GOLF EXPO at Haggin Oaks

Dear Club Members:

I was able to attend the the 2011 Golf Expo at Haggin Oaks on Friday. One word "Awesome" ok two words "Amazing and Awesome". The staff at Mortin golf have really top themselves as they have organized the best event ever. You have to check out the Puma Tent, way to cool. Puma & Cobra make you feel like a VIP.

This event has tour vans on the back of the range to custom fit you for your next set of clubs. Also, just outside the shoe store, is a large selection of discounted clubs.

Highlights for today (Sat):

9:00 am - Get Your Masters Degree in Putting - Putter Design & Fitting 101 by Bob Bettinardi - one of the world’s leading putter designers.

10:00 am - PGA Tour & Champions Tour Star Peter Jacobsen- Master storyteller, player and teacher Peter Jacobsen holds court- sponsored by Cleveland Golf.

11:00 am - Thinking Like A Champion: 3 Mental Game Skills All Great Players Possess - Rick Sessinghaus- PGA Metro Section Teacher of the Year- sponsored Wilson Golf

Noon - Golf Tips by Comcast Bay Area & KNBR’s John Abendroth of Hooked on Golf

1:00 pm - PGA Tour & Champions Tour Star Peter Jacobsen - Master storyteller, player and teacher Peter Jacobsen holds court- sponsored by Cleveland Golf.

2:00 pm - PGA Tour Quality Putter Techniques from Pat O'Brien, putting coach of two of the PGA Tour's best putters Vaughn Taylor, Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson - sponsored by SeeMore Putters.

3:00 pm - Secrets of the ReMax Long Drive Champions - Sponsored by UST- Hosted by 12-year MLB veteran catcher Pat Dempsey- winner of the ReMax Long Drive Championship- Sr. Division. If you have never seen a long ball hitter, this is your chance.

4:00 pm - Fitting The Best Ball To Your Specific Game - Sponsored by Titleist - Hosted by Titleist Golf Ball Fitting Manager & former Haggin Oaks Golf Professional Mike Gibson.

The City Putting Championship is under waty on the main putting green. $5 offers you a chance to make it the finals on Sunday. I have to run, I am headed back out now.

See you there,

Mark Edgar
President

March 30, 2011 - Midweek - Bingo Bango Bongo

Once again, the Midweek group was forced to postpone a planned tournament one week due to some unseasonably wet weather. But disappointment turned to joy because one week later 12 golfers (including one guest) were blessed with clear skies, a light breeze and 76 degree temperature.

The Bingo-Bango-Bongo format seemed to be enjoyed by all since it gives every player a chance to win on every green. Haruo Makimoto and Bob Thomas both collected 18 BBB points and in stroke play, fine rounds were turned in by Roy Fukushima (net 65), Don Mar (66) and Marie Hart (67).

The course looked quite different on some holes due to standing water in places that are usually dry. #2 was shortened to 205 yards with the first 70 yards over water. The left side of #16 was a lake which widened near the green to completely submerge the bunker there turning it into a water hole. Otherwise, fairways and greens were in beautiful shape.

BBB Point Leaders:

1. Haruo Makimoko.........................18


2. Bob Thomas.................................18


3. Doug Swann……………………..…...17


4. Don Sperling …………….….……....14


5. Myron Dahl…………………………..14


6. Roy Fukushima……………………..14

Closest to pin:

• Bob Thomas, #12……………….…11’-7”


• Don Mar, #17………………………..6’10”

Weather:

Temperature: 76 degrees - clear skies

Wind: Light breeze

Course Conditions: Beautiful shape

March 12, 2011 - Weekend Group - Bingo Bango Bongo

Bingo Bango Bongo

The Weekend Group played Bingo Bango Bongo on Saturday under perfect conditions. This is the first time Bingo Bango Bongo has been played on the weekend, and to everyone's surprise, it was a great format. A player can have a bad drive, an OB, a water shot or a topped hit and it really does not matter as all the points happen around the green. Additionally, it does not matter if you have a high HC or a Low HC, this format puts everyone on the same playing field.

Commonly referred to as the as the "Wolf " by his pack. George Yanez out foxed his playing partners Wayne Urbani, Mark Edgar and guest Ed Fierro. George's 3 wood off the tee allowed him the first shot to the green. With the Wolf's sharp approach shots to the green, he dominated getting the points for being "first on the green". Guest Ed Fierro walked away twice with "first on" and "closest to the pin" on two Par 3's. Wayne Urbani finished his round strong by shooting even par on the last 5 holes allowing him to put 7 more points into his pocket. Just off the green on number 11, Mark Edgar chipped up hitting Ed's ball and Mark's ball ricocheted into the hole for two points ("closest to the pin" and "first in").

Why is Mike DePhilippis celebrating?

The answer is Bingo Bango Bongo. We all know what a superstar Bob Benefiel is on and off the golf course, and how he rarely loses his matches. Well Bob's Son-In-Law Mike DePhilippis beat him on Saturday playing BBB. Sources close to the Benefiel family report Bob did not sleep Saturday night as he was putting together a new strategy for next year. It should be noted Mike even beat Bob Olson who shot to his HC with a Net 71. Bob O. later reports, yeah the kid was just too much for us Bobs....

Dave Springer's (R) younger brother Brian Springer (L) was all smiles too, as he out pointed his older brother 17 points to 14. Although Dave outscored Brian, it was Brian's crafty strategy playing BBB that out-did his older brother. As Brian was leaving the clubhouse, he yelled back asking "Can we make this our standard tournament format". Playing in the group was Glen Kinion and Don Sperling. These two men were the only two golfers to break par, Don shot a blistering Net 65 and Glen shot a respectable Net 68.

Format: BINGO, BANGO, BONGO - three types of achievements are rewarded with a point for each:
* BINGO - The first player in a group to get his ball on the green gets a point.
* BANGO - The player in the group whose ball is closest to the pin once all balls are on the green gets a point. The closest-to-the-pin point is only earned once all balls are on the green.
* BONGO - The player in the group who is first to hole out gets a point.

Because of these factors (and because the first person putting will be the one farthest from the hole), strict etiquette must be enforced. The player who is away always plays first.

This will a format added to next years tournament list.

Closest to pin:
1. Mark Edgar, #17 - Blue Flag ....................12-6" (made the birdie)

Course conditions: Overall - fantastic shape!
- Fairways firm
- Greens fast and true

Weather conditions: Ideal

-Skies partially covered then sunny
-Temperature 65
-Wind slight from the south

Midweek Group -Mark Your Calendars for Bingo, Bango, Bongo on March 23rd

The next Midweek Tournament this year is planned for Wednesday, March 23 starting at 9:00 AM. The format will be a variation of Bingo/Bango/Bongo and again, you are encouraged to bring a guest if you desire.

In each foursome, a player can earn a point 3 ways: 1) for striking the first drive to land in the fairway (except for the 4 par-3’s); 2) for hitting the first ball to stick on the green and; 3) for being the first to hole out. That is a maximum of 50 points available to be earned in each group.

Prizes will be awarded based on each individual’s point total. Since there can be no “gimmes” and strict etiquette must be observed regarding the honor and order of play, ready golf is not possible so please keep the pace of play in mind, and above all, keep it fun.

Please call or email me for reservations and mail me a check for $10 per player at the address below. Email and phone info are also below. Hope to see you there.

Bob Thomas
8032 Linda Isle Ln.
Sacramento, CA 95831

phone: 916-376-7990
cell: 951-282-9818
email: bstj1967@yahoo.com

Feb. 23, 2011 - Midweek Group - 2 Person Best Ball

The Midweek Group kicked off the 2011 golfing season with a slight delay. After having to postpone our first Midweek tournament one week due to cold, rainy weather, 17 golfers, including 5 guests, were rewarded with a great day for our 2011 opener, a member/guest, 2 person, best ball match.

Kent Flewellyn and his guest, Jim DeVard came out on top with a net team score of 60, including a net eagle on the 14th hole! It turned out to be a competitive day with a back-9 tie-breaker necessary to decide 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishers.

The course was in great shape after our wet weather, with tee-shots landing in the fairways taking a long roll and the greens holding and putting true. The skies were clear most of the round with light, variable winds and temperature in the mid-fifties. My thanks to all who played after the postponement, especially those who brought a guest!

Net Team Score for the top 4 Teams:
1. Kent Flewellyn/Jim DeVard: 60
2. Roy Fukushima/Don Mar: 62
3. Bob Thomas/Ron McKenna: 62
4. Rich Ferrera/Steve Colwell: 63

Closest to pin:
1. Mike McKenna, #17 ....................3'1"

Course conditions: Overall - great shape!
- Fairways firm
- Greens fast and true

Weather conditions: Good

-Skies clear then partially covered
-Temperature 55

-Wind light and variable

KIDS PLAY FREE

WOW

If you have not already heard, Captial City Golf has a new 2011 promotion

"KIDS GOLF FREE".

This promotion is available at the following four courses:

Bartley Cavanaugh GC, Bing Maloney GC, Land Park GC

and both courses at Haggin Oaks.

Now is the time for Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Golf Coaches &

Mentors to take advantage of this very special offer.

If you have any questions, please contact your local course or Capital City Golf.

Feb. 12, 2011 - Weekend 2 Person Best Ball / NCGA Qualifier

It was an absolute beautiful day on the golf course for our 2011 kick-off tournament! I think some of us even got a little bit of a red nose! We had 20 golfers out there and it was some pretty stiff competition. The team of Bob Volk and Paul Hand won with a team net score of 56 and will be moving on to our NCGA Sectional Qualifier in Sacramento.

The teams of Bob Ruff / Shawn Breakey and Glen Kinion / Lonnie Podgorny were tied for second with net 61's. With the better back 9 score, the Ruff/Breakey team beat them out. It was nice to see some new faces out there…can’t wait until next time!

Results for the top 4 teams:
1. Bob Volk / Paul Hand net team score: 56
2. Bob Ruff / Shawn Breakey net team score: 61
3. Glen Kinion / Lonnie Podgorny net team score: 61
4. Mark Edgar / Bob Benefiel net team score: 63

Closest to the pin:
Hole #8: Bob Benefiel 35 ft. 6 in.
Hole #17: Tim Gudmann 8 ft. 8 in.

Course conditions: Overall - great shape!
- Fairways firm
- Greens fast and smooth

Weather conditions: Ideal
-Skies clear
-Temperature 68
-Wind calm