Congrats to Braemar’s 4 Man Team– our squad of Super Seniors captained by Bob Peterson! After making the play-offs with a regular season record of 4-1-1, Braemar’s Over-70 Team beat Monticello on August 19 for the 2025 Class 4B Championship.
Stalwart participants for Braemar throughout the regular season and the playoffs were Mike Kavanaugh (USGA 4.6), Bill Angel (USGA 5.7), John Miller (USGA 8.4), and Captain Peterson (USGA 9.1). Others contributed as well, including yours truly (USGA 9.4), primarily by serving as playing partner with (and cheering section for) Bill Angel in matches where Bill shot 74 and 72, in each case comfortably shooting his age.
Over the course of the season, matches were played from Braemar’s D tees and roughly equivalent boxes at away venues. With traditional best ball scoring, 3 points were awarded for each match: 1 for the front, 1 for the back, and 1 for the 18; one-half point for ties. So, in 4 Man competition, two best ball matches competed for a majority of the 6 available points.
Per the championship format set by the MPGA, the 2025 Champion was to be determined by a home and away series between the first and second place teams, based on total points.
Monticello, with a first-place regular season record of 5-1, chose to play the first of the two championship matches at home, meaning that home field advantage would go to Braemar in the concluding match.
That strategy raised eyebrows. And, at Monticello, Misters Kavanaugh, Angel, Miller and Peterson fought their way to a tie. So, a win at Braemar by any margin would bring the Championship home to Braemar.
Unexpectedly, the Braemar match was headed in the wrong direction after the front nine. Bill and John were all square; and Mike and Bob, down three after their first six holes, finished the front side down one. But things went better over the concluding nine. Mike and Bob stormed back to take the final 9 holes, as well as the 18, and Bill and Bob did the same. Final scores: for the home game: 4.5 – 1.5; for the combined championship series: 7.5 – 4.5.
Tough play both at home and away brought home the bacon– in just their second season, Braemar has claimed the 4 Man, Class B, Championship. Check out the trophy and four happy campers:
Mike Kavanaugh, Captain Bob Peterson, John Miller and Bill Angel bring
the Class 4B Championship home to Braemar
Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590