld returned from the European circuit to make his claim along with “Superstar” John Zimnoch, Pete “the Eagle” Johnson, and newcomer Jimmy Lawson. Tony D’anna, fresh off a senior tour event at Pebble Beach arrived late but was quickly on the course to make his mark. TD’s tardiness was all but forgotten when he introduced his dad Gerry who acted as his caddy and also provided words of encouragement to all those who competed this day. Thanks Gerry!































As the groups entered the stroke play round BCC Groundskeeper Simpson noted, “The pressure level is really elevated with the stroke play format. Every shot matters to everyone and we are not used to that in these tourneys.” And the fireworks started quickly on the first hole as the field feared that another “Madison Rookie” might prove troublesome. Jim Lawson refusing to take relief from the fence proceeded to sink a 40’ birdie chip to go 1 under. Not many other birdies were had in the first foursome that included Zander, Rober’, Mike and Jim. Zander would post the low score of the group with 1 birdie and 2 bogies for a 1 over 28.

The second group of Bill, Derek, G, JZ, and Pete where able to put up better scores than their group 1 counterparts. Bill led the group matching the course record with a 1 under 26 and Simpson finished right behind with even par 27. Derek posted a respectable 29.














So with the stroke play first round over the players convened at the Clubhouse anxious to see where they were to be seeded in the match play round. They were greeted with all the comfort foods of home when the SVCC staff of Karen and Barbara provided all with soups, sandwiches and hot mulled cider to help take the chill out of the crisp November air.

Ok-I’m full -back to Championship golf-what are the matches?

1 Bill Auld v 10 Jim Lawson
2 Gary Simpson v 9 Pete “The Eagle” Johnson
3 Zander Oldendorp v 8 Mike Rosenberg
4 Derek Schulz v 7 John Zimnoch
5 Rober’ Auld v 6 Tony D’anna

Match one was over early as the Coach beat the Captain when Bill dispatched Jimmy 5 and 4. At least they had time to revisit the clubhouse fare and grab belt at the bar.

The drama would begin in earnest in match 2. Defending Invt. champ Gary Simpson faced fellow BCC member Pete “the Eagle” Johnson. Simpson was heavily favored, but as they say “that’s why you play the games”. And after Johnson posted back to back birdies on #5 & #6 he found himself even with Simpson with 3 to play. Having aced #7 before in tournament play, “the Eagle” muttered to himself “I can win this thing-can I win this thing?” “But as quickly as Johnson rose, he fell and Simpson quietly closed him out winning #7 and #8 with pars. After the match Johnson lamented “I was this close!”














The match of the day was next when Mike Rosenberg saw an opportunity to enact some revenge by taking on Zander, with whom he was tied going into the last hole of the 07 Steeplechase. Rosenberg lost the championship on that day and many have felt that he has not been the same golfer since. The duo traded shots the entire round and Zander’s “miracle par” from the wooded rough on #4 was promptly dubbed “the shot of the tournament” and literally knocked Rosenberg to the ground as the hole was halved. How could Rosenberg compete with shots like that?

Well #7 would provide the canvas for Mike to answer that question himself. A dreadful tee shot left Rosenberg in the middle, and I mean the middle, of a blue spruce and questioning his ability to hold onto his 1up lead. The other contestants were seen shaking their heads. “Just take a drop, Mike. Please-you have no chance” said one. “He has no backswing-what’s he thinking” said another. The words of “this is a big mistake” were still floating in the air when Rosenberg ignited the crowd with a birdie chip that eclipsed any seen on this course before.














That put Mike 2 up with 2 to play and as they walked to #8 Zander stated “I don’t think 9 holes will be enough today.” He was right! With wins on #8 and #9 extra holes were needed to decide this epic match. Going back to #9 proved to be the second chance Mike needed and he advanced to the finals on the first extra hole. A match for the ages!

That left the 4/7 match of Derek and JZ and the 5/6 match of Rober’ and Tony to fill out the field for the finals. Both matches were characterized by big leads and comebacks as Derek went down 3 to JZ but managed to win 5 holes in a row to beat the stunned underdog.














Old friends TD and Rober’ fought courageously and birdies were need to win the first three holes. But when Rober’ bogied #5 Tony was 2 up and in position to punch his ticket to the finals. But Rober’ didn’t bring his prized fedora to go home that quick and forged ahead with wins and #6 and #7 to bring the match all square going into #8. Ultimately TD bounced back and closed out the match winning #8 with par halving the ninth to win 1 up.














So with the sun setting and the temperature dropping, the finalists of Bill, Gary, Mike, Derek and Tony set out to see whose name would be the next to be etched on the Fawkirk. When the entire group got a point on #1, the gallery knew they were going to be watching a battle. Impressively 3 were able to birdie #2 and Bill, Gary and Derek went 1 up on Mike and TD. Continuing on many holes were halved and Rosenberg had the only outright win on #6. Bill went scoreless on holes 5-8 while TD and Mike couldn’t muster much more and all had faded out of contention.



















As the field approached #9 it suddenly became apparent that an old familiar face was again in position to take another title. Quietly, an adjective never before used to describe him, “the Groundskeeper” stood poised to reclaim his place in the winners circle. Derek down 1 was the only one now who could catch Big G. But without a notable highlight on the day, barely beating the 9 seed in match play, Simpson halved his eighth hole of the day at #9 and won the 2007 Invitational Championship at the SVCC!!

“Slow and steady-Turtle Golf” was my mantra today” said Simpson after the win, “Slow and steady.” And when all was said and done Simpson had defended his Invitational title, got his name on the Fawkirk trophy for the 4th time and with uncharacteristic calm silenced his critics who said the pack had caught up with him.

And as Steeplechase champion Zander Oldendorp presented Simpson the Fawkirk Trophy on Champion’s Bridge and he put on the Plaid Jacket, the rest of the tour golfers were asking a question they had hoped they might never need to ask again.

“How we gonna stop Simpson?”