With the 2024 season winding down, are you feeling a case of the off-season blues coming on? If so, here are some 2024 BMC highlights that are sure to provide a lift.
Hole in One
Aces have been elusive among BMC members this year. Of course, occasional golf highlights escape the notice of The Virtual 19th Hole, and perhaps that’s occurred this year. In any case, the BMC has now officially recorded another hole-in-one. This one came, as they so often have over the last couple of seasons (mine at number 5 being a rare exception), on the seventh hole: Lucky Number 7.
Go back to September 12, when, during regular Thursday League play, long-time BMC member and former President Rick Windham arrived at Braemar’s seventh tee looking to pick up some momentum on a round that had been stuck in neutral. Playing the N tees as usual, Rick calculated that Lucky Number 7 that day measured 104 yards, with the hole being cut in the front right portion of the green. He selected his 9 iron and struck a solid shot directly toward the flagstick. However, because the hole was cut in the hollow area at the front of the green, Rick couldn’t see where his shot ended up. Still, when he arrived at the putting surface Rick didn’t hesitate to stride directly to the spot where he was certain he’d find his trusty Kirkland. And there it was: in the bottom of the cup.
Intriguingly, based on a surprising confluence of events, this ace raises something of a philosophical quandary—do you believe in coincidences? Or would say there’s no such thing—things happen for a reason? Ponder, if you will, these two seemingly unrelated factoids: first, this ace was Rick’s second and both came with a Kirkland; second, on both occasions Rick was playing with fellow BMC member Greg Baron. Could it have been the ball? Perhaps the playing partner? A tantalizing puzzle, especially if you don’t believe in coincidences….
MGA Senior Amateur Championship
The MGA’s Senior Amateur Championship was contested this year from September 9 through 11 at Edina Country Club. It goes without saying that choosing to play in this tournament is not for the faint of heart– simply qualifying requires besting some of the state’s best senior amateurs. But, for the six BMC members who qualified, overcoming that hurdle was just another day on the golf course. So, serious kudos for achieving that milestone go out to Jeff Roseland, Rick Passolt, Tim Smith, Mike Longman, Mark Paetznick and John Montague!
And not only did those six players qualify, two of them, Jeff (T-38) and Rick (T-41), successfully negotiated Edina’s super-slick putting surfaces and elevated greens to make the 36-hole cut.
Congrats to all six BMC members—most especially to Jeff and Rick!
Eagle Count
BMC members have apparently had so little difficulty making eagles this year, that these seemingly rare accomplishments have become nearly impossible to track. So, if you’ve made an eagle since last reported in June by The Virtual 19th Hole, congrats! And, if you’d like to get your name published here, send me a note!
Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590