As last reported by The Virtual 19th Hole, BMC members had been lighting it up in September. And now two more examples have come to light, courtesy of third-year member Doug Pernula and second-year member Brian Walker.
Doug’s back-to-back eagles
On September 5, during regular Thursday League play, Doug Pernula, who holds a current USGA handicap of 6.2, arrived at the eighth tee, his seventeenth hole of the day after starting on the back nine. He had a solid round going at six over but had no clue he was about to complete his round in record fashion.
Playing his usual D tees, Doug hit a good drive down the fairway, leaving only a 5-iron to the green. But, by his standards, Doug’s approach shot left a little to be desired. It sailed right and settled in the thick rough on the far side of the cart path. Short-sided from 30 yards, with the pin on the right, he was still in good shape but would need an excellent up-and-down to make birdie. Somehow the ball came out of that lie perfectly and rolled right into the cup. Suddenly, with just one hole to play, Doug was only 4 over—but who would have imagined that a 74 was in the cards?
On nine, after another blistered drive in the fairway (what fairway bunker?), Doug was left with only 80 yards to the hole. Selecting his lob wedge, he expected to get close. But when the ball landed just right of the flagstick and spun left, it got a little closer than Doug anticipated— right into the bottom of the cup. Back-to-back eagles!
If any other BMC member has equaled that feat, it has yet to come to the attention of The Virtual 19th Hole. Congrats, Doug, on a truly remarkable two-hole feat and a great round!
And another eagle on 8 from Brian
As if we needed any more evidence that number 8 is the BMC’s favorite eagle hole, Brian Walker proved it yet again on September 26— the last day of regular Thursday League play. And what a way to end the regular season. From the D tees, Bryan, whose current USGA handicap is 14.3, hit a good drive, with the ball coming to rest in the fairway 220 yards from the green. From there his well-struck 3-wood rolled right onto the putting surface and settled 15 feet from the cup. He rolled in the putt and went on to shoot an 83, a net score of one-under. Congrats, Brian, on a well-played hole and a solid round!
Finishing the season in style
The BMC’s September highlights have capped off an outstanding year of golf—but with the weather looking to hold, is there any reason not to expect a few more exploits?
Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590