From left to right: “Mystery Man” Mike Lutz, John Miller, Bob Peterson, Mike Kavanaugh, John Flynn, Bill Angel and Dave Draxler
Each year BMC members find many ways to spend Minnesota’s interminable off-season. Among others: heading to the Dome, traveling south, and, of course, moaning and complaining.
But few of us commit to an off-season golf tradition as adamantine as the Wild West Shootout, contested each March in San Diego. These golfers have been taking this trip for over 25 years.
Their goal: to win the coveted Wild West Shootout Trophy. And while casual observers may assume that the rather ungainly appearance of the cup itself (check out the photo below) suggests a less-than-serious competition, they’d be well off the mark. Because the outward appearance of the trophy belies the elevated status of each year’s winner– at least in the eyes of his fellow competitors.
Just ask this year’s champion, Bob Peterson. Known affectionately by some as “Doc,” Mr. Peterson, captain of the BMC’s 4-Man Traveling Team, bested such BMC stalwarts as Mike Kavanaugh, another key member of the 4-Man Team and a member of our 8-Man Traveling Team; Bill Angel, a past WWS champion, a BMC Age Shooter, and the only BMC member ever to shoot a hole-in-one right before an immediately succeeding ace made by John Miller; Mr. Miller himself; John Flynn; and Dave Draxler. Typically a regular, Tim Smith, a past WWS champion, a two-time BMC Senior Champion, and our reigning Ed Shootout Champion, was unavailable for this year’s Wild West Shootout.
By the way, observe in the photo below the high-quality surgical tape used to inscribe the identity of each year’s champion on the trophy — a less than auspicious nod to future generations, but a revered tradition nevertheless. Also note Mr. Peterson’s determined facial expression. Could he be attempting to warn off any competitors who might be tempted to repeat last year’s mysterious (although temporary) disappearance of the coveted cup?
Finally, no matter how assiduously you study the BMC Member Roster on our website, you won’t find an entry for Mike Lutz, at the far left in the photo above— raising the perplexing question, who is this mystery man? Perhaps the swing coach for John Miller, sitting immediately to his left? A prospective BMC member? Or, more concernedly, a clandestine spy for another club? A tantalizing mystery….
Bob Peterson, The 2025 Wild West Shootout Champion
Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590