8 Man Senior Team, A Level
Congrats to Braemar’s 8 Man Senior Team, A level, led by captain Mike Longman! For the third year in a row, they’ve made the finals. Representing the MPGA’s South Division, these uber talented seniors will square off against Keller, representing the North Division, on August 12 for the 8A championship.
On July 29, the 8 Man Team entered the playoffs after an excellent regular season. And they won their first playoff match by a decisive tally of 8-4 against Bunker Hills. Which sent them to the finals. Braemar’s eight contestants in that match were Tim Smith (USGA 4.1), Mike Kavanaugh (USGA 4.5), Al Montague (USGA 9.0), Mark Paetznick (USGA 4.7), Mike Longman (USGA 4.1), Steve Bloomquist (USGA 4.3), Jeff Roseland (USGA plus .2), and Steve DeVolder (USGA 3.8), each of whom was integral to the team’s success during the regular season.
Reaching the playoffs of course reflected a successful regular season, during which the team compiled 34.5 points, second only to Keller’s 37. Scoring is based on the typical three points for each individual match: 1 for the front, 1 for the back and 1 for the 18. But this year Braemar’s total was based on only five matches, compared to the regularly scheduled six (as played by Keller and other teams). What happened was that the match which would have been Braemar’s sixth (against Majestic Oaks) got rained out, and then the rescheduled match also got rained out— and by that time the result would not have affected the final standings anyway. So the match was never played.
4 Man Super Senior Team
The MPGA’s 4 Man Super Senior match play competition, for golfers over 70, is now in its second year, after a successful inaugural season last year. In 2024, Braemar’s 4 Man Team, led by captain Bob Peterson, just missed the playoffs, losing out on a tie breaker.
This year things worked out better, with Braemar finishing with a strong 4-1-1 record, second only to Monticello in regular season play. Integral to Braemar’s success has been the sterling play of Mike Kavanaugh (USGA 4.5), Bill Angel (USGA 5.3), Captain Bob Peterson (USGA 8.9) and John Miller (USGA 9.4).
These top two teams play home and home matches to decide the championship and the winner will be determined based on total points earned over those matches. The first playoff match was held on August 5 at Monticello and ended in a tie. The championship match will be held at Braemar on August 19. Stay tuned.
8 Man Senior Team, C Level
This year, while they just missed making the playoffs, Braemar fielded for the first time an 8 Man Senior Team, C level (also for golfers over 55). Led by captain John Miller, the team finished the regular season with a 3-3 record, missing out on the playoffs by only one-half point. Among the inaugural season’s highlights was an impressive shutout against New Prague on July 7, a 12-0 win at Braemar. Playing for Braemar in that match were Bob Peterson, Steve Iselin, Scott Eckes, Matt Filner, Bill Angel, Dick Helde, Randy Krivo and John Miller. Optimism for next year’s 8C season runs high!
Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590