BMC golfing highlights mark each season—although some more than others. Take the banner year of 2023, when:
- Two BMC members, Taylor Smith and Drew Cripps, made double eagles at Braemar (each on number 4);
- John Miller and Bill Angel made back-to-back aces on consecutive shots, playing the 12th hole at Bunker Hills’ West Course; and
- Mike Wangen and Cutter Tyllia both qualified to play in the MGA Players Championship and Mike made the semi-finals in the MGA Mid-Players Championship.
But then every year BMC members shoot their age, make holes-in-one and inspire awe in their wives and children.
So, what about 2025? Based on the three golfers highlighted below, 2025 is fast becoming the year of the Stellar Super Seniors (senior status, of course, being conferred at 55, super senior status at 70).
Consider:
Bill Angel
Bill, who just turned 75 this month, has already shot his age three times this year. Talk about a Stellar Super Senior! So, less than two months into the official 2025 season, Bill has shot 74 at Braemar (from the D tees), on May 27; shot 72 at Francis Gross (from the combination tees), on June 10; and shot 72 at Braemar (from the D tees), on June 24. All three rounds were instrumental in victories logged by our 4 Man Over-70 traveling team. And, by the way, Bill, at 75, also plays on one of Braemar’s 8 Man Over-55 teams. His game is a perfect example of what’s possible when you drive the ball well, hit great irons and make putts.
Mike Kavanaugh
Mike turned 70 last year to the delight of the rest of our 4 Man Over-70 Team. But annihilating opponents in their 70s apparently didn’t quench Mike’s competitive thirst, so he also plays on each of our 8 Man Over-55 traveling teams, giving up 10-15 years on those “junior seniors.” A consistent contributor on each of those teams, Mike, with a USGA index of 5.1, still plays Braemar’s E tees comfortably, posting a solid 74 from there on May 28. However, he’s been particularly integral to the success of our 4 Man team. On June 10, at Gross, Mike shot 76 from the combination tees in a Braemar victory and on June 24, at Braemar, Mike shot 74 from the D tees to help bring home a win against Fox Hollow.
John Miller
Another member of Braemar’s 4 Man Over-70 Team, as well as of one of Braemar’s 8 Man Over-55 teams, John, at 76, made two remarkable contributions to Braemar’s 4 Man victory on June 24. He shot his age, with a sparkling 76 from Braemar’s D tees, and he punctuated his round with a hole-in-one on number 17. As a testament to John’s persistence, consider that, in two recent rounds, he had makeable putts on the 18th hole to shoot his age. But after missing a 6-footer on June 17 and a 4-footer on June 19, he had to settle each time for a 77. As the old saying goes, John was due.
Congrats to each of these impressive athletes! At least for these guys, 70 is the new 50 at the BMC.
Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590